Finally digging into our football team

[HoopsDawg]

I'm cautiously optimistic about our Oline. We've got LSU, Texas Tech, Memphis and North Texas transfers in the starting 5. Then big Albert Reese at RT. I wish we had a little more high end talent at RB but overall I think we will be pretty good on offense. Jaden Walley at 3rd team WR and Creed at 2nd team suggests we have a talented group. Should be fun to watch. Obviously, Shapen has to stay healthy. I hate the UTEP WR is out week 1.

[Todd4State]

Miner is legit at center. That was a huge pick up that the website folks aren't talking about. I think he makes the NFL. Pounders was always a SEC prospect that got screwed over by Kiffin. Reese has been one of my favorites for awhile.

One thing I noticed about our team is how many juniors we added. We're going to have a lot of these players back in 2025. We'll have to figure out QB and center and a few other spots like running back but we should have most of our receivers, TE's, OL, and a lot of guys on defense back. By the time 2025 rolls around most of the team should have gelled and I could definitely see Parson taking over at QB next year if we don't get someone from the portal.

Seems like we're trying to hit up EMCC for defensive recruits next year with our old safety valve- MS JUCO football. Some of those guys are bounce backs so I'm good with it if we can get them.

[Coach34]

Shapen gets hurt and the season is over

[BeardoMSU]

Shapen gets hurt and the season is over

That's true for the vast majority of teams when they lose their starting QB.

[confucius say]

Shapen gets hurt and the season is over

Agree. But that's the case for about everybody.

I think we will probably hit the portal again for a 2025 qb. Good news is, this offense attracts good qb

[StarkVegasSteve]

Agree. But that's the case for about everybody.

I think we will probably hit the portal again for a 2025 qb. Good news is, this offense attracts good qb

I agree. I think we take a senior QB out of the portal, Parson transfers, and MVB is set up to lead in 26

[StarkVegasSteve]

I haven't looked at A TON of stuff as it pertains to our team other than numbers from other places, but I think we have the pieces to be explosive on offense and have guys that have done it at the P5 or G5 level. I think we have less pieces on defense and some downright unknowns. The success of this team will come down to 4 things:

1. Can Shapen stay healthy. As C34 alluded to, this is the biggest thing. If he goes down, it will be a long season.

2. Can the offense put up points....and lots of them. We're going to have to win some downright shootouts. Think OM/USCe or OM/UK in 2020. There's going to be games where we have to roll up 550-600 yds offense and hope we can get a stop or a TO at a critical juncture.

3. Can the unknowns in the backend of the defense step up and be opportunistic. I doubt our secondary is going to be good, much less great, but can they force a turnover or 2 every game and force them in plus territory for the offense to take points off the board.

4. Who in the receiver room is going to step up in be the alpha, or as it pertains to another of Lebby's offenses, the Elijah Moore. Most people expect that it will be Akharaiyi. But with him out at least a week, and could be 2 or 3, will someone like Trent Hudson, Kelly Coleman, or someone else step up and establish themselves.

[Cooterpoot]

I agree. I think we take a senior QB out of the portal, Parson transfers, and MVB is set up to lead in 26

Parson has been good. I don't think he's who will transfer and we can win every OOC game with Parson at QB. Many people dont think we'll win more than that anyway.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Parson has been good. I don't think he's who will transfer and we can win every OOC game with Parson at QB. Many people dont think we'll win more than that anyway.

He may be....but Lebby didn't recruit him. He recruited MVB.

[Catfish]

He may be....but Lebby didn't recruit him. He recruited MVB.

Who is MVB?

[Travelingdawg]

Micheal Van Buren

https://x.com/jonsokoloff/status/1828107228001509548?s=46

[BeardoMSU]

I think the "injury" stigma around Shapen is a bit over done since the injury in question was a result of a targeting on a running play. Hopefully he's learned to slide, obviously.

[Coach34]

Parson has been good. I don't think he's who will transfer and we can win every OOC game with Parson at QB. Many people dont think we'll win more than that anyway.

everything that's been said to me is that Parson is nowhere near ready to play QB on Saturdays

[Cooterpoot]

everything that's been said to me is that Parson is nowhere near ready to play QB on Saturdays

He's way ahead of the FR....way. We would win every OOC game with him. That's as far as I'd go.

[CaptainObvious]

Why would high school seniors QBs continue to sign with programs that are going to bring in a 1 year hired gun every single year? If State takes another portal Sr QB next year, and Parson transfers, then why wouldn't Van Buren go ahead and portal out too? I m a the likelyhood of State portaling in another Sr QB in 2026 is just as high as next year. Get that reputation thst you can't or won't develop QBs, you won't be signing them either.

