Need another sign that those in the know have lofty aspirations for Mississippi State in 2018? Hail State backup linebacker Willie Gay was recently compared to reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year Roquan Smith by one of the most respected talent evaluators in the Southeast.

While noting Gay was a backup last season is accurate, that has more to do with some of the linebackers already entrenched on the roster by the time the freshman arrived on campus in Starkville. After playing in all 13 games for Mississippi State last season and getting acclimated to the collegiate game, there’s a good chance Gay seems a significantly larger role in the defense for MSU in 2018.

So much so that CBS Sports college football writer and 247Sports recruiting director Barton Simmons compared Gay to Georgia’s former standout linebacker. While Smith’s college days are behind him as he prepares to hear his name called in the 2018 NFL Draft, Gay’s rise to stardom could begin this fall in Starkville.

According to Simmons, Gay is having a “big spring” camp and could be poised to be one of the SEC’s breakout performers.

For those still not believing in Mississippi State’s chances to compete for the SEC West title in 2018, there may be no greater sign than a current backup on the roster being compared to one of the best linebackers in recent SEC history.