Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Cornerbacks Not Satisfied With 2020 Success
August 25, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State produced two of the top cornerbacks in the Southeastern Conference last season in Martin Emerson and Emmanuel Forbes.
Emerson led the league in pass breakups while Forbes topped the SEC in interceptions and ranked No. 1 in the country in pick-6's.
But even as good as that coverage duo was in 2020, they believe there is even more in store for them this fall.
"I feel like there's a lot more to be earned," Emerson said. "I feel like we had a pretty good year but I feel like we don't have a ceiling in this cornerbacks group. We just have to keep getting better and keep elevating each other."
It was Emerson who accepted the responsibilities of a leadership role as only a sophomore last season. He set a blueprint for Forbes to follow as a true freshman coming in and by Week 3 both had solidified starting jobs for the remainder of the year.
"Between those two, I don't know who practices harder, who wants it more or who watches more film," said cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath. "Those guys are always after it. Forbes - as soon as he came in – he and Martin have been thick as thieves. When one does one thing, the other is doing it too. They don't want to be outdone and that competition is good."
Emerson, who has appeared in all 24 games during his career with 16 starts, graded out as the third-best cover corner in the conference and seventh nationally by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was a second team All-SEC selection by that service.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from Pensacola, Fla., is the Bulldogs' second-leading returning tackler having made 72 stops in 2020 along with 1.5 tackles for loss and 11 pass break-ups.
On the other side of the field, Forbes in only one season is already tied atop the MSU record books for career interceptions returned for a touchdown. The Grenada, Miss., native recorded three pick-6's tying him with Bulldog greats Johnthan Banks, Corey Broomfield and Derek Pegues for the most all-time.
Forbes was an easy Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC selection having made 44 tackles, a half-tackle for loss and five interceptions returned for a total of 183 yards. His interceptions returned for touchdowns came on plays of 29, 60 and 90 yards.
"I kind of already had good ball skills playing receiver in high school," Forbes said. "Adding that onto going against the Air Raid offense everyday prepared me for Saturdays."
The Bulldogs are also building some depth behind Emerson and Forbes as well. Junior Esaias Furdge played in 10 games (two starts) and made one interception last season while sophomore Decamerion Richardson saw action in seven contests.
Junior Jaylon Reed appeared in three games during the 2018 season but has been hampered by injuries the past two years.
"I'm really excited about the guys behind (Emerson and Forbes) after seeing what they did last year and being able to elevate throughout the spring and fall camp," McBath said. "They're fighting for opportunities to get into games. Those two have elevated our room."
Although State's depth at corner might be lacking an abundance of experience, McBath is attempting to compensate by getting that group plenty of reps in practice against Mike Leach's Air Raid offense.
"I put them out there with the one's and rotate them every day," McBath said. "I try to get them against the best group on the offense and let them show what they have. They've improved tremendously throughout the spring and fall camp."
True freshman Jay Hampton and William Hardrick were also added to the mix this year and could be vying for playing time right away. Hampton had an interception during the Bulldogs' second scrimmage last Saturday.
"You just never know about freshmen," McBath said. "I put Forbes into the game last year and had no clue what was going to happen. He showed up and did what he does in practice…That's what happened for him last year so hopefully we can get one of these young guys to step up."
One thing that is certain is Mississippi State is not lacking in size at the cornerback position. All seven scholarship corners are 6-foot or taller with Emerson, Richardson and Hampton all listed at 6-foot-2.
"That's what we want: big, fast, athletic with a great change of direction and good ball skills," McBath said. "We want all of those things. We've been lucky to get some of those guys."
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Emerson led the league in pass breakups while Forbes topped the SEC in interceptions and ranked No. 1 in the country in pick-6's.
But even as good as that coverage duo was in 2020, they believe there is even more in store for them this fall.
"I feel like there's a lot more to be earned," Emerson said. "I feel like we had a pretty good year but I feel like we don't have a ceiling in this cornerbacks group. We just have to keep getting better and keep elevating each other."
It was Emerson who accepted the responsibilities of a leadership role as only a sophomore last season. He set a blueprint for Forbes to follow as a true freshman coming in and by Week 3 both had solidified starting jobs for the remainder of the year.
"Between those two, I don't know who practices harder, who wants it more or who watches more film," said cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath. "Those guys are always after it. Forbes - as soon as he came in – he and Martin have been thick as thieves. When one does one thing, the other is doing it too. They don't want to be outdone and that competition is good."
Emerson, who has appeared in all 24 games during his career with 16 starts, graded out as the third-best cover corner in the conference and seventh nationally by Pro Football Focus (PFF) and was a second team All-SEC selection by that service.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pounder from Pensacola, Fla., is the Bulldogs' second-leading returning tackler having made 72 stops in 2020 along with 1.5 tackles for loss and 11 pass break-ups.
On the other side of the field, Forbes in only one season is already tied atop the MSU record books for career interceptions returned for a touchdown. The Grenada, Miss., native recorded three pick-6's tying him with Bulldog greats Johnthan Banks, Corey Broomfield and Derek Pegues for the most all-time.
Forbes was an easy Freshman All-American and Freshman All-SEC selection having made 44 tackles, a half-tackle for loss and five interceptions returned for a total of 183 yards. His interceptions returned for touchdowns came on plays of 29, 60 and 90 yards.
"I kind of already had good ball skills playing receiver in high school," Forbes said. "Adding that onto going against the Air Raid offense everyday prepared me for Saturdays."
The Bulldogs are also building some depth behind Emerson and Forbes as well. Junior Esaias Furdge played in 10 games (two starts) and made one interception last season while sophomore Decamerion Richardson saw action in seven contests.
Junior Jaylon Reed appeared in three games during the 2018 season but has been hampered by injuries the past two years.
"I'm really excited about the guys behind (Emerson and Forbes) after seeing what they did last year and being able to elevate throughout the spring and fall camp," McBath said. "They're fighting for opportunities to get into games. Those two have elevated our room."
Although State's depth at corner might be lacking an abundance of experience, McBath is attempting to compensate by getting that group plenty of reps in practice against Mike Leach's Air Raid offense.
"I put them out there with the one's and rotate them every day," McBath said. "I try to get them against the best group on the offense and let them show what they have. They've improved tremendously throughout the spring and fall camp."
True freshman Jay Hampton and William Hardrick were also added to the mix this year and could be vying for playing time right away. Hampton had an interception during the Bulldogs' second scrimmage last Saturday.
"You just never know about freshmen," McBath said. "I put Forbes into the game last year and had no clue what was going to happen. He showed up and did what he does in practice…That's what happened for him last year so hopefully we can get one of these young guys to step up."
One thing that is certain is Mississippi State is not lacking in size at the cornerback position. All seven scholarship corners are 6-foot or taller with Emerson, Richardson and Hampton all listed at 6-foot-2.
"That's what we want: big, fast, athletic with a great change of direction and good ball skills," McBath said. "We want all of those things. We've been lucky to get some of those guys."
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