Mississippi State football: 3 position battles to watch and predictions

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football opens preseason practices on Friday – its first under coach Zach Arnett. While the Bulldogs return plenty of production from a nine-win season, there are questions to be answered before the 2023 season opener against Southeastern Louisiana on Sept. 2.

Position battles are perhaps the most intriguing part of the hot August days. It brings competition in a period where the only foes are teammates, and for Mississippi State, there are at least three crucial spots to be filled.

Here’s a look at the most important position battles for the Bulldogs.

Safety

With most of its front six returning, the main questions for defensive coordinator Matt Brock come in the secondary. The Bulldogs have three starters – Jalen Green, Jackie Matthews and Collin Duncan – to replace at safety.

Sixth-year player Shawn Preston Jr. came out of spring practice as an obvious solution. His veteran presence and experience of playing under Arnett and Brock will be crucial. Beyond him, questions remain.

Marcus Banks, who transferred from Alabama but didn’t see much playing time in 2022, is moving from cornerback to safety. Corey Ellington, who is entering his junior season, appeared in 11 games last year and should be an early favorite to start.

However, a pair of transfers will be pushing for playing time. Keep an eye on Kentucky transfer Ja’Kobi Albert and Indiana transfer Chris Keys as the season opener approaches.

Prediction: Preston, Banks and Ellington start in Week 1.

No. 2 cornerback

Mississippi State lost Emmanuel Forbes, the FBS all-time leader in interceptions returned for touchdowns, to the NFL. Decamerion Richardson, who played alongside Forbes, will step into the top corner spot.

Who will be the No. 2 corner behind him? Esaias Furdge came out of spring practice as the favorite. Like Preston, he is a sixth-year player who has battled for playing time. It appears 2023 will be his chance to prove his worth.

However, newcomers and young players will push for his spot. DeCarlos Nicholson is entering his second season. He was part of Mississippi State’s 2022 signing class as the No. 2 junior college prospect in the state.

Khamauri Rogers, a former four-star prospect, is back in his home state after transferring from Miami. Hunter Washington transferred in from Florida State ahead of last season and appeared in nine games.

Prediction: Furdge starts alongside Richardson in Week 1.

SAM linebacker

Mississippi State returns sixth-year linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson. Johnson led the SEC in tackles while Watson finished in second. However, they come back without the third member of their impressive linebacker group.

Tyrus Wheat is gone in pursuit of an NFL career. Replacing him at SAM linebacker will likely be John Lewis or J.P. Purvis – or a blend of the two splitting reps.

Lewis is entering his third season after signing as a four-star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class. Purvis, who earned a start last year when Watson was suspended for a half following a targeting penalty, is entering his fifth season.

Prediction: Purvis starts alongside Johnson and Watson in Week 1.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.