[Todd4State]

Why would high school seniors QBs continue to sign with programs that are going to bring in a 1 year hired gun every single year? If State takes another portal Sr QB next year, and Parson transfers, then why wouldn't Van Buren go ahead and portal out too? I m a the likelyhood of State portaling in another Sr QB in 2026 is just as high as next year. Get that reputation thst you can't or won't develop QBs, you won't be signing them either.

QB's are a little different as far as recruits go.

I think they tend to factor more things into where they go to school and for them to play in the SEC or wherever they want they have to commit somewhere and most places aren't keen on playing a true freshman at QB because that's usually a recipe for a rough season. Some of those factors are what kind of offense a school runs, who the coach is, the relationship with the coach, the depth chart, and etc. And the fact of the matter is that can change overnight as we have seen at MSU so when that does happen they tend to transfer to where their skills fit the offense while the new coaching staff brings in guys that fit their new system. That's essentially why we lost Garrett Shrader and Will Rogers. And also why we ended up with Blake Shapen.

Most QB's commit their junior year too unlike most other players and they usually want to graduate early so they can start to learn their new systems and teammates although that is really becoming more and more true of any position.

Also, I think most QB's understand that they are going to redshirt and have to work their way up the depth chart barring injuries to starters so a lot of times they tend to be more patient unless there is a major coaching change or something.

I think that if I were a QB prospect and I had a chance to commit to MSU I would definitely do it because you never really know if you are going to get another chance and that would be my personal dream school. But if by year five I wasn't starting I would definitely portal out somewhere that I could start. And then you have some guys that bloom late and start out at a mid major and then hope to develop well enough to have a chance to go to a SEC school.

Parson still being here makes a lot of sense. He's just a RS freshman. I think MSU was his dream school. Shapen will leave after this year and he will still get to play plenty even if it's in a back up role to show what he can do. I'm sure we'll still try to get a QB out of the portal this offseason to compete and we'll see where the chips fall at that point. But I think there is a very good chance that Parson starts in 2025 or 2026. I also think that there is a chance that Kamario Taylor beats him out at some point as well. I'm really high on him. My guess is Van Buren ends up being the odd man out but we'll see- he's still a freshman.

[StarkVegasSteve]

QB's are a little different as far as recruits go.

I think they tend to factor more things into where they go to school and for them to play in the SEC or wherever they want they have to commit somewhere and most places aren't keen on playing a true freshman at QB because that's usually a recipe for a rough season. Some of those factors are what kind of offense a school runs, who the coach is, the relationship with the coach, the depth chart, and etc. And the fact of the matter is that can change overnight as we have seen at MSU so when that does happen they tend to transfer to where their skills fit the offense while the new coaching staff brings in guys that fit their new system. That's essentially why we lost Garrett Shrader and Will Rogers. And also why we ended up with Blake Shapen.

Most QB's commit their junior year too unlike most other players and they usually want to graduate early so they can start to learn their new systems and teammates although that is really becoming more and more true of any position.

Also, I think most QB's understand that they are going to redshirt and have to work their way up the depth chart barring injuries to starters so a lot of times they tend to be more patient unless there is a major coaching change or something.

I think that if I were a QB prospect and I had a chance to commit to MSU I would definitely do it because you never really know if you are going to get another chance and that would be my personal dream school. But if by year five I wasn't starting I would definitely portal out somewhere that I could start. And then you have some guys that bloom late and start out at a mid major and then hope to develop well enough to have a chance to go to a SEC school.

Parson still being here makes a lot of sense. He's just a RS freshman. I think MSU was his dream school. Shapen will leave after this year and he will still get to play plenty even if it's in a back up role to show what he can do. I'm sure we'll still try to get a QB out of the portal this offseason to compete and we'll see where the chips fall at that point. But I think there is a very good chance that Parson starts in 2025 or 2026. I also think that there is a chance that Kamario Taylor beats him out at some point as well. I'm really high on him. My guess is Van Buren ends up being the odd man out but we'll see- he's still a freshman.

Van Buren is better than Parson. He's also better than Taylor. He's that good. This is a guy Oregon was very high on. They thought he would take over in 26 for them. It's why they scrambled and had to overpay for Dante Moore out of the portal.

Parson can't play in this offense. He's a great kid and a hard worker, but he doesn't process this offense at the speed you need to process it at. That's not an opinion. That is multiple people in and out of the program saying the same thing. MVB will overtake him in the spring, if not sooner. We'll bring in a transfer QB in the spring to compete with both of them but I would expect Parson will transfer after that.

[RockyDog]

Van Buren is better than Parson. He's also better than Taylor. He's that good. This is a guy Oregon was very high on. They thought he would take over in 26 for them. It's why they scrambled and had to overpay for Dante Moore out of the portal.

Parson can't play in this offense. He's a great kid and a hard worker, but he doesn't process this offense at the speed you need to process it at. That's not an opinion. That is multiple people in and out of the program saying the same thing. MVB will overtake him in the spring, if not sooner. We'll bring in a transfer QB in the spring to compete with both of them but I would expect Parson will transfer after that.

