Bulldog senior Albert Reese grateful to be back on the practice fields

Mississippi State rising senior Albert Reese is no stranger to training camps. But in his final one as a Bulldog, the offensive lineman is grateful to be back on the field. That’s due to Reese missing the entire spring and those 15 practices because of offseason surgery.

After Monday’s practice, Reese met with the media to share his thoughts on camp among other topics:

Q: How does it feel to be back at practice after missing spring ball?
Reese: It feels unreal. I can’t tell you how glad I am to be out there with the guys and just working on my craft again.

Q: Where are you working the most on the offensive line?
Reese: Right now it is split 50/50 between guard and tackle.

Q: Which position do you feel the most comfortable at?
Reese: Honestly, whichever one I can really get used to and get a lot of reps on is the one I am fine doing.

Q: What did you learn while you were away from practice?
Reese: Really I learned how you can’t take anything for granted. Even when you are dead tired or hurting but you can still practice. Don’t take it for granted. Just enjoy every opportunity you get to play this game.

Q: What have you seen from the new linemen that came in from the spring portal?
Reese: I’ve seen a lot of development. Spencer Dowland came in early from high school but now he is getting to where he is more confident and getting better at the game.

Q: How much do you think Jimothy Lewis playing late last year helped him?
Reese: I think it was great to get him out there moreso than how much he played previously. I think it was good experience for him to get in there.

Q: Have you noticed in differences playing for Phil Loadholt now?
Reese: It’s very similar for the most part. The only things that are really different is some of the terminology.

Q: What have you done to help the spring portal guys get up to speed?
Reese: The entire offensive line has helped with that. We would just have player-only meetings in the building and outside the building to just talk ball. That helped us come together and gel.

Q: Was there a point where you felt like you were able to practice again?
Reese: It was no specific point. It was just following what my coaches say, what my trainers say. I’ve just been doing what they’ve been telling me.

Q: How did it feel to walk into that first practice?
Reese: I feel great to be out there instead of watching.

Q: Do you feel like there’s more depth on the line this year?
Reese: 100%. We got a lot of competition, a lot of great players who are ready to play ball this season.

Q: Has your role changed from last season being one of the more experienced guys in the room?
Reese: No, I feel like I have even more experience because it is year five and last year was year four. I feel more prepared and knowledgeable.

Q: How do you feel about guys being in the system for the second year now?
Reese: I think guys have picked it up a little faster than last year. Last year we also did some things outside the building that helped us gel. But this year I feel like we’ve done more of that.

Q: The defensive line has added a lot of size. How different is that in practice?
Reese: We’ve got some big guys, for sure. I am always happy to see that because it means more competition for us, to help us to get better and hold each other to a higher standard.

Q: Do you think this offensive line will rotate more than last year?
Reese: Who knows? Just whoever is ready to play is going to play.

Q: Is it helpful to rotate more as an offensive lineman?
Reese: Anything helps. Having a lot of depth makes sure that everybody plays to a high standard. Nobody’s job is safe and we got to earn it every day.

Q: Is there any difference with the attitude of the offensive line compared to last year?
Reese: The attitude is really the same initiative. To play the best we can and go out and ball.