Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Hargrove Having An Immediate Impact
October 22, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – It is always an advantage when a freshman arrives on campus and can contribute right away.
Such was the case for Ke'Travion Hargrove. The former four-star running back is one of only five true freshmen to play for Mississippi State in the first half of the season.
Hargrove, a 5-foot-11, 195-pounder, appeared in the Bulldogs' first three contests and still has another game he could possibly play in and still receive a redshirt this season should the coaches choose to go that route with him.
"It's been fun getting that experience early," Hargrove said. "I've been getting in on special teams a little bit and feeling everything out and see how the atmosphere feels in college."
The Ruston, Louisiana native even made his collegiate debut against his hometown school – Louisiana Tech – on Sept. 4.
"That really meant a lot because I saw some of my old teammates from high school there," Hargrove said. "I chopped it up with Caleb Phillips after the game. LA Tech is in my hometown so that really meant a lot."
In fact, Hargrove was actually committed to Louisiana Tech for two months before deciding to open his recruitment back up. He picked up plenty of other offers as well from schools such as Baylor, Boston College, Florida State, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, SMU and South Carolina.
Hargrove pledged his services to Mississippi State in January to test his talents against the best.
"I wanted to come to the SEC – the top tier division of play," Hargrove said.
Hargrove also liked Mike Leach's Air Raid offense and how it utilizes running backs both on the ground and in the passing game.
"I want to be an all-around back," Hargrove said. "I really like Alvin Kamara's game. That's my favorite running back and I like how he comes out of the backfield and catches the ball and runs it at the same time. I figured the Air Raid would be the best way to get my hands right because I felt like my running game was already good. Coming to the Air Raid will help me progress every skill that I have altogether."
Nicknamed "Bulldog" and later shortened to "Bull" by his grandfather as a child, Hargrove rushed for 1,537 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior at Ruston High School. His senior season was hampered by a knee injury which kept him sidelined for several games but still managed to gain 793 yards and 11 scores in limited action.
"Bull is one of the best running backs I've had the opportunity to coach," said Ruston High School head coach Jerrod Baugh. "His acceleration is exceptional. He catches the ball well out of the backfield, which creates mismatches against defenses. He should fit in very nicely with the style of offense that is played at Mississippi State."
Although Hargrove has three games of experience under his belt now, he is still getting acclimated to the size, speed and strength that the college game presents.
"Everything is a lot more and it's faster," Hargrove said. "You've got to process everything all while doing schoolwork at the same time. I'm just trying to get used to it. It's been a big jump. I feel like everybody is at your speed and at your level so there's more work that you've got to put into it. You have to wake up early and put in the extra work on your own."
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Such was the case for Ke'Travion Hargrove. The former four-star running back is one of only five true freshmen to play for Mississippi State in the first half of the season.
Hargrove, a 5-foot-11, 195-pounder, appeared in the Bulldogs' first three contests and still has another game he could possibly play in and still receive a redshirt this season should the coaches choose to go that route with him.
"It's been fun getting that experience early," Hargrove said. "I've been getting in on special teams a little bit and feeling everything out and see how the atmosphere feels in college."
The Ruston, Louisiana native even made his collegiate debut against his hometown school – Louisiana Tech – on Sept. 4.
"That really meant a lot because I saw some of my old teammates from high school there," Hargrove said. "I chopped it up with Caleb Phillips after the game. LA Tech is in my hometown so that really meant a lot."
In fact, Hargrove was actually committed to Louisiana Tech for two months before deciding to open his recruitment back up. He picked up plenty of other offers as well from schools such as Baylor, Boston College, Florida State, Michigan State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, SMU and South Carolina.
Hargrove pledged his services to Mississippi State in January to test his talents against the best.
"I wanted to come to the SEC – the top tier division of play," Hargrove said.
Hargrove also liked Mike Leach's Air Raid offense and how it utilizes running backs both on the ground and in the passing game.
"I want to be an all-around back," Hargrove said. "I really like Alvin Kamara's game. That's my favorite running back and I like how he comes out of the backfield and catches the ball and runs it at the same time. I figured the Air Raid would be the best way to get my hands right because I felt like my running game was already good. Coming to the Air Raid will help me progress every skill that I have altogether."
Nicknamed "Bulldog" and later shortened to "Bull" by his grandfather as a child, Hargrove rushed for 1,537 yards and 20 touchdowns as a junior at Ruston High School. His senior season was hampered by a knee injury which kept him sidelined for several games but still managed to gain 793 yards and 11 scores in limited action.
"Bull is one of the best running backs I've had the opportunity to coach," said Ruston High School head coach Jerrod Baugh. "His acceleration is exceptional. He catches the ball well out of the backfield, which creates mismatches against defenses. He should fit in very nicely with the style of offense that is played at Mississippi State."
Although Hargrove has three games of experience under his belt now, he is still getting acclimated to the size, speed and strength that the college game presents.
"Everything is a lot more and it's faster," Hargrove said. "You've got to process everything all while doing schoolwork at the same time. I'm just trying to get used to it. It's been a big jump. I feel like everybody is at your speed and at your level so there's more work that you've got to put into it. You have to wake up early and put in the extra work on your own."
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Players Mentioned
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