Catching Up With The Corners
April 13, 2022 | Football, Joel Coleman
Emmanuel Forbes and others using the spring to improve and impress.
STARKVILLE – When it comes to Mississippi State's cornerback positions this spring, perhaps it's best summed up by Emmanuel Forbes.
The Bulldog defender has been locking down his side of the field for the last couple of seasons, but the man that's been his tag team partner on the other side of the gridiron is no longer around.
"It's a little different," Forbes admits. "I look across the field and see a new guy over there [and not] a guy I was starting with for two years."
Of course Emerson is referencing the ultra-talented Martin Emerson – a man who helped MSU make life pretty miserable for opposing offenses since 2019. These days, Emerson is only a couple of weeks away from likely hearing his name called in the NFL Draft and seeing his professional football dreams realized.
And while that's fantastic for both Emerson and Mississippi State, it does leave the current Bulldogs in search mode. The guys still in maroon and white are trying to find out who can step up to fill Emerson's shoes in Starkville.
"Well I watched [Emerson] at [our on-campus] Pro Day and I don't feel like I see Martin Emerson running around out here [at our practices] right now," defensive coordinator Zach Arnett said earlier this spring. "[Emerson] had a phenomenal workout [at Pro Day]. I think he's going to prove to a lot of people why we thought so highly of him here. He's going to have a great NFL career. But we've got a lot of guys battling [to try to fill Emerson's old spot]. We don't expect them to be Martin Emerson right off the bat. We just need them to be by [the first weekend of the season]."
As a two-year starter, there's no doubt Forbes will continue to be a humongous part of the Mississippi State secondary as the Bulldogs seek to solidify the corner spots. Forbes has cemented himself as one of the top defenders in the country since debuting in 2020. His eight career picks and three career interception return touchdowns put him at the top of those career lists for active Southeastern Conference players.
At this point, the main thing Forbes has to do this spring is just refine his abilities. That's where his focus is.
"Just trying to maintain my weight and better my craft," Forbes said.
For Forbes, there doesn't seem to be any additional pressure added now that Emerson has moved on. There doesn't have to be either, says Arnett. When it comes to providing leadership, Arnett is convinced all Forbes has to do is be Forbes.
"I think Forbes just needs to show up and be the football player he's capable of being," Arnett said. "I think I've said a lot, the leadership thing and all that talk stuff, I think that sounds good in these situations, but the guys in the locker room [know]…That talk stuff is cheap. [Forbes] just needs to show up and be the Forbes he's capable of being. When he does speak, he'll command attention."
Obviously Forbes is only one piece of the Mississippi State puzzle at cornerback. Who else is factoring in?
There's junior Decamerion Richardson – a man that now has 20 career games under his belt at MSU. It seems he's focused on playing a bigger role than ever.
"[Emerson is] leaving out, so it's next man up, you know," Richardson said. "It's my turn to step in and take my game to the next level."
Forbes has liked what he's seen so far this spring out of Richardson.
"[Richardson] has come a long way from where he first started," Forbes said. "He's almost a complete corner now and I'm looking forward to playing with him."
Along with other Bulldog veterans such as Esaias Furdge and Jay Hampton, Mississippi State newcomers are also factoring into things in a big way at corner this spring.
There's Alabama transfer and former four-star recruit out of high school, Marcus Banks.
"Marcus Banks is a player, for real," Emerson said. "He's technically sound and a great player."
Then, there's the young man who just signed with MSU in the Class of 2022, coming in as the country's No. 3 junior college cornerback per 247Sports – DeCarlos Nicholson.
"DeCarlos is a really long corner," Forbes describes. "He's still got some learning to do, but he's a good player right now. He's getting there."
Getting there is what the spring is all about. It's about learning. It's about settling in.
With Emerson off to do big things, Mississippi State's cornerback room has changed. However, the incredibly high standards remain the same.
No one will settle for anything less as they figure out who best fits in what role.
"It's good competition," Richardson said. "Everybody brings each other up and we're getting better each and every day."
