Past Gives Bulldog Defense An Edge In The Present
August 06, 2022 | Football, Joel Coleman
Mississippi State boasts a defense that’s grown up under coordinator Zach Arnett.
STARKVILLE – In college football, as in life, there are no guarantees. No sure things exist. On any given Saturday, there can be an upset, an unexpected hero can rise up or any number of things can happen no one saw coming.
All that said, arguably the greatest predictor of the future is the past. Some level of expectation comes when there's a track record.
In the case of Mississippi State's defense, only a couple of days into training camp, one quick glance around the fields at the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex and you'll notice a plethora of Bulldogs who come into 2022 with an already-strong resume. It's giving MSU an edge as State ramps up for a new campaign.
"Everybody knows the defense pretty well by now," linebacker Jett Johnson said after Saturday's practice. "We can change things up or play with things a little more because more people are comfortable with it. Just knowing the defense, it allows you to play fast, and you can have a lot of success."
Johnson is a prime illustration for how time and experience provides a boost. You might remember the now-graduate saw very little action over the early portion of his career. In fact, when State defensive coordinator Zach Arnett arrived in Starkville prior to the 2020 season, Johnson had only seen action in two career games. He got on the field for five contests in Arnett's first year but logged only three tackles.
All the while, Johnson was learning. He was growing. He was developing. When getting his first major opportunity last season, Johnson took advantage and went on to rack up a team-high 87 tackles. You better believe experience mattered for Johnson, even if Arnett can turn Johnson's emergence into a little self-degrading humor.
"I think if you ask Jett, he'd probably say it was just a bad evaluation by me and he got kept on the sidelines way too much [in 2020]," Arnett said in jest.
Arnett's future as a stand-up comedian might be shaky. There's absolutely no questioning his defensive smarts though. Johnson is just one of many examples of a State defender that has grown up under Arnett's watch.
Corner Emmanuel Forbes is a third-year starter who's blossomed into one of the country's top defensive backs. Linebacker Nathaniel Watson heads into his second season as a full-time starter. He piled up 84 tackles a year ago, second on the squad to Johnson.
Oh, but there's more – many more in fact. In all, the Bulldogs welcome back eight full-time defensive starters from last year's team. That total doesn't even include Johnson, who started only six times in 2021.
The whole starting defensive line is back as Randy Charlton, Jaden Crumedy and Cameron Young have all returned. Linebacker Tyrus Wheat – last year's team leader in sacks and tackles for loss – is back in the fold. Safeties Jalen Green and Collin Duncan? Yep, they're back, too. Not to mention, there are other veteran pieces still around as well – lineman Nathan Pickering and cornerback Decamerion Richardson among them. Oh, and don't forget talented end Jordan Davis who's back in action after missing last year due to a knee injury.
All over the field, there aren't just players that've played. These are players that have played a lot – mostly, if not completely, under Arnett and his 3-3-5 scheme. That's helping youngsters, newcomers and those who haven't played as much catch on even quicker than usual as the vets are taking teammates under their wings.
"You certainly see that," Arnett said. "Obviously, we have a lot of good guys in the program, and they want to try to bring the youngsters up to speed as fast as possible."
As for the Johnsons and Watsons and Youngs of the world, their backgrounds and the knowledge they already hold make Arnett's job at least a touch simpler.
"When you've got those vets that have a lot of reps, you don't really have to do install," Arnett said. "You just come out and say, 'Alright', and call whatever and they should know how to handle it. So that makes it pretty fun."
It bears pointing out that under Arnett, this bunch was incredibly strong even when experience wasn't in their favor. In each of the last two seasons, State has finished in the top five in the Southeastern Conference in total defense, fewest first downs allowed, takeaways, rushing defense and yards per rush. Now, with so much playing time under their belts, the Bulldogs are aiming to be an even stingier unit.
So, coach are you seeing all this experience you're working with pay off already?
"I think so, but then when I go watch the film [after practice] I think we're doing way too much and don't do anything really well," Arnett said. "But it's an annual mistake."
Well, even vets have to work out the kinks. As the Bulldogs do, they have two huge assets working for them. They've got a past that proves they can figure it out, and they've got a defensive coordinator who'll never, ever settle.
