Jeff Lebby talks freshmen standouts, Blake Shapen, cornerback room and more

With just a couple of weeks remaining before Mississippi State hits the football field at Davis Wade Stadium for the Maroon and White Spring Game, Jeff Lebby’s squad continues to work.

State is deep into spring practice as the Bulldogs are trying to improve on a dismal 2-10 season. The coach went out and upgraded the roster at several position groups and added depth across the board and it has stood out to him in the early stages of spring.

On Tuesday morning, he spoke to the media about the continued preparation, his freshmen class, potential transfer portal additions and more.

Question: What did you think of the scrimmage last Saturday?

JL: “There was a bunch of back and forth. Offensively, we made some really explosive plays and defensively we created some turnovers and situationally had a really good scrimmage. The messaging has continued to be the same. Offensively we’ve got to sustain with all three groups and defensively keep the ball in front of us at all times. That’s going to be the stress. Regardless of who’s out there, the expectation is to be able to execute. We’ve seen a lot of good things from a lot of guys. We need to get better as we finish this thing out.”

Q: What have you seen from the freshmen so far?

JL: “I’ve tried to continue to talk to those guys about not having any freshman lull. They were incredibly excited day one for spring ball and day one of winter workouts. Now that we’re into it a little bit, making sure there’s not this lull and their energy and attitude matches what it was day one. Day one excitement should carry us all the way through. That’s the biggest thing for them as we’ve gotten into it and been a little bit of a grind for them.”

Q: You’ve obviously spent a lot of time with KaMario Taylor, but are there other guys in that freshman class that have impressed you?

JL: “We’ve got a pretty good group. Offensively, Gracen (Harris) has had a really good spring and is a guy that has a chance to be a really good player for us and do some good things in the slot. Kolin Wilson has had a really good spring. Those two guys are ahead of where most guys are as true freshmen. That’s been really good to see.

“On the defensive side, Tyler (Lockhart) has done a good job continuing to grow inside the scheme understanding what the expectation is. Just an incredible athlete that has a chance to be a great player. Excited about where he’s at and where he’s going.”

Q: You’ve talked about adding to the offensive line in the portal, are there any other positions you’re targeting when it opens next week?

JL: “I think offensive line will be priority one. Tight end’s got a chance to be in the fold as well. As we continue to move through that, those pieces will be important for us to be able to go add.”

Q: What have you seen from the defensive side so far and their pursuit of trying to pressure the ball more this year?

JL: “We’ve talked a ton about it. That was something that had to be a huge step for us in the right direction on both sides of the ball. Defensively, we’ve got to find a way to create negative plays and get sacks. Offensively, it’s the exact same on the other side of the coin. That’s been a stress for us this spring.

“I see both sides of the ball fighting to improve that situationally and we have. I think we’ve done a nice job finding ways to create pressure and not always having to blitz to create it. We have some pass rushers that can get it done which is nice to see.”

Q: How much different is it for you this spring to call plays when you’re looking at a front that is more like what you expect to see?

JL: “We’re getting better. Our roster is in a better place today than it was a year ago and that part is not even close. The most promising thing to me is that we’ve been able to practice in a way that we’ve needed in order to develop the roster. You look at it and it was 150 plays this last Saturday and maybe a little more than that. Same thing the Saturday before. We were nowhere close to that last spring. It’s because we have the bodies that can go practice.

“We’re practicing in a better way when we’re not live because there’s better athletes and we understand what the expectation is. We’ve gotten better. We’ve got to get a lot better over the next week in a half to be where we want to be as we finish the spring.”

Q: Kalvin Dinkins has been working back from injury. What have you seen from him this spring and how important is he for your defensive line?

JL: “It’s really important. I’m just hopeful that he can have the year that we think he’s capable of having. For him, being able to stay on the field is first and foremost. We’ve been really slow with him and he’s worked his butt off to get himself back to a really good place. We won’t rush that over the next nine or 10 days, but proud of how he’s worked and the teammate he’s been at this point.”

Q: What’s been Blake Shapen’s role as leader with the younger guys?

JL: “The guy that needs to set the expectation and tone for the room every day so those guys understand that we’re living and dying on every single snap, every single minute of every single meeting. That’s how we have to prepare. Blake’s done a really good job at that and those guys have taken to that. The room is in a great place right now and I can not be more excited about those three guys and where we’re at. We’ve got a ton of work to do to get better but we’ve got talented guys in that room and that’s big.”

Q: Blake has had the history of injuries and they’ve all been kind of different. Have there been conversations about approaching the game differently?

JL: “There’s been a lot of conversations. Don’t take unnecessary hits. I’ve said it forever, one of the things you love about Blake the most is how he plays the game. The kid will go die for you. I want to make sure that he’s playing every single snap the entire year. So just trying to find ways to make sure he’s healthy. What we call ‘dive out of danger’ while taking care of the football and understanding situational football will be huge for him. He’s going to always have his edge, but him being smart with the ball in his hands in the open field will be important.”

Q: It looks like you’ve come through spring so far with very little damage in terms of injuries?

JL: “Thank you (knocks on podium). We need to finish that way. I do think we’re practicing in a better way because we’ve got better bodies that we needed to be able to practice the way we had to practice.”

Q: What does Davon Booth add in his return as a leader on and off the field?

JL: “He’s a guy that’s lived it. Really good for guys like Fluff (Bothwell) and Kolin that got here midyear and created some expectations for them in the room to understand what it’s going to be like to be a running back here and play for coach (Anthony Tucker). I think those guys have done a really good job taking to Von and who he is as a guy that’s returning after having a really good year.”

Q: How do you evaluate the cornerbacks so far and will you upgrade that position in the spring portal?

JL: “Kelley (Jones) has had a really good spring and excited about the step he’s taken in the right direction. We’ve got some quality depth there whether it’s (Amarien Jefferson), DeAgo (Brumfield), Jayven (Williams) or Tre Wright. We’ve got a lot of guys at that position that have competed in a really good way. Elijah (Cannon) has had a really nice spring and done some good things. We’ll take the right one if need be, but I feel really good about where that room is today as long as we continue to develop and grow up until week one.”