Perception of lost starters isn’t a reality for MSU

STARKVILLE – Fifteen is greater than 10. That’s the thought many have when predicting Mississippi State’s expectations in 2015.

Yes, the Bulldogs won 10 games last year. But the loss of 15 starters outweigh that in the minds of many.

The Associated Press predicts Mississippi State will play in the Birmingham Bowl. The Southeastern Conference media picked the Bulldogs to finish last in the West and 13th overall. Even the nation’s coaches have MSU as the sixth best team in the West, according to the Amway Coaches Poll released on Thursday.

On the surface, the reasoning is sound. However, the loss of 15 starters from 2014 is a skewed.

“I know a lot of people think we're going to be a young football team,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “I like that people think that, but the fact that we rotate, we play a lot of guys in the course of games, guys have experience.”

It’s more than experience in some circumstances. Mississippi State will upgrade in at least four positions that lost starters last year.

Defensively, Will Redmond takes over at cornerback and Chris Jones will start at defensive line. The duo has already earned preseason accolades on numerous watchlists. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks Redmond as one of the best senior corners in the country.

The 6-foot corner should be an upgrade over Jamerson Love. MSU could also be deeper at the position with Cedric Jiles returning off a hamstring injury that caused him to miss last year.

“We did lose a lot last year,” senior corner Taveze Calhoun said. “But I think we have some young talented guys. I think we can have a special group. We just all have to work together.”

On the defensive line, Jones is the defense’s only former five-star recruit. No one debates his NFL-potential talent.

He’ll be joined by senior Nelson Adams in replacing P.J. Jones and Kaleb Eulls. Adams finished with more tackles for loss and sacks than P.J. Jones. He also recorded more quarterback hurries than both departing seniors combine.

“The reality is we have 14 people who started last year, but they weren’t ‘starters,’” senior defensive end Ryan Brown said. “There’s only 22 people on the field. You do the math. I’ve very confident with who I play with.”

The biggest holes on defense are at linebacker, specifically replacing Benardrick McKinney and Matt Wells as well as finding replacements for Jay Hughes and Justin Cox at safety.

While veterans Richie Brown and Zach Jackson are primed to fill the vacancies at linebacker, in addition to redshirt freshman Gerri Green, safety involves more questions. Deontay Evans is the only player with a start under his belt.

“Those guys stepped up (in the spring),” Calhoun said. “They give you confidence because those guys were making plays against Dak Prescott, De’Runnya Wilson, Fred Ross.”

Prescott’s offense lost seven starters from last year – another number that tells only half the story. Ross and Fred Brown finished with more receptions and yards (48 catches for 788 yards) than starters Jameon Lewis and Robert Johnson (46 catches for 607 yards).

Mississippi State should have the weapons to replace Josh Robinson and his 1,500 total yards from last season. Ashton Shumpert rushed for more yards than Robinson in MSU’s final two regular season games last year. He totaled 125 yards on 24 carries against Vanderbilt and Ole Miss. Redshirt freshmen Dontavian Lee and Aeries Williams also shined at running back during the spring.

The real issues appear on the offensive line and at tight end.

“We lost three guys last year, but I wouldn’t hesitate to say the guys we have this year aren’t talented,” Prescott said. “They’re not quite as experienced, obviously the guys we just lost were five-year guys, but I think they’re more talented though.”

From the offensive line to wide receivers to the secondary and defensive line, Mississippi State believes it has the depth to replace 15 starters, most which are on NFL rosters.

Until the Bulldogs prove it on the field though, many will doubt their ability.

“They've been on the stage. They've been in the moments,” Mullen said. “And they're going to be ready for this season as we move forward.”

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.