On the surface, it appears that Will Rogers will be the starting quarterback for Mississippi State this season, but it won’t be that easy for the sophomore.

“Regardless of who we feel like is ahead in camp we’re going to do it again the first week of (fall) camp,” coach Mike Leach told reporters after practice, per Ben Portnoy.

Leach noted that Rogers will need to earn the job against Jack Abraham, the Southern Miss transfer. There’s also 4-star prospect Sawyer Robertson, who won’t arrive on campus until the summer.

About Rogers, Leach said, “He’s one of those guys that he’s a self-starter when he works. You trip over him in the film room all the time.”

Rogers is trying to build on the production he had during his freshman season last year where he completed at least 58 percent of his passes in all seven games he appeared in.

In positive news for the Bulldogs, Leach said, “I would say this is the healthiest we’ve been since I’ve been here.”

Asked about adding Jay Hopson to an off-field role on his staff, Leach said Hopson “knows Mississippi upside down and sideways,” and that his experience will add to the coaching staff.

The Maroon and White game is scheduled for April 17.