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The 5 most important players for Mississippi State in 2020
By Rolando Rosa
Published:
It’s been 6 years since Mississippi State posted a double-digit win total and qualified for a New Year’s 6 bowl.
However, the arrival of innovative new coach Mike Leach provides hope that the Bulldogs can again begin to offer more bite than bark.
Mississippi State lured Leach from Washington State to replace Joe Moorhead, who posted a 14-12 overall record in 2 seasons. Despite Mississippi State coming off a 6-7 season, Leach inherits a roster with an assortment of intriguing players on both sides of the ball.
These 5 players, in particular, will determine whether Mississippi State will take a leap forward in 2020.
Senior QB KJ Costello
Leach is known for his explosive brand of offense, so the Stanford transfer will have every opportunity to light up the scoreboard.
An argument can be made that Costello is the most naturally skilled quarterback Leach has ever coached.
Costello is ranked as College Football News’ No. 9 prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft and with good reason. Costello was marred by injuries last season at Stanford, as he amassed just 1,038 yards and 6 touchdowns.
However, the 6-5 222-pound grad transfer has excellent size, a strong arm, and a high football IQ. If Costello stays healthy, he’ll have a great chance to resemble the 2018 second-team All-Pac-12 version of himself who posted 3,540 yards and 29 touchdowns.
No longer stifled by the rigid pro-style offense, Costello will have the freedom to thrive in Leach’s Air Raid attack. Leach has produced a top 20 passer for 7 consecutive seasons, with 6 occasions being a top 10 passer, according to Pro Football Network.
Last season, 87% of Washington State’s yards were generated through the passing game. Mississippi State was 55-45, favoring the run. That should have Costello salivating at the possibilities. Leach loves his quarterbacks to take deep shots, so Costello’s cannon is going to be put to work frequently.
Mississippi State scored over 30 points just once in SEC play last season under previous quarterbacks Tommy Stevens and Garrett Shrader.
Now that the Bulldogs are blessed with an offensive guru and gifted quarterback, it appears likely points won’t come at a premium anymore.
Senior linebacker Erroll Thompson
After bypassing the NFL Draft, the captain will once again anchor Mississippi State’s defense in his final season.
Last season at middle linebacker in a 4-2-5 set, Thompson led the Bulldogs with 84 tackles. The 6-1, 250-pound Thompson is a capable pass rusher as well.
Thompson will now operate as the middle linebacker in new defensive coordinator Zach Arnett’s 3-3-5 set. Thompson anticipates an attacking, up-tempo approach that will maximize his skill set. Thompson has quickly adapted in practice to the new system.
“He’s taking things from last year and implementing his new scheme as well,” Thompson told 247Sports. “But he’s also doing a great job putting guys in position to make plays with his scheme.”
Thompson isn’t particularly quick but he compensates by being a hard hitter with natural instincts who can wreak havoc on the line of scrimmage.
Thompson said in a tweet that he returned to Mississippi State because “there’s some unfinished business to take care of with my brothers.”
The Mississippi State defense allowed 30 or more points 6 times last season. If Thompson performs to his capabilities under Arnett, the defense will have the stability to become more consistent.
Senior running back Kylin Hill
Just because Leach’s offenses tend to be pass-heavy doesn’t mean Hill will be an afterthought.
It should be quite the contrary, actually.
Last season, Hill was a workhorse and Mississippi State’s best player. In 242 carries, Hill finished with 1,350 yards (an SEC best) and 10 touchdowns en route to being a first-team All-SEC selection.
Per Pro Football Focus, the slippery Hill is the top returning SEC rusher for broken tackles. The carries will decline, but to compensate, figure on Hill’s adding a new dimension as a receiver to make up the difference.
“I hope he leads the SEC in all-purpose yards,” Leach told the Clarion-Ledger. “In the Air Raid, one thing everybody forgets is the running back position gets most of the yards and gets most of the touches. They’re the closest to the quarterback. It’s easier to get them the ball than anybody.”
Hill had 1,530 all-purpose yards last season. Nick Turner set the program record with 1,664.
Hill tweeted in August that he’s “perfect for this offense” and it would be difficult to dispute that. When Hill gets carries, he’ll make the most of them. When Hill is called upon to line up at receiver, he’ll be another reliable target for Costello.
If Leach makes good on his promise to feed Hill in a plethora of ways, being the SEC’s leader in scrimmage yards is an attainable goal.
Senior wide receiver Osirus Mitchell
Mitchell will be heavily featured as the No. 1 wide receiver in Leach’s Air Raid attack.
Mitchell is coming off a junior campaign in which he registered career-highs in yards (430) and touchdowns (6). The 6-5, 210-pound Mitchell could double those figures with Costello under center in Leach’s offense.
The coaching staff is raving about how Mitchell is absorbing the playbook, according to 247Sports.
Mitchell has the height, speed and athleticism to be a dynamic vertical threat. Mitchell didn’t get as many deep looks last season, but that certainly won’t be an issue in this revamped offense.
Mitchell is the main option in a plethora of large Mississippi State targets.
“As long as they play to their strengths that’s good,” receivers coach Steve Spurrier Jr. said to 247Sports. “Big guys have to know what their role is and it’s being big and fighting with people and fighting to come down with the ball.”
Mississippi State hasn’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Fred Ross (1,007 in 2015), but Mitchell has an excellent chance to snap that skid, even in a shortened season.
Senior defensive end Marquiss Spencer
Spencer has been an impactful player since Day 1.
After having to redshirt his junior year due to an injury in 2018, Spencer bounced back with 37 tackles (6.5 for loss), 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles last season.
Spencer will return to a role in the 3-man front this season on the other side of senior Kobe Jones. Spencer will be an impactful piece for the line in the 3-3-5 scheme.
“Marquiss (Spencer) has done a great job with leadership and looking well and looking athletic,” Mississippi State defensive line coach Jeff Phelps said to 247Sports.
The 6-4, 300-pound Spencer certainly has an NFL skill set. If he plays to his potential, he’ll be a disruptive force and should hear his name called next spring.
