Offensive line coach Marcus Johnson likes what he is seeing lately in practice.
Entering his second season at Mississippi State following six years on David Cutcliffe’s staff at Duke, Johnson is tasked with developing an offensive line he expects could go as many as eight or nine players deep in its rotation.
“It’s a tough group,” he said. “It’s a physical group. They hold each other accountable.”
Speaking with the media Wednesday, Johnson said Tuesday’s practice was among the best the offensive line has had this offseason after he got a chance to go back and watch the film.
And while the practices have been promising, Johnson’s task of sorting through an experienced, yet newly positioned group remains difficult.
After a standout career at guard, senior Darryl Williams has moved even further inside to center. A team captain this year, Johnson said the vocal component of the position suits Williams.
“I think he kind of wanted to be in that role,” Johnson said. “Very communicative, high football IQ, gets it and knows the game, knows when to make adjustment call and he does a great job putting the five (lineman) on the right page.”
Senior left tackle Tyre Phillips is another of the veterans who’ve impressed in fall camp. Tasked with protecting either Tommy Stevens or Keytaon Thompson’s blindside, the 6-foot-5, 345-pound mauler is pegged for a breakout season.
“I expect a big year out of Tyre,” Johnson said. “He’s a big athlete that I think is going to hold his own and I think a lot of people are going to recognize who he is this year.”
Greenwood’s Kwatrivous Johnson, a 6-foot-8, 335-pound redshirt freshman, is listed as Phillips’ backup. The former Greenwood High School Under Armour All-American has dropped about 50 pounds since arriving in Starkville.
