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STARKVILLE, Miss. — Mississippi State football released its first depth chart on Monday ahead of Saturday’s season opener against Louisiana Tech at Davis Wade Stadium. The game will kick off at 3 p.m. CT and be televised by ESPNU.
The most notable part of the depth chart is the “or” at starting quarterback, but that’s not abnormal for programs led by Mike Leach. Sophomore Will Rogers and South Alabama transfer Chance Lovertich will compete for the starting job.
At the starting running back spot, sophomores Jo’quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson also got the “or” treatment, while redshirt senior Austin Williams and sophomore Jaden Walley are battling for the starting spot at the “Y” receiver.
There are also two special teams position battles at punter and long snapper. Redshirt senior Tucker Day and redshirt sophomore Archer Trafford will compete for the punting duties, while either redshirt freshman Hayes Hammond or redshirt freshman Colby Cox will handle the long-snapping duties.
Week 1 Depth Chart:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Will Rogers
OR
Chance Lovertich
Running back
Jo’quavious Marks
OR
Dillon Johnson
Wide receiver (X)
Malik Heath
Lideatrick Griffin
Wide receiver (H)
Jamire Calvin
Rufus Harvey
Left tackle
Charles Cross
Nick Jones
Left guard
Kameron Jones
Cole Smith
Center
LaQuinston Sharp
Cole Smith
Right guard
Kwatrivous Johnson
Cordavien Suggs
Right tackle
Scott Lashley
Albert Reese IV
Wide receiver (Y)
Austin Williams
OR
Jaden Walley
Christian Ford
Wide receiver (Z)
Makai Polk
Caleb Ducking
DEFENSE
Defensive end
Randy Charlton
De’Monte Russell
Nose guard
Cameron Young
Nathan Pickering
Defensive tackle
Jaden Crumedy
Jack Harris
Sam linebacker
Tyrus Wheat
Sherman Timbs
OR
Rodney Groce Jr.
Mike linebacker
Nathaniel Watson
DeShawn Page
Will linebacker
Aaron Brule
Jett Johnson
Cornerback
Martin Emerson
Decamerion Richardson
Cornerback
Emmanuel Forbes
Esaias Furdge
Free safety
Collin Duncan
Jay Jimison
Strong safety
Jalen Green
Dylan Lawrence
Bulldog
Fred Peters
Shawn Preston Jr.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker
Brandon Ruiz
Nolan McCord
Punter
Tucker Day
OR
Archer Trafford
Kickoff specialist
Brandon Ruiz
Scott Goodman
Kick returner
Lideatrick Griffin
Jo’quavious Marks
Punt returner
Austin Williams
Emmanuel Forbes
Long snapper
Hayes Hammond
OR
Colby Cox
Holder
Tucker Day