Mike Leach comments on Mississippi State having as many SEC All-Freshman Team members as any team in the league
Published:
Mississippi State certainly had a rough patch in the middle of Mike Leach’s debut season but the Bulldogs finished the season on a high note, winning its final regular season game against Missouri in dominant fashion and playing arguably its best football (outside of the historic opener on the road against LSU) late in the season in matchups against Georgia and Ole Miss.
Following the conclusion of the team’s 3-7 season (with a bowl game against Tulsa still to play), the Bulldogs had three players selected to the Coaches’ SEC All-Freshman Team.
Offensive tackle Charles Cross, receiver Jaden Walley, and defensive back Emmanuel Forbes all made the team. The three selections on the Coaches’ SEC All-Freshman Team tied Mississippi State with Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and LSU as each program had three players make the team.
No SEC team had four selections.
During his Sunday evening media availability, Leach was asked about what these selections say about the emerging talent on his Mississippi State roster.
“We’re excited about it,” Leach answered. “We’re excited that the young guys got the recognition they did, and there were some others that I think would be very close. Of course, Charles Cross, Emmanuel Forbes and Jaden Walley for the SEC All-Freshman team.
“I’m sure Will Rogers was probably pretty close. He didn’t have as many games as the guy that won it, the guy at Missouri that was a good quarterback, too. I wish I could remember his name. No disrespect, I just don’t remember. I’m thinking about Tulsa now. At any rate, we have pretty good freshmen that, although they weren’t freshman all-SEC, they were good players for us.”
The future in Starkville isn’t only bright because of young talent, either.
During the Sunday press conference, Leach indicated some seniors could be returning to Mississippi State next season after the NCAA decided to give out a free season of eligibility to all players in 2020.
“Some of the guys are kind of thinking it through, it seems like. But some are coming back,” Leach said of the seniors in Starkville.
Leach did not reveal any names, noting things could change and NFL evaluations are ongoing, but he appeared optimistic that the Bulldogs will have a nice mix of young, emerging talent and veterans with the necessary experience to compete next fall at Mississippi State.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
