Older Dawgs helped prepare Nic Mitchell for increased role in 2024
For the last two seasons, Mississippi State has housed to the SEC’s top two tacklers in linebackers Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson.
The task for Coleman Hutzler is to replace that production in some form or fashion and the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach plans to do it with depth. As good as the tackling duo was, the concern among fans was the lack of reps for players behind them.
Hutzler likes the crew that he will put on the field this year and it’s shaped by several players that have been waiting their turn as well as some new faces.
“I’m really happy with where that room is at now coming out of the spring. Getting Stone (Blanton) back home has been huge. You look at guys like John Lewis who made the transition a little bit to playing more true inside backer. He’s had a great spring and summer. Nic Mitchell is a guy that has a lot of promise,” Hutzler said.
“I’m excited. Bookie and Jett were two great players. On the other sideline and playing against them, I have a lot of respect for the way they played and how productive they were. But we have a ton of guys that can step up and have a great year.”
Mitchell is a player that not many have mentioned in the offseason, but his preparation in the offseason has been impressive to his teammates and coaches.
The 6’2, 230-pound backer from Jacksonville, Fla., Mitchell was a player that State coaches identified as a steal back during COVID-19. He’s slowly worked his way on to the field the last three seasons but now it’s his time as he’s prepared to play either the Mike or the Dime position for Hutzler.
“Sometimes it’s tough. You’ve got to keep chopping wood and pick up on the good things that the older guys did and use it,” Mitchell said. “It’s been a fun journey and I’m going to keep chopping wood.”
While Mitchell has played in 27 games during his career, he has just 15 tackles and limited snaps on the defensive side of the ball. So what gives him confidence that he’s ready for his new, increased role?
The leadership of Johnson and Watson are at the forefront of his mind. Mitchell spent three seasons learning under those two as well as other players on the Bulldog defense and they set the tone for what’s ahead.
“I think you just show up and take it day by day. You don’t put pressure on yourself, you just play linebacker,” Mitchell said of replacing the production. “We work hard. It’s not like we just sat back while they were on the field just chilling out. We’ve been working this hard and everybody in the room wants to be great.
“We’ve got a lot of depth and I feel like all of those boys are doing good right now. Specifically, (Zakari Tillman) is a young guy that’s coming along and playing fast. Stone (Blanton), (John Lewis) and even JP (Purvis), all of those guys are coming along.”
It’s a new era of football at State and Mitchell is looking to ring it in with style in 2024.
Jeff Lebby has brought some excitement to Starkville but a lot of new faces will be on the field trying to get the Bulldogs on track. With the leadership of Lebby and his staff as well as players like Mitchell, the best could be yet to come. Mitchell is certainly enjoying the ride.
“Coach Lebby has brought great energy to the building and made it really fun. It makes you want to play hard for a coach like that,” Mitchell said. “He brings great energy and always has a smile on his face. He’s making it fun for us.”
