100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 76 Days - No. 76, OL Albert Reese
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 blocker that is ready to have a huge season.
100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 76 Days – No. 76, Jr. OL Albert Reese
Potential has always been high for Reese over the years and he has been on track to do big things.
This year could be his biggest year yet as Reese has worked himself into the starting lineup conversation as a junior. Reese is a player that has played at four of the five offensive line spots at some point of his career in Starkville. He’s been a contender at the tackle and guard spots and that only makes his importance grow heading into his fourth year on campus.
A native of Edmonton, Alberta in Canada, Reese played his high school ball in Florida at Clearwater Academy. During his senior season, Reese started to gain national attention and offers came in from Ole Miss, Rutgers, Syracuse, West Virginia, Central Florida, Oklahoma State, Michigan State, Maryland and many others.
Before the start of his final season, Reese committed to Rutgers. The Bulldogs came in and offered Reese in December and immediately got his attention. By signing day two weeks later, he flipped his commitment to State.
Reese was big, powerful and athletic and it was easy for coaches to see that his best days were ahead of him. Even in year one, Leach and his offensive line coach Mason Miller had him on the field in a few games while maintaining his redshirt with the plan of playing him in year two.
In 2022, Reese got a chance to get on the field in every ball game and he even earned his first start by the end of the year when the Bulldogs played Illinois in the ReliaQuest Bowl in Tampa.
Under coach Arnett and offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay last season, Reese played in all 12 games and allowed just two quarterback hurries in 79 snaps with no sacks. He enters year four as a redshirt junior and already has a college degree.
This year is slated to be Reese’s best yet as he will be competing for a full-time starter under Lebby and new coach Cody Kennedy. Reese started at left guard for the Bulldogs in the spring game, but it’s not yet known if that will be his spot in the fall or if he might be back at tackle.
