Big Dreams Getting Fulfilled For Big Albert Reese IV
July 19, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
State offensive lineman has worked his way to becoming a key Bulldog.
DALLAS – In a small room at the Omni Hotel in Dallas on Wednesday, Mississippi State offensive lineman Albert Reese IV climbed atop a mechanical bull strategically placed in front of an MSU logo. Players just never know what they'll be asked to do at Southeastern Conference Media Days, and this room – where, this year, guys were made a custom cowboy hat and posed for pictures – is especially unpredictable.
But there Reese was, a Canadian by way of Edmonton, Alberta, suddenly acting like a cowboy on his fake bull. There was just one small problem. Well, technically, it was a big problem. The 6-foot-7, 330-pound Reese's head was hitting the ceiling.
"Can you maybe just lean over on your elbow for this one?" an SEC photographer asked Reese after a few shots where it became obvious Reese is a bit larger than most young men who'd taken pics throughout the week.
Big is nothing new for Reese. He's a big man whose big dreams led him to leave his home country for the United States to pursue his big goal of playing college football. He got that chance at Mississippi State where his big work ethic has kept him grinding and has now made him not just a key member of MSU's offensive front, but a leading Bulldog period.
That much was evident by his mere presence as a State representative in front of the bright lights of SEC Media Days.
"It's a huge honor to be able to represent my program and my offensive line," Reese shared. "[I'm] so very blessed to be here."
State head coach Jeff Lebby told reporters in the main media room that Reese wasn't just handed the right to be in Dallas. He earned every single bit of it.
"Here's a guy that earned a starting job [in the] spring through toughness and through this competitive spirit of just getting better every single day," Lebby said. "Albert is a guy who embodies exactly what we want in offensive line play and leadership inside that unit.
"Here's a guy that's a college graduate. He's from Alberta. He heads to Tampa, [Florida], and now he's made his way to Starkville, Mississippi, and he's creating this great life for himself because he invests in himself every single day."
Moment by moment the last four years, Reese has indeed just gotten better and better to have the chance in 2024 to make his biggest impact as a Bulldog. Sure, he's already played 28 games and started one in Maroon and White, but this year's Reese is just a bit different than all the rest.
He's seasoned on the field – molded by years of experience playing all along the MSU offensive line. He's matured away from it as he's balanced the twists and turns that go with playing college football, adapting to new coaches, styles and schemes.
"The more you go through, the more it can really help you at the end of the day," Reese said. "You're not just fixated on one thing. You can do anything."
So, if Reese is asked to play tackle this fall – a spot he's spent most of his MSU career – he's ready. If it's at guard, where he excelled during the spring, he's all systems go for that as well.
It shouldn't come as a shock that Reese is one who can roll with the punches. It's all he's done the last half-decade or so.
Remember, this is a guy who packed up and left his home country to head down and put himself on the high school football map at Clearwater Academy International in Florida. That alone shows a willingness to tackle any challenge.
Football south of the Canadian border is different, but Reese insists he hasn't just adjusted to everything. He's embraced all of it.
"No snow games down here," Reese said with a smile. "I had a good amount of those…And a lot more attendance down in the states than up there."
Of course, maybe Reese's favorite part of being in America – particularly the South – is precisely the kind of thing an offensive lineman would immensely enjoy.
"I would say the food is definitely better here," Reese said.
Reese's positive attitude, complete dedication and fearlessness in the face of any situation has been especially displayed since he became a Bulldog. The coach he first played for, the great Mike Leach, passed away tragically after only two years of Reese's career. That ushered in another offense for Reese to master, something he's had to do yet again headed into this year under Lebby.
Yet Reese has kept his head up and keeps right on keeping on and is expected to be a literal and figurative huge part of Lebby's attack when the season kicks off August 31. When it's finally showtime in Starkville, Reese is likely to be one of the main stage setters for quarterback Blake Shapen and the MSU offense.
It's all a testament to Reese's continued, never-wavering commitment to his craft.
"Your time will come if you continue to work," Reese said. "You don't have to overcomplicate it or stress yourself out. Just keep working and trust the process."
Take note young players. Heed Reese's advice and you, too, might just find yourself getting all you ever wanted. Just watch your head if you ever have to climb on a bull at SEC Media Days.
"Yeah, that was a tight squeeze," Reese said.
