100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 78 Days - No. 78, OL Amari Smith
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 an offensive linemen gearing up for his second year on campus.
100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 78 Days – redshirt freshman OL No. 78, OL Amari Smith
It’s year two for Smith and the big freshman lineman should be prepared to start battling the competition up front.
Smith comes from a talent-rich area of the state in Brookhaven and was a known commodity inside the state of Mississippi. Like many offensive linemen in the state over the years, he flew under the recruiting radar for many schools, but the two big instate institutions offered him as State and Ole Miss both threw their names in the hat.
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The 6’7, 300 pounder was a late offer for both schools as he picked up offers from Leach and his staff on the same day as Ole Miss back in November of 2022. The Bulldogs immediately stood out to the Brookhaven native and he committed shortly after the season finished up.
Smith was rated a three-star recruit and the No. 14 player in the state by On3 his senior year. He earned a spot in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game after the year and was named to the All-State team.
In his first two seasons, Smith has had to work in two different offenses and for two different line coaches, but hopefully things settle in for the blocker with new coach Cody Kennedy on the line.
While it’s unlikely the redshirt freshmen cracks into the lineup in year two, he could see some special teams snaps this year and some playing time.
