Bulldog Backers Aim to be Strength

STARKVILLE – For the last half-decade prior to this season, you couldn't talk about Mississippi State's linebackers without bringing up the name of Erroll Thompson. With Thompson currently an Atlanta Falcon and seeking to begin his NFL career in 2021, MSU's linebacker room doesn't have Thompson in it for the first time since Bulldog legend and former quarterback Dak Prescott's senior year.

So it bears asking, how does MSU go about solidifying a group that has lost a man who was just the 16^th Bulldog to ever rack up 300 or more tackles for his career? What kind of shape is the State linebacker group in headed into a new season? Turns out, it's pretty good, those involved believe.

"Everybody is coming along well," junior linebacker Aaron Brule said. "I think we have at least four or five guys that can be starters, so that's pretty good."

Pretty good indeed.

Yes, MSU no longer has the services of Thompson. Yet what the Bulldogs do have is a talented and potentially deep group that could very well serve as a team strength.

There's the experienced Brule, now in his fourth year in the program and the team's top returning tackler from a season ago. There's Nathaniel 'Bookie' Watson, a versatile playmaker that could easily step into any of the three linebacker positions. There's Tyrus Wheat, last year's team leader in sacks, plus a whole lot more.

Brule, Watson and Wheat might have an inside track on starter's jobs at the Will, Mike and Sam linebacker spots, respectively; but as preseason camp rolls on, it's evident they'll all three be pushed by the depth behind them. That's of course a good thing for all involved as the competitiveness at the position only makes for a stronger unit overall.

Several names could very well factor into the State two-deep come September. In early preseason practices, senior Sherman Timbs, along with sophomores Jett Johnson and DeShawn Page have all had impressive moments.

Timbs heads into 2021 looking to build upon his strong showing in last year's season-closing Armed Forces Bowl where he had three tackles and his first career sack against Tulsa. Page is set for his first season at MSU, but is loaded with potential. He joined the Bulldogs from East Mississippi Community College where he was one of the nation's top junior college linebackers. Meanwhile Johnson has looked strong in camp so far. He and a pair of true freshman all earned early praise from Brule.

"Jett has already been here, but Jett's looking really good," Brule said. "Timar Rogers and Nic Mitchell, they're all coming along really well. They just need to loosen up a little bit and just play and have fun."

Other names to watch over the next month include freshmen Ty Cooper, John Lewis and Rodney Groce, Jr. Also, converted safety J.P. Purvis has started to look more comfortable in his new position over the first few practice days.

It's a group full of strong options – some seasoned, some just getting their feet wet. But it's a promising unit no doubt, made all the better by how many of the guys can play inside or outside linebacker.

"I think we try to get [that type of versatility] out of the entire front six really," linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Zach Arnett said. "I imagine we could go out there tomorrow and tell Tyrus [Wheat], 'Hey, you're not the Sam today, you're the Mike and Bookie [Watson], you're the Sam' and flip them around. And they'd have a general idea [of what to do]. It's nice to let them specialize and hone in on one job, but anytime you've got cross-training, it increases your depth."

So there's actual depth with all the talented bodies. Then there's artificial depth created via the group's versatility. It seems to be a pretty enviable position that the Bulldogs find themselves in.

Thompson is no longer around to see it all firsthand, but he's left behind a group that appears more than ready to pick up where he left off. It's never easy losing a leader and team captain, but the Bulldog linebackers already seem prepared to come together and fill that void.

"I think we've got a lot of guys being leaders," Arnett said. "It's just how you carry yourself and go about doing your job day to day."

It looks like Thompson can go ahead and enjoy playing on Sundays. Assuming they keep progressing and developing over the next few weeks, Brule, Watson, Wheat and the rest are on track to have Saturdays in maroon and white covered.

Bulldog Backers Aim to be Strength

Players Mentioned

Aaron Brule

Ty Cooper

Jett Johnson

John Lewis

Nic Mitchell

DeShawn Page

JP Purvis

Timar Rogers

Erroll Thompson

Sherman Timbs

Tyrus Wheat

Mississippi State University Athletics