Bulldog transfers continue as Alabama game looms
By Myra Bean
On the eve of Mississippi State football team playing its biggest opponent of the season, three more players have entered the transfer portal with another three expected to enter soon.
In what is being dubbed a mass exodus, Mississippi State is in jeopardy of losing seven players within one week. Sophomore Garrett Shrader entered the portal first and then rumors of Kylin Hill entering the portal.
Robbie Faulk of 247 Sports listed new transfers of sophomore quarterback Jaylen Mayden, freshman offensive lineman Nick Pendley and senior running back Kareem Walker. The three expected to enter the portal according to Faulk are junior wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, junior defensive end Tre Lawson and freshman defensive end Jamari Stewart.
Though the last three are not official, their announcements are expected shortly, according to Faulk.
There is no response from head coach Mike Leach on the transfers as the Bulldogs have had worse and worse showings since the first week’s win over LSU.
Leach harped on his topic of lessons throughout this season was consistency in the press conference Monday. It showed on Leach’s face and body language that he is not enjoying what he is seeing in the Bulldog organization.
Granted the press conference followed practice, but Leach’s face and countenance could be described by novelist as long and bothered, no smirk or smile.
The Bulldogs (1-3) will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the undefeated Alabama Crimsom Tide (5-0). Alabama is averaging 48 points per game. The Bulldogs are averaging 18.5 points per game.
A staggering offensive stat is that the opponents have scored 45 points off Bulldog turnovers, 12 interceptions and four fumbles. The offense has 1,430 passing yards and 114 rushing yards.
Mississippi State is coming off a bye week and Leach said they had some good, hard practices. Since the team is young, Leach said they concentrated more on fundamentals.
Eyes are on the quarterback situation at Mississippi State as K.J. Costello and Will Rogers are expected to continue to split reps.
“Leach said he does not like to have quarterbacks splitting reps. “I like to settle on one. I would prefer that approach, but we’ve been awfully up and down. We need to figure out who gives us the best spark. It’s definitely competitive at the position this week,” Leach said.
Leach admitted he is concerned if he starts Rogers, who is a freshman, in this big game coming up.
The key to containing quarterback Mac Jones is sound play by the Bulldog defense, according to Leach.
The Halloween edition game will kickoff at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
