WATCH: Mississippi State left tackle Makylan Pounders confident in offensive skill performers

Back in January, Makylan Pounders began his journey at Mississippi State but he was still in familiar territory. Once committed to the Bulldogs while playing at Byhalia High School, the junior left tackle spent his first two seasons starting at Memphis and was one of the top offensive line transfers this past offseason.

It hasn’t taken Pounders long to grasp his new responsibilities at State, which includes an immediate leadership role. Following Tuesday’s practice Pounders met with local reporters to discuss training camp and the upcoming campaign:

Q: We haven’t spoken to you since the spring. How have things been lately and how comfortable are you in this program now?
Pounders: I am very comfortable with the offense. I am very comfortable with the guys I’m playing next to. Since the last time we’ve spoken, we’ve all been trying to build a relationship with each other and get ready for the season. So it’s been good.

Q: Does it help the chemistry with all of these transfers coming in at the same time on the offensive line?
Pounders: Honestly, it almost feels like a family and I know I’ve said that before. Me coming back and then a couple of guys coming in that’s new, the other guys that have been here have been doing a really good job of making us feel comfortable and making us feel like, hey, I know y’all are coming from other places but we are all part of this now. So it’s been great getting along with these guys.

Q: Coach Cody Kennedy seems like a fun guy to talk to. Is he like that off the field, too?
Pounders: He’s the same person everywhere he goes. That’s his identity that he prides himself on. He doesn’t have to be that guy that’s always yelling. He really loves this game and expresses his passion on us. So we love it just as much as he to come out here and work every day. So he’s the same guy.

Q: What have you seen from center Ethan Miner so far in camp?
Pounders: Ethan has been doing a great job leading the group. He’s one of those guys that isn’t just an Oline leader but a team leader. He does just does everything right. He’s one of those guys that when he talks in a room everybody listens and everybody respects him. He’s going to be a key piece for us as far as leadership goes.

Q: How valuable is a guy like Albert Reese on the offensive line?
Pounders: Not only is he one of those guys that you can put at tackle, but he’s also played inside, he’s played left, he’s played right. So having that kind of versatility is going to do a lot for us during the season.

Q: Who gives you the most trouble on the defensive front?
Pounders: Tre (Trevion) Williams is a guy. Another guy that y’all probably haven’t heard enough from is Kai McClendon. He’s a younger guy but he’s been making a lot of noise this fall camp, really making himself known on the depth chart. So I would say Tre, Ty Cooper and Kai McClendon are three guys that have really been pushing me in fall camp.

Q: Do you feel like the real camp starts when full pads are on?
Pounders: Honestly, I agree with them but I also disagree with them because us in the trenches get it anyway. It is hard to avoid things but as far as the perimeter and them being able to hit guys, I’m excited for that because Mississippi State prides itself on being a physical team. So we will put that on display (Wednesday) and it’s going to be real fun to watch.

Q: How it’s been getting to know Jacoby Jackson?
Pounders: Jacoby, when we actually moved in together he was my roommate. So we came in in January and he was the first guy I met. I committed before him but I knew of him in the transfer portal and I wanted to get him here because he’s a great guy. He does everything right and he’s also one of those guys you can put in multiple different spots. He’s moved out to right tackle and gotten reps, and left guard. He’s gotten reps everywhere so he’s going to be one of those guys that makes a difference for us, as well, as far as being able to play anywhere.

Q: Do you consider yourself versatile or do you like to stick with one position?
Pounders: I tell coach all the time that I want to be prepared for anything. Obviously, I have aspirations of going to the next level but you never really know. But as far as my role here, he has told me I’m going to be left tackle. But even in my free time when I am working on my craft, I always work left and the right side. So I feel I am prepared to go either way.

Q: How long does it take to get that chemistry down with the offensive line?
Pounders: I think offensive line chemistry is one of the toughest things because it’s the only group on the field that has to play in unison and if you’re not you can notice it. For us, I feel we are in a great spot now but we’ve got so much room to get closer and grow closer. That just comes with repetition and time. Obviously in the spring, it is not as critical as it is now. For us, we embrace it out there when we mess up and make the wrong calls. You have to mess up in order to know. We’ve been trying to embrace that part and even if we mess up, we have to play as a unit and be one unit. Ultimately, that is going to give us time to move the ball and do what we need to do.

Q: What’s it like protecting Blake Shapen?
Pounders: Blake, I ain’t gonna lie, Blake is fun to block for because I know he’s gonna sit back there and throw the ball. Even if not, it is fun watching him use his legs, too. Hopefully he won’t have to use them as much this year but it’s fun blocking for Blake.

Q: Outside of the starting group, who are some of the younger guys that have caught your attention?
Pounders: Me being a tackle and dealing with them a lot, Jimothy Lewis and Luke Work both have traits as young guys that you can not teach. They’re both athletic. They both do good things on tape that they don’t even realize. They might think they messed up on a play but it just looks freaky athletic. I feel like it’s up to guys like me or Ethan or Jacoby to take those two under our wing and get them prepared for when it’s their job. Them guys can go to the league, for sure.

Q: How is it run blocking in this offense?
Pounders: Yeah I was about to say with the backs we got running, run blocking is pretty easy. We’ve got guys that can make plays and make guys miss. They make our job way easier than it should be and we pride ourselves on being a physical group. But they take a lot of the weight off our backs sometimes with the skills they’ve got.

Q: Who are some of the running backs that have stood out to you?
Pounders: Davon Booth. He just came in and he’s going to be a stud for us this year. Jeffery Pittman, the thing that stands out about him is just a mindset. He has skills and you have different things that you are better than other people at. But I think for him, he just runs angry every play. That’s something that we are going to use to our advantage.