Lanier Proud To Be Back On The Big Stage
August 16, 2024 | Football, Joel Coleman
State safety has had a winding road that’s led to the MSU secondary.
STARKVILLE – Who doesn't love a good comeback story?
If you're looking for one on this year's Mississippi State football team, safety Brylan Lanier is a candidate to capture your heart.
The Tuscaloosa, Alabama, native is about halfway through preseason camp with the Bulldogs and is likely to play a huge role in the MSU secondary in the campaign to come. What you might not know though is that this is a return to the spotlight for Lanier as his career has come full circle back to the Southeastern Conference after a winding road that saw him begin his playing days with his hometown Alabama Crimson Tide before stopping at Indiana, then transferring to East Mississippi Community College before finally landing on his feet once again in the SEC at State.
It's been quite the journey for Lanier, but he's grateful for where It's all led him to now.
"Yeah, it's just all made me more passionate," Lanier shared. "I give it all I've got. I felt like I lost it all going [from the top level of college football to junior college]. I feel like I lost it all and now I've got it back."
Lanier plans to make the most of his second chance on the big stage. The man called Brylo by those closest to him has grown as he's paved his path to Starkville, making positive strides that have seemingly built momentum for his time in Maroon and White.
He redshirted during his true freshman season at Alabama, then transferred to Indiana where he played in 11 games, recording 12 tackles with a sack.
Lanier then spent 2023 not too far from Starkville at EMCC and was instrumental in helping the Lions get to the national championship game. Lanier tallied 60 tackles including 3.5 sacks for EMCC. He also forced two fumbles, had an interception and by the time things were said and done, he was the No. 3 JUCO cornerback prospect in the country.
That was more than enough to earn Lanier another crack at life in the SEC as MSU came calling.
"I'm very grateful," Lanier said. "I left Indiana looking for a chance to get back to the SEC. I just kept the faith. Every day is a blessing and I'm grateful to be here at Mississippi State."
Lanier isn't letting up now that he's back where he wants to be. In fact, he's more driven than ever.
"Every day, I've got to get better and attack everything," Lanier said.
The key, Lanier says, to being the best version of himself is just to stay within himself. He's bought into the teaching of MSU safeties coach Matt Barnes, who emphasizes to his guys not to look too far ahead or try to do too much.
"Coach Barnes has a saying to just keep chewing the elephant," Lanier said. "You can't bite it all at once or eat it all at once. Play to play, day by day, just take your assignment. Don't try to be Superman. Just do your job. That's how you make plays."
In many ways, Barnes' saying is what Lanier's life has been all about the last few years. It's been one moment and one step at a time. Now, Lanier's patience and focus has paid off.
Soon enough, Lanier will be making plays under the bright lights again. He treasures the chance. It's the moment Lanier has been looking for since he left the SEC a few years ago, and it's almost here.
"I'm looking forward to coming out the tunnel [at Davis Wade Stadium], looking at all those fans and hearing those cowbells," Lanier said. "It's going to be a blessing."
