Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Sharp Returning For Another Season
December 17, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – LaQuinston Sharp could have easily walked away from football last year.
As a senior in 2020, Sharp played in mostly a reserve role at offensive guard and graduated with a degree in psychology in December of that year.
But Sharp wasn't satisfied with his career coming to an end and decided to come back for one more year in maroon and white since he had an optional COVID-19 season of eligibility left.
And Sharp has certainly made the most of it. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder made the switch to center in the spring and started every game for the Bulldogs this fall. He was selected SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week following the win over then No. 12 Kentucky and earned an honorable mention on Pro Football Focus' All-SEC team.
When the regular season ended, the former junior college transfer applied for a waiver for another year of eligibility from the NCAA since he missed most of his sophomore season at East Mississippi due to an ankle injury.
"I was just hoping and praying that I'd get another year," said Sharp, who only appeared in two games for the Lions in 2018.
The NCAA granted his request on Thursday and Sharp will be back snapping for Mississippi State in 2022.
"It's a blessing to be able to play ball again in college," Sharp said. "It means a lot to me because I'll get to work on the things I want to work on and better myself. I can be a better player and a better man."
Sharp learned the NCAA's ruling following a team workout on Thursday afternoon. His position coach, Mason Miller, delivered the good news in a way that only he could.
"Q, you've got to get better today," Miller said. "You know why? Because you're going to be stuck with me for another year. You got your year back."
Sharp smiled and raised his arm in the air as his teammates and coaches began celebrating with him.
One player who may have been the happiest to learn Sharp will be back in Starkville for another season is quarterback Will Rogers. Sharp is the one responsible for making the pre-snap reads and protection calls for the entire offensive line.
"People ask me all the time about our offensive line," Rogers said. "They like to talk about Charles Cross and rightfully so. He's a guy that's 300-plus pounds and moves like a wide receiver. But they should be talking about LaQuinston Sharp more for what he does for our offense.
"He's so football smart. When you get out here and see the calls that he's making and the protections that he's setting, it's just truly amazing how football savvy he is. He means a lot to me and keeps me the safe because he's calling the protections. I'm truly grateful that 'Q' is our center."
The bond between a center and his quarterback is critical to a team's success and Sharp and Rogers have grown quite close over the course of the last year.
"Will is my dog," Sharp said. "We've gotten way closer and talk every day and even hang out sometimes. We've just got that bond, a brother bond."
Sharp considers these past three years playing for the Bulldogs as a blessing. Now the Columbus, Mississippi native gets another season to continue living out his lifelong dream while also finishing out his master's degree.
"All my life since I was a child, I've wanted to be at Mississippi State," Sharp said. "Now, look at where I'm at. I'm here."
As a senior in 2020, Sharp played in mostly a reserve role at offensive guard and graduated with a degree in psychology in December of that year.
But Sharp wasn't satisfied with his career coming to an end and decided to come back for one more year in maroon and white since he had an optional COVID-19 season of eligibility left.
And Sharp has certainly made the most of it. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder made the switch to center in the spring and started every game for the Bulldogs this fall. He was selected SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week following the win over then No. 12 Kentucky and earned an honorable mention on Pro Football Focus' All-SEC team.
When the regular season ended, the former junior college transfer applied for a waiver for another year of eligibility from the NCAA since he missed most of his sophomore season at East Mississippi due to an ankle injury.
"I was just hoping and praying that I'd get another year," said Sharp, who only appeared in two games for the Lions in 2018.
The NCAA granted his request on Thursday and Sharp will be back snapping for Mississippi State in 2022.
"It's a blessing to be able to play ball again in college," Sharp said. "It means a lot to me because I'll get to work on the things I want to work on and better myself. I can be a better player and a better man."
Extra year of eligibility...
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) December 16, 2021
👀 @laquinstonsant1 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/mDvtJoYnbB
Sharp learned the NCAA's ruling following a team workout on Thursday afternoon. His position coach, Mason Miller, delivered the good news in a way that only he could.
"Q, you've got to get better today," Miller said. "You know why? Because you're going to be stuck with me for another year. You got your year back."
Sharp smiled and raised his arm in the air as his teammates and coaches began celebrating with him.
One player who may have been the happiest to learn Sharp will be back in Starkville for another season is quarterback Will Rogers. Sharp is the one responsible for making the pre-snap reads and protection calls for the entire offensive line.
"People ask me all the time about our offensive line," Rogers said. "They like to talk about Charles Cross and rightfully so. He's a guy that's 300-plus pounds and moves like a wide receiver. But they should be talking about LaQuinston Sharp more for what he does for our offense.
"He's so football smart. When you get out here and see the calls that he's making and the protections that he's setting, it's just truly amazing how football savvy he is. He means a lot to me and keeps me the safe because he's calling the protections. I'm truly grateful that 'Q' is our center."
The bond between a center and his quarterback is critical to a team's success and Sharp and Rogers have grown quite close over the course of the last year.
"Will is my dog," Sharp said. "We've gotten way closer and talk every day and even hang out sometimes. We've just got that bond, a brother bond."
Sharp considers these past three years playing for the Bulldogs as a blessing. Now the Columbus, Mississippi native gets another season to continue living out his lifelong dream while also finishing out his master's degree.
"All my life since I was a child, I've wanted to be at Mississippi State," Sharp said. "Now, look at where I'm at. I'm here."
Players Mentioned
Thursday, April 16
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11
Saturday, April 11