Video: Mississippi State Discusses QB’s, Replacing Dak & Jeffery Simmons on Media Day

(Photo Courtesy: Kelly Price, MSU Athletics)

(6:00pm Report: 4-QB battle)

(5:00pm Report: Jeffery Simmons arrives)

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – Mississippi State football held its annual media day on the eve of the squad’s first practice on Monday afternoon at the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.

Eighth-year head coach Dan Mullen, new defensive coordinator Peter Sirmon, co-offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Billy Gonzales and co-offensive coordinator/offensive line coach John Hevesy as well as select players addressed the media.

“What an exciting time of year,” Mullen said. “I know everybody in this building cannot wait to get out there on the field. As players, you put in so much work, a lot of work before you get to play the first game again. They go through conditioning in the winter, spring ball, conditioning all summer and training, trying to get bigger, faster, stronger and get their body in shape and ready to go.”

Sirmon takes over a defense that returns six of its top seven tacklers from a year ago and over 70 percent of its 2015 tackle production. The squad will be multiple schematically.

“I want to play the defense that gives us the best opportunity to stop people from moving the ball and scoring,” Sirmon said. “I know 3-4 and 4-3 is nice, clean and tidy and it can communicate your defense, but we will be a multiple front defense. We are recruiting guys that have great size and athleticism to play in multiple fronts. I think it is real positive for us with the style of play. It becomes what do you have to stop to win the game?”

The Bulldogs will hold position meetings in the morning and then go through their first workout of camp later Tuesday afternoon. MSU will spend the day in helmets and shorts. The first full pads practice is slated for Saturday, which is also the first day the Bulldogs head to “The Farm.”