STARKVILLE ? Within minutes of the start of Mississippi State football?s first spring practice on Tuesday, quarterback Will Rogers was sprinting to the line of scrimmage, flashing hand signals to his receivers and shouting at his offensive line to get set. In the first look at a fresh season under head coach Zach Arnett and offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay, there was little time wasted.

The new regime wants to move with pace and purpose.

?We started practice really, really fast with some up-tempo plays ? good on go,? Rogers said. ?It was good to be out flying around with the guys and learning a new scheme.?

Barbay has wasted little time in throwing the playbook at his new roster. He had running back Jo?quavious Marks tossing reverses to receiver Lideatrick Griffin. He had defensive players slotting in at tight end. He had Vanderbilt transfer quarterback Mike Wright coming off the edge and burning defenders.

Though certain schemes are still incorporated, the true Air Raid run by former coach Mike Leach has been replaced by a system players such as Marks haven?t seen since high school. It also has created an external challenge for Rogers.

The Brandon, Mississippi, native came to Mississippi State to play in the Air Raid, and it?s resulted in him putting up impressive numbers and breaking records. It?s also placed the label of a system quarterback on him by many, which has given Rogers something to prove even with the regular season six months away.

?At the end of the day, you can play football or you can?t,? Rogers said. ?It?s football. I don?t care what system you?re in. You can throw and catch the ball, or you can?t.?

Welcome Mike Wright
The first question Rogers fielded about Wright was blunt: Mike Wright is a very different quarterback than you are, what?s that dynamic been like in the quarterback room?

?Are you saying I can?t run,? Rogers responded. He paused for a second.

?I?m messing with you, man," he followed up.

Wright?s rushing ability is new in an offense that has rarely attempted even a quarterback sneak since 2020. Rogers? last keeper with Leach came late in the Egg Bowl where he fumbled at the goal line.

Pushing for Rogers? starting spot won?t be easy for Wright, but it?s evident he can be utilized in special packages. His experience in the SEC is vital too.

Rogers cited Ole Miss as an example, with Oklahoma State transfer Spencer Sanders and LSU transfer Walker Howard pushing for Jaxson Dart's starting job.

?If you?re a competitor, it really doesn?t matter,? Rogers said.

Old faces, new positions
Mississippi State has a pair of transfer tight ends from national championship participants on the roster. However, Georgia?s Ryland Goede and TCU?s Geor'Quarius Spivey won?t be available until the summer.

Barbay has taken players from Matt Brock?s defense to fill in. Linebacker Ty Cooper and defensive lineman Jacarius Clayton joined wide receiver Antonio Harmon and offensive tackle Malik Ellis in making the shift.

?They?ve done a really good job, and they?ve had a great attitude about it,? Rogers said. ?They?ve done everything coach has asked them to do. That?s all you can ask for in spring. Spring is a time where you?re trying to learn, especially now with a new system.?

Along with the increase in touches, the new system provides an extra blocker ahead of running backs.

?I haven?t ever followed a tight end,? Marks said. ?It?s another blocker getting downhill, so it?ll be good.?