IF something long term were to happen to Shapen, which we all hope never happens, I would imagine that Lebby would just go with Van Buren and take his lumps.

They did the same thing with Gabriel and he turned out to have a stellar freshman season. I'm in no way saying that Van Buren equates to Dillon Gabriel, but sometimes things happen. UCF had a starter in place who went down in game one and Gabriel came in and finished the season with 3600 yards and 29 TDs in Lebby's offense.

[Cooterpoot]

Van Buren is better than Parson. He's also better than Taylor. He's that good. This is a guy Oregon was very high on. They thought he would take over in 26 for them. It's why they scrambled and had to overpay for Dante Moore out of the portal.

Parson can't play in this offense. He's a great kid and a hard worker, but he doesn't process this offense at the speed you need to process it at. That's not an opinion. That is multiple people in and out of the program saying the same thing. MVB will overtake him in the spring, if not sooner. We'll bring in a transfer QB in the spring to compete with both of them but I would expect Parson will transfer after that.

He's had the usual struggles this summer. And I'll say this, Lebby is 100% going youth when he can, and I don't blame him. I think you'll see a lot of borderline guys hit the road until Lebby has it all in order.

[confucius say]

I'm not overly worried about qb play as long as lebby is here. He's always had good qb play. Even with someone like Gabriel who is not overly talented physically.
Plus, qb want to play in this offense.

[KOdawg1]

Shapen this year, transfer/Parson next year, and then watch out for Kamario Taylor in his sophomore season. Dude is legit

[Offshore Dawg]

Shapen this year, transfer/Parson next year, and then watch out for Kamario Taylor in his sophomore season. Dude is legit

KOD1, what would you do with MVB; Micheal Van Buren. How does he fit in this grand scheme of QB's. Isn't he handpicked by coach Jeff.

[StarkVegasSteve]

KOD1, what would you do with MVB; Micheal Van Buren. How does he fit in this grand scheme of QB's. Isn't he handpicked by coach Jeff.

MVB is better than Parson and he's better than Taylor right now. We'll bring in a transfer next year and then MVB and Taylor will battle it out in 26. I would expect MVB wins that competition. Taylor is a good QB who can be a great QB, but MVB is hand picked by Lebby and just judging off high school film, he is more polished right now and does more of what Lebby wants to do.

[KOdawg1]

Taylor will be the most talented QB we have on the roster the second he steps on campus.

No, he won't start his first year, but with just a little development, he's got all the tools to be elite. I think he beats out MVB/Parson

[StarkVegasSteve]

Taylor will be the most talented QB we have on the roster the second he steps on campus.

No, he won't start his first year, but with just a little development, he's got all the tools to be elite. I think he beats out MVB/Parson

I think the speed of the game is going to be a problem for Taylor. As I stated, I think he can be a great QB, but he plays at Noxubee Co. They play some good teams (Starkville, West Point, and Louisville) but they also play the Shannon, Enterprise, and Kemper Co. of the world. Even at 6A level, the speed is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT at the QB position. It's why you never see MS HS QBs come in and immediately play at the P4 level and have success in today's game.

[Offshore Dawg]

Bottom line: it is good to have choices that can play at an SEC level.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Bottom line: it is good to have choices that can play at an SEC level.

Now that's not false. We could, at some point next spring, have 4 SEC Quality QBs in the QB room. A stark contrast from years past

[KOdawg1]

I think the speed of the game is going to be a problem for Taylor. As I stated, I think he can be a great QB, but he plays at Noxubee Co. They play some good teams (Starkville, West Point, and Louisville) but they also play the Shannon, Enterprise, and Kemper Co. of the world. Even at 6A level, the speed is COMPLETELY DIFFERENT at the QB position. It's why you never see MS HS QBs come in and immediately play at the P4 level and have success in today's game.

I've watched him. The speed of the game will be fine.

[Pancho]

I've watched him. The speed of the game will be fine.

I think Kemario will be fine too. I seriously doubt all the P5 schools who are offering him those pockets full o change are doubting his ability to adapt to the speed of the game either.
somebody needs to keep Charlies slush fund fully stacked because his dollar amount offers will continue to increase. I have seen him play in person a few times to form my opinion. We have seen bits and pieces of Parson here at State and I'll admit to not seeing MVB in person either. I'll say this, if Lebby is successful @ MSU, the QB position won't be a weakness whether a portal guy is brought in next year or not.

[Jack Lambert]

I our QB slides he will stay healthy but I don't think he likes to slide.

[Mjoelner34]

I our QB slides he will stay healthy but I don't think he likes to slide.

One of his injuries was a concussion he got from a late hit while sliding.

[Bothrops]

Shapen gets hurt and the season is over

It would just get Van Buren early experience and that could be very helpful next year. If we can afford to keep him on the roster.