100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 21 Days - No. 21, S Hunter Washington and RB Davon Booth

Jeff Lebby’s era of Mississippi State football has arrived.

The Bulldogs are on their third coach in as many years as Mike Leach’s tragic passing opened the door for defensive coordinator Zach Arnett’s debut as head coach last year. That experiment failed before the year even ended for State and now it’s Lebby’s turn to take the wheel.

While there is always a risk in hiring first time head coaches, Lebby brings to Starkville an exciting offensive scheme that has been productive everywhere he’s been. The coach has also brought with him some swagger that has the fanbase ready to see what’s next.

Over the course of the next 100 days, we will take a look at Lebby’s roster and even some fun historical rewinds that will bring back memories for Dawg fans of all ages.

Today, we look at a couple of players that are having big training camps ahead of the season.

100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 21 Days

 No. 21, Jr. S Hunter Washington               

It’s year three for Washington in Starkville and this year is shaping up to be his most impactful.

After beginning his career with Florida State, Washington is getting fully developed in Starkville. He played in nine games as a redshirt freshman in his first year with three tackles and followed that up by becoming a starter at safety for the Bulldogs last season.

Washington started in four of the five games he played and then missed the last five games as he dealt with injuries while making six tackles and recovering a fumble.

The Katy (Texas) alum, Washington was considered a top-20 cornerback nationwide. FSU, Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, Penn State, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, USC and a host of others offered. FSU would land Washington and he would spend his first season in Tallahassee as the team’s special teams and scout team Player of the Year.

Now that he’s in a new system, Washington is emerging as one of the Bulldogs’ best defenders in the secondary. He’s worked at several different spots in the defensive backfield over the last three years, but he looks to be a boundary safety for Matt Barnes’ group this season and is locking down a starting spot.

No. 21, Sr. RB Davon Booth

State was looking for a veteran playmaker at running back in the transfer portal and the Bulldogs got that in Davon Booth.

The 5’10, 205-pound all-purpose back comes to State from Utah State where he was a highly productive playmaker. But his production wasn’t just limited to his last stop – Booth has been good everywhere he’s been.

A native of Las Vegas, Booth played his high school ball in California at El Monte High School. He was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020, but Booth was completely glossed over by multiple networks.

It wasn’t for lack of electricity on his part as he put together two incredible seasons on the football field his junior and senior years. As a junior, Booth rushed 161 times for 2,429 yards and 31 touchdowns. He followed that with 239 carries as a senior for 2,935 yards and 36 scores and had another 22 receptions for 627 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Not even the eye-popping numbers could get him on many radars, however, as his only reported offer came from San Jose State. Booth would land at Cerritos College in the Junior College system and his interest would pick up a tick.

As a freshman, Booth had 564 yards and seven touchdowns rushing with another 171 yards and a score receiving. Those numbers took a jump his sophomore year as he rushed 223 times for 1,422 yards and eight scores and 179 receiving yards with two touchdowns. His sophomore season saw him land First-Team All-American honors. He would sign with Utah State to get his shot in the FBS.

Booth started seven games last year for the Aggies as he picked up 120 carries for 805 yards and six touchdowns. He had three games of 100 yards or more and put together some electric moments for the team. His big season led to some new opportunities, and he would enter the transfer portal.

After the Bulldogs lost a commitment from RB Rashad Amos from Miami (OH), the focus would immediately shift to Booth and Lebby was able to get him on board. All indications are that Booth is going to be State’s RB1, but the senior is going to have to contend with veteran backs Keyvone Lee and Jeffery Pittman as well as JUCO transfer Johnnie Daniels.