New era bringing new energy for Albert Reese, Bulldog offensive line
Four years into his college football career, Albert Reese has experienced as much change as anyone on the Mississippi State football team.
After spending two years learning the Air Raid under Mike Leach and offensive line coach Mason Miller, Reese and the Bulldogs made the switch to Kevin Barbay’s more conservative offense last season to some struggles.
Instability within the program since Leach’s passing has been something that the Bulldogs have dealt with over the last year, but things are changing. This spring saw a new era begin with the hiring of coach Jeff Lebby and Reese and his teammates are feeling new life.
“I think our culture has improved a lot, especially on the oline,” Reese said. “We’re all kind of on the same page. Even though people are new, it feels like we’ve known each other for all of these years. Our chemistry is good, and I feel like it will be one of our best attributes.”
Lebby’s offense bringing the best out of offensive line
The culture is one change for the Bulldogs but the offense is a whole different ball game.
State produced one of the SEC’s worst offenses a year ago under head coach Zach Arnett and the OC Barbay and Director of Athletics Zac Selmon set out to find an offense that would bring excitement back to Starkville.
Since Reese’s arrival at State back in 2021, there hasn’t been an offense quite like Lebby’s veer and shoot concepts. The Air Raid delivered a different dynamic, but the Bulldogs are bringing explosiveness to Davis Wade Stadium this fall and the offensive line has felt rejuvenated.
Reese and his squad up front have been working to perfect the offense all spring long and the fans got their first taste of it last Saturday at the Maroon-White Spring Game inside DWS. There were plenty of reasons to be excited about what they saw.
“In terms of growth, I’d say tempo. We’ve tried tempo since I’ve been here, but it’s never been this emphasized as this time around, so it’s been good,” Reese said. “It was definitely tough (Saturday), but the more we go through that tempo, the better shape we’re going to be in.”
Reese’s versatility uncommon among State blockers
Reese was a player that oozed potential all the way back to high school and is on the cusp of coming into his own in this offensive scheme.
After redshirting his first season on campus in 2021, the talented blocker played in all 13 games in 2022 and started in the Bulldogs’ bowl game win over Illinois. While he didn’t start last season his reps improved in his 12 games played as he worked 133 snaps and didn’t allow a sack on the year.
With experience under his belt, Reese is now ready for his turn. He’s also given himself options on where that position may be. Over his career – and even this spring – Reese has worked everywhere on the line except for center. He is coach Cody Kennedy’s Swiss Army Knife and he is ready to go to battle wherever he is needed.
Though he started the spring game at left guard, Reese is prepared to play either guard or tackle spot and do it well.
“I feel very versatile. I have played a lot of positions since I’ve been here from freshman year until now but especially this spring,” Reese said. “I’ve been rotating a decent bit at left tackle, left guard and been at right tackle and I feel good at all of them.”
With the spring complete, Reese and his teammate now hit the weight room and the practice field for conditioning as the team works towards fall camp in August.
