As mentioned previously, Mississippi State’s defense took a step back under Joe Moorhead and that was disappointing after watching what Dan Mullen had built.
While Mike Leach is an offensive mind, adding Zach Arnett to the staff as a defensive coordinator should pay major dividends for the Bulldogs as he was one of the most sought-after assistant coaches this offseason. With that fresh mind could come a fresh outlook on defense with a newcomer like Jordan Davis getting a serious look.
Like Malik Heath, Davis is a JUCO transfer from Copiah-Lincoln and is ranked the No. 5 prospect from that level in the country as well as the No. 1 weak-side defensive end. He has tremendous size at 6-5, 249 pounds and should be ready to see action right away.
Davis is also an even more valuable, yet experienced, option than the rest of his 2020 classmates because of the voids left at defensive end with departures of Chauncey Rivers and Marquiss Spencer.
Will Davis see the field as a starter for the Bulldogs this fall? Probably not right away, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he won the job at some point during the season.