Anthony Tucker's Bulldog running backs locked and loaded for big year

If there’s one position group on the Mississippi State roster that could go toe-to-toe with just about any team around the conference in talent and depth, it’s the Bulldog running backs.

Anthony Tucker brings back leading rusher Davon Booth for one final season along with Johnnie Daniels and he added one of the top backs in the transfer portal in Fluff Bothwell. Along with that trio that is leading the way, Tucker has talented sophomore Xavier Gayten as well as exciting freshmen Kolin Wilson and Geron Johnson and a rehabbing speedster in Seth Davis.

The group is preparing for a really big battle in training camp beginning this week to see who emerges to take the most reps and how the pecking order settles. Tucker previewed all of that and broke down his unit recently with the State media.

Question: What’s the impression of your group so far?

AT: “We have experience back. Von coming back after the year that he had last year and having an opportunity to capitalize on that; Johnnie Daniels is another guy. Anytime you have –  especially in this climate of college football – returning players that have had production and they’re older guys, that’s when things start to get fun and the development piece is really important.

“You add Fluff  who as a true freshman last year had a great season. He’s really fit in with our culture and who we are very well. There’s a bunch of guys in that room that we’re very excited about and have really come along. We have four or five guys that are guys that have already been on college football campuses, had production and guys that have been in our program. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

Q: What’s that competition going to be like this training camp?

AT: “The same thing they’ve been doing. First of all, it’s a really close-knit group. The spirit of our room is ‘big we, little me.’ There’s not contention amongst each other; those guys are pushing each other – competing. You see those guys running in the summer, lifting – they have a great time working hard together. They also know that somebody’s got to run out there first and that’s part of it as well.

“Traditionally in this offense, we’ve had a ton of production at that position and in the run game and what those guys are responsible for so they also know it’s going to take a group of guys. The more depth you have, the stronger you are you want to play for a long time through the season and be productive in November and when it really gets tough. You’ve got to have more than one guy or more than two guys. There is daily competition with those guys.”

Q: What was that time like in December when you started to realize that Davon Booth could be coming back this year?

AT: “All of that kind of happened really fast because it was happening somewhere else in college football. He and I were having conversations – because we have a relationship – with the steps he was taken next in his career. Then that kind of popped up and we had a conversation about it. I had no idea whether that was going to be possible or not. Then when it was a reality, it was an easy decision for him and it was a really easy decision for us.”

Q: Is there something that Fluff, Johnnie or Davon do that the others don’t? Is there a unique thing that you like?

AT: “All three are unique, however with what we do, you have to be well-rounded. You have to be an every-down guy. That’s the skill set you have to possess. Body types are a little bit different and they all bring their unique flavor to it, but they’re all very well-rounded. Fluff is a bigger, more physically imposing guy but also very well-rounded. He has some good feet and some elusiveness.

Johnnie is a really strong guy in the weight room, elusive and to me he has great vision tackle-to-tackle and great feel with footwork. Von is the consummate, most experienced guy and is really taking pride in developing his football IQ in the classroom. That’s helped his game become even more well-rounded and slowed the game down for him.

“They’re all very unique, but with what we do you’ve got to be a well-rounded game. You’ve got to be able to run the football, you’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback and we like to use our backs in the passing game as well.”

Q: The run game got off to a slow start last season but got going late in the year. How much different could that look early this year?

AT: “I think from our side of it, from the running back room, there’s no substitute for experience. Everything is new a year ago. Now you’re able to grow on the new. When it comes to the run game, you always want to point to the (offensive line) or some other reason. The o-line and the running backs are connected. If we’re not doing what we’re supposed to be doing back there, if we’re not detailed in what we do back there, we’re not helping those guys help us. The experienced piece and development piece will allow us to start a little stronger.”

Q: What does Fluff bring to the running back room?

AT: “His personality fits who we are as a culture. He’s got a ton of energy; he’s the same guy everyday. He’s consistent and always smiling. Wants to be coached – wants to be coached hard. Yes sir, no sir, no entitlement or any of that type of deal. He fills our workman, blue collar, dirty hard work in the dark type of mentality. He’s young and is really playful a lot, but he’s really sharp, especially for a young guy. He really fit into our locker room and who we are as an organization. From the strength and conditioning staff, to our room, to the team, he’s been a great addition.”