I guess the purging of malcontents has officially begun at Mississippi State football.
On Oct. 12, Mike Leach spoke about how all new coaches must struggle through “malcontents” and players who don’t buy into the new system of doing things. Since then, eight players have left the team.
All-American running back Kylin Hill headlines the group of departures as he will opt out of the rest of the season to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Hill was convinced to return this season, forgoing the NFL, to improve his draft stock.
Last season Hill was arguably the best running back in the SEC, rushing 242 times for 1,350 yards and 10 touchdowns. This season though has been a major disappointment for Hill only rushing the ball 15 times for 58 yards adding 23 catches for 237 yards in three games.
“Mississippi will always be my home,” Hill said on Twitter. “We’ve made history together, both on and off the field, and as we move on to the next level, that work will only continue.”
Along with Hill, junior wide receiver Tyrell Shavers, junior defensive end Tre Lawson, freshman defensive end Jamari Stewart, freshman offensive lineman Nick Pendley, senior running back Kareem Walker, and sophomore quarterbacks Garrett Shrader and Jalen Mayden have all left the team. All except for Stewart have already entered the transfer portal.
Shaver’s’ time as a Bulldog was certainly short-lived. After transferring from Alabama back in early June, Shavers will finish his season and career at Mississippi State with nine catches for 107 yards and one touchdown.
For Shrader, his departure leaves a lingering ‘what if’ question up in the air. In 10 games as a true freshman last season, Shrader went for 1,170 passing yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions. He was also incredibly mobile, rushing the ball 113 times for 587 yards and six scores. After having his position changed to wide receiver in the offseason by Leach, Shrader only accumulated one catch for eight yards.
According to Leach himself, we could be expecting more departures in the near future. On Oct. 28, Leach spoke in the SEC coaches’ teleconference about the possibility of more players leaving the team.
“I’d be surprised if we don’t lose more,” Leach said. “If you’re stunned or nervous, I mean, you better brace yourself because we might lose more.”
Photo courtesy of MSU Athletic Communications
