The Revamped Bulldog Offensive Line is Taking Shape
Mississippi State’s offensive line features many new faces, and the unit has shown significant improvement in various aspects.
Change is a constant, especially for Mississippi State football fans, who have witnessed considerable turnover over the past seven years. With Jeff Lebby stepping in as the new head coach, he becomes the fifth individual to hold this position since the 2017 season.
In today’s college football landscape, fans are accustomed to learning new player names each year due to the transfer portal. Mississippi State has made a strong effort to tap into this portal, leading to a complete transformation of several position groups.
The offensive line has undergone the biggest overhaul since Lebby’s arrival, as none of the starters returned and the previous coach was not retained. Lebby brought in Cody Kennedy, a former Arkansas coach, to lead the offensive line, which seems to be an excellent match.
Kennedy was a semifinalist for the Broyles Award (recognizing the top assistant coach) in 2021 while coaching under Razorback offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who employs a similar veer-and-shoot system to Lebby’s. However, Kennedy realized he had a lot of work ahead of him before stepping onto the field, and he has been impressive in his role.
“It’s day one here, and we have no returning starters. The first thing is you gotta go recruit,” Kennedy said. “In this day and age, you gotta take advantage of the transfer portal, and we brought four guys in, and they are all going to be contributors.”
Kennedy’s hard work has clearly paid off, as he’s assembled a skilled group of offensive linemen with extensive experience. The lineup now includes Makylan Pounders (Memphis), Ethan Miner (North Texas), Marlon Martinez (LSU), and Jacoby Jackson (Texas Tech).
Building a roster or unit through the transfer portal can be tricky, particularly because veteran players often seek a guaranteed starting position. However, Kennedy didn’t face these challenges with his new recruits.
“The players we brought in through the portal are quite experienced and understand that they need to compete for their positions,” Kennedy mentioned.
For the offensive line to perform consistently, experience is crucial. Even though the Bulldogs didn’t return any starters from last year’s team, their portal additions bring a total of 64 starts to the table.
“Yeah, I think it’s huge when you get here and realize no starters are coming back…. but we have alot of guys that played alot of college football,” Kennedy said. “It may not be in Maroon while doing it, but alot of those guys are bringing that edge and older mentality.”
espite the influx of talent from the transfer portal, Albert Reese, a lineman entering his fourth season in Starkville, has consistently earned praise from the coaching staff. The native of Edmonton, Alberta, took first-team reps at left guard during the MSU spring game but has also demonstrated his versatility by working at right tackle.
The 6-foot-7, 330-pound player was one of three representatives for MSU at SEC Media Days, indicating that this Bulldog veteran is stepping up as a leader. Reese noted that despite many newcomers, the team’s camaraderie is strong.
“We have bonded really well, especially considering our diverse backgrounds,” Reese said.
Like many teammates, he has navigated through various coaching changes, both head coaches and position coaches. Kennedy is focused on instilling a specific mentality in the group, and Reese highlighted what his new coach emphasizes.
“There are three key principles: effort, physicality, and execution,” Reese said. “He insists on these every practice.”
Kennedy has a solid reputation for coaching offensive linemen, but his recruiting skills have truly stood out during his initial months on campus. He has assembled a roster that prioritizes team chemistry over merely adding talent.
A selfless mindset is crucial for an offensive line, but Kennedy noted that this quality has become somewhat rare in modern college football. He provided insight into his recruiting approach while emphasizing the importance of building his unit effectively.
“Honesty in the recruiting process is essential. While opportunities exist, if you focus on entitlement when challenges arise, players won’t rise to the occasion,” Kennedy explained. “Every day acts as a job interview, and while there will be chances, it’s up to you to maintain your position.”
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