| INTRODUCTION | POSITION OUTLOOKS
TIGHT ENDS LETTERMEN RETURNING (3): Farrod Green (So.), Justin Johnson (Jr.), Jordan Thomas (Sr.) LETTERMEN LOST (0) KEY 2016 REDSHIRTS (2): Dontea Jones (RFr.), Christian Roberson (RFr.) STARTERS RETURNING (1): Farrod Green (So.) STARTERS LOST (0) • MSU is loaded with depth at tight end, returning all three who saw significant action at the position a year ago while welcoming two players who redshirted in the fall • So. Farrod Green (6-3, 239) was the primary starter in 2016 and will be a leader on offense in 2017 ... Green caught 11 passes for 121 yards and one score but proved to be a punishing blocker • Jr. Justin Johnson (6-3, 243) is a solid pass catching threat, while Sr. Jordan Thomas (6-5, 284) is an imposing target who is in his second year with the program
Leo Lewis
LINEBACKERS LETTERMEN RETURNING (6): Gerri Green (Jr.), Dez Harris (Sr.), Traver Jung (Sr.), Leo Lewis (So.), Josiah Phillips (Jr.), Tim Washington (So.) LETTERMEN LOST (3): Richie Brown, Kelan Chairs, DeAndre Ward KEY 2016 REDSHIRTS (1): Erroll Thompson (RFr.) STARTERS RETURNING (2): J.T. Gray (Sr.), Leo Lewis (So.) STARTERS LOST (1): Richie Brown
Martinas Rankin
OFFENSIVE LINE LETTERMEN RETURNING (5): Deion Calhoun (Jr.), Ronald Cochran (Jr.), Elgton Jenkins (So.), Harrison Moon (So.), Martinas Rankin (Sr.), Michael Story (So.), Darryl Williams (So.) LETTERMEN LOST (3): Jamaal Clayborn, Devon Desper, Justin Senior KEY 2016 REDSHIRTS (3): Greg Eiland (RFr.), Dareuan Parker (RFr.), Stewart Reese (RFr.) STARTERS RETURNING (3): Deion Calhoun (Jr.), Elgton Jenkins (Jr.), Martinas Rankin (Sr.) STARTERS LOST (3): Jamaal Clayborn, Devon Desper, Justin Senior • MSU will have to replace three starters, including its starting center of the last two years in Jamaal Clayborn • Sr. Martinas Rankin (6-5, 305) is projected as one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2018 NFL Draft ... Rankin enters his second year as a starter, seeing most of his action at tackle ... He played center the entire spring • Due to injuries in 2016, MSU will still welcome back plenty of experience despite losing three starters ... Deion Calhoun (6-3, 315) and Elgton Jenkins (6-4, 308) join Rankin as the most veteran players ... Jenkins played both guard and tackle last season, while Calhoun was a primary option at guard ... So. Harrison Moon (6-5, 290) could also be in the mix at center • Redshirt freshman Stewart Reese (6-5, 333) is a big presence and will be in the rotation this season ... He had an outstanding spring
• MSU will have to replace Richie Brown in the middle, but linebacker will be a strength for the Bulldogs in 2017 under new defensive coordinator and linebacker coach Todd Grantham • Athleticism will be aplenty starting with So. Leo Lewis (6-2, 235) ... All Lewis did in his first season was lead all SEC freshmen in tackles with 79 - 30 better than the next closest freshman ... For his efforts, he became the first Bulldog to earn FWAA Freshman All-America honors • Sr. Dez Harris (6-4, 243) will provide leadership and Jr. Gerri Green (6-4, 245) and Sr. Traver Jung (6-4, 229) are poised for breakout seasons • Look for RFr. Erroll Thompson (6-1, 250) to make an impact in his first season and high school All-American Willie Gay arrived in June
Jeffery Simmons
DEFENSIVE LINE LETTERMEN RETURNING (8): Fletcher Adams (So.), Tre Brown (Jr.), Grant Harris (Jr.), Braxton Hoyett (Jr.), Kendell Jones (So.), Jeffery Simmons (So.), Marquiss Spencer (So.), Cory Thomas (Jr.) LETTERMEN LOST (6): Nelson Adams, Johnathan Calvin, Will Coleman, Torrey Dale, Nick James, A.J. Jefferson NEWCOMERS THIS SPRING (5): Lee Autry (Jr.), James Jackson (Fr.), Deion Pope (Jr.), Chauncey Rivers (Jr.), Montez Sweat (Jr.) STARTERS RETURNING (0) (who started majority of games) STARTERS LOST (3): Nelson Adams, Johnathan Calvin, A.J. Jefferson
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