Co-DC Matt Barnes believes Bulldog safeties being slept on in 2024

Mississippi State’s offense isn’t the only thing that will look different this season on the football field as the Bulldogs are preparing for year one under Jeff Lebby.

The first year head coach hired Coleman Hutzler and Matt Barnes as co-defensive coordinators for the 2024 season and both bring a lot of experience on the major stage. Neither are entering their first rodeo under those titles, but life will be a little different for both.

Barnes is coaching the Bulldog safeties and has one of the more talented groups on the defensive side of the football. He discussed what he’s identifying in players in the recruiting process, players like sophomore Isaac Smith and more with his first meeting with the State media.

Question: What were you looking for in recruiting for guys that can help you this season?

MB: “You always want to go get guys that help your room get better and we felt like we got some good players. The other thing is being aware of the culture fit and what is going to be the dynamics of adding this player to our locker room. I think we got a mix of great players but also really good young men.”

Q: Tell us a little bit about the guys that you brought over from Memphis.

MB: “Traveon Wright was there as well as DeAgo Brumfield. Two traditional corners that fit exactly that mold that I mentioned a moment ago. Great athletes that love football and great dudes. Those guys have assimilated quickly in our locker room and I’m excited about those guys this year.”

Q: State has had history recently of some great cornerbacks. Could Brice Pollock be the next in line?

MB: “He’s a really good player. He loves to play. He’s got the best trait that any corner can have which is being a competitor. He loves to compete. He’s got a great feel for the game. He’s got a lot of upside. I think he can write his own ticket.”

Q: Players have talked about you guys liking the versatility in the defensive backfield. What are you looking for in a defensive back?

MB: “That’s a tricky question. It just depends. I’ve heard people use the analogy when recruiting a receiver it’s like recruiting a basketball team. You want a couple of big guys, some guys somewhere in the middle and then some outside guys. Similarly, from a defensive standpoint, you want some guys that will put their nose in there and defend the run, you’re going to need a guy that will go out and defend in space and everybody has that little punt return guy to cover in the slot. You don’t want to be a one-trick pony. You want to have some versatility there.

“Particularly in the SEC, it’s such a battle of attrition that if you’re a one-position guy, we get six, eight, 12 weeks into this thing we’re going to have to move some guys around to keep the best players on the field. Versatility adds another layer.”

Q: Who fills those roles for your team?

MB: “Too early to single anybody out in particular. Ask me that question after training camp.”

Q: What has stood out to you about coaching and recruiting in the SEC so far?

MB: “Just how much it matters. This press conference looks a lot different than the press conferences I’ve had the last few years. That’s what we want. If you’re a competitor and you love football, it’s about having a chance to compete and play against the best. That’s what you get every day. When you have this caliber of football, you’re going to have the highest caliber of media out there. You’re going to get high caliber coaches, high caliber players, big stadiums packed full of fans. Lots to look forward to.”

Q: What impact has speed training had on your group?

MB: “Our guys in our training staff do a phenomenal job. They’re the best in the country. I think our team is really fit, fast and ready for the season.”

Q: How do you describe coach Hutzler and what’s it been like working with him?

MB: “Coach Hutz and I go way back. I was a grad assistant at another SEC school and he was the special teams coordinator at the time. We’ve had a great friendship for a long time. Like-minded people. He’s extremely intelligent; super detail-oriented, but also relates to the players and staff. It’s the most fun I’ve ever had in coaching is this experience so far.”

Q: People are down on this defensive backs group but why would you say you’re high on this group?

MB: “I think we’ve got a lot of guys with chips on their shoulders and that’s what you want. We’re right where we want to be. I hope everybody is sleeping on us and thinks we’re not very good – that’s where we want to be. We know we’ve got hungry players that love to compete.” 

Q: What have you seen from Isaac Smith?

MB: “He is who he is every day – great leader, a vocal guy when it’s hard to find vocal players. He’s vocal on and off the field and he’s not afraid to tell you that this can be better. The safety position is the quarterback of the defense and he’s done a nice job with that for us and gets the defense lined up which is a huge part of it. We’ve got a lot to look forward to with him.”

Q: Can you see the growth that he’s made even from the spring to now?

MB: “Anytime you’ve got a kid like that – and we’ve got a lot of guys like that not just Isaac… Guys that are coachable and wanting to improve, at this level you’re competing at such a high level, it’s sink or swim and the guys that want it swim. They figure it out and get better. That’s the magic of the SEC is the caliber of player you’re up against every day forces you to become the best version of yourself.

“When you’re dedicated and coachable and committed and do the right things all the time, that’s what you see with a guy like Isaac.”