Jeff Phelps understands that Jordan Davis is a key figure on Mississippi State’s defensive line, and the junior defensive end will be counted on to produce after he returned from an ACL injury that ended his 2021 season.

“It’s outstanding,” said Phelps, the defensive line coach. “He brings a lot of energy to the position. He’s a big, physical strong guy. He’s still learning because obviously missing all of last year. But he’s right on schedule, we feel good about where he’s at, and hopefully we can keep going the right direction.”

Phelps was also asked about how the veterans are responding to fall camp as it enters the full pads portion.

“They’re responding well,” he said Sunday after the first day in pads. “We saw some good things, saw some things we’ve got to improve on, but they’re bringing great leadership, and they’re working on their details, they know the defense. It’s the same defense they’ve been running the last 2 years. So there’s a familiarity with that, so now they can concentrate on their details as far as pash rushing and defending the run plays.”

Here are several of the interviews from Sunday:

Two years ago, Davis made 22 total tackles, 7 solo tackles, and 1 pass breakup in 9 games played.

Davis came into the Bulldogs program as a junior college transfer from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in the spring of 2020. He was a 4-star prospect and fifth-ranked junior college transfer in the 2020 recruiting class by 247Sports.