Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Bulldogs Close To Settling Quarterback Competition
August 25, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – There are still 10 days remaining before Mississippi State kicks off the season at home against Louisiana Tech.
And while head coach Mike Leach has yet to officially name a starting quarterback, he does have a leader in that still open competition.
"If we were to play today it would be Will (Rogers)," Leach said following Wednesday's practice. "Consistency I'd say would be the biggest thing. As far as just throwing the ball, they all do a pretty good job of that and have various other physical attributes. But (Rogers) is a very committed guy as far as watching film and has thrown with these guys more than anybody else."
Rogers has been battling with South Alabama transfer Chance Lovertich for the job during preseason camp.
Rogers started the final six games as a true freshman last season and only threw three interceptions among his 276 pass attempts during that span. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder broke the single-game completions (45) record, which was only two shy of the Southeastern Conference record. He also toppled Dak Prescott's single-season completion mark (69.1 percent).
Rogers owns most of the MSU passing records among freshmen including passing yards (1,976), completions (239), attempts (346) and single-game passing yards (440). The Brandon, Miss., native is also the only Bulldog freshman to eclipse 300 yards through the air in multiple games.
Leach stated on Wednesday that it was "difficult to say" if the quarterback situation could change between now and the season-opener on Sept. 4 and that Rogers still needed to continue improving at "nearly everything".
"The biggest thing is keep polishing up and getting his eyes in the right place and getting the ball out as soon as he possibly can and have a good pocket presence," Leach said. "He does a pretty good job with the huddle. The good news is that there's not one glaring thing. Everybody can sharpen up on all the little things."
Leach challenged his offensive line following State's first scrimmage on Aug. 14 but has seen that group respond since. He estimated that there are seven offensive linemen that he currently feels comfortable in playing.
"They're better and playing together better," Leach said. "I think collectively they have a higher sense of urgency. They're still a very young offensive line but some are drawing on the experience they got last year and then we've got some pretty good reinforcements. We're a work in progress but we're getting better."
The Bulldogs' anchor on that offensive line is sophomore left tackle Charles Cross. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder started 10 games last season and was selected second team All-SEC by the league's coaches on Tuesday.
"Charles at a young age is as far along as any offensive lineman I've dealt with," Leach said. "He's got a lot of work to do. I can't say that he exactly plays like a senior, but he plays better than anybody his age."
Mississippi State will continue with its mock week practices, which have been shortened from training camp. The Bulldogs will also conduct a shorter, situational scrimmage inside Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday.
And while head coach Mike Leach has yet to officially name a starting quarterback, he does have a leader in that still open competition.
"If we were to play today it would be Will (Rogers)," Leach said following Wednesday's practice. "Consistency I'd say would be the biggest thing. As far as just throwing the ball, they all do a pretty good job of that and have various other physical attributes. But (Rogers) is a very committed guy as far as watching film and has thrown with these guys more than anybody else."
Rogers has been battling with South Alabama transfer Chance Lovertich for the job during preseason camp.
Rogers started the final six games as a true freshman last season and only threw three interceptions among his 276 pass attempts during that span. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder broke the single-game completions (45) record, which was only two shy of the Southeastern Conference record. He also toppled Dak Prescott's single-season completion mark (69.1 percent).
Rogers owns most of the MSU passing records among freshmen including passing yards (1,976), completions (239), attempts (346) and single-game passing yards (440). The Brandon, Miss., native is also the only Bulldog freshman to eclipse 300 yards through the air in multiple games.
Leach stated on Wednesday that it was "difficult to say" if the quarterback situation could change between now and the season-opener on Sept. 4 and that Rogers still needed to continue improving at "nearly everything".
"The biggest thing is keep polishing up and getting his eyes in the right place and getting the ball out as soon as he possibly can and have a good pocket presence," Leach said. "He does a pretty good job with the huddle. The good news is that there's not one glaring thing. Everybody can sharpen up on all the little things."
Leach challenged his offensive line following State's first scrimmage on Aug. 14 but has seen that group respond since. He estimated that there are seven offensive linemen that he currently feels comfortable in playing.
"They're better and playing together better," Leach said. "I think collectively they have a higher sense of urgency. They're still a very young offensive line but some are drawing on the experience they got last year and then we've got some pretty good reinforcements. We're a work in progress but we're getting better."
The Bulldogs' anchor on that offensive line is sophomore left tackle Charles Cross. The 6-foot-5, 310-pounder started 10 games last season and was selected second team All-SEC by the league's coaches on Tuesday.
"Charles at a young age is as far along as any offensive lineman I've dealt with," Leach said. "He's got a lot of work to do. I can't say that he exactly plays like a senior, but he plays better than anybody his age."
Mississippi State will continue with its mock week practices, which have been shortened from training camp. The Bulldogs will also conduct a shorter, situational scrimmage inside Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday.
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