WATCH: Mississippi State receiver Kevin Coleman comfortable in new surroundings
In the previous recruiting cycle, Mississippi State had a major need at receiver and a need for more talent to run head coach Jeff Lebby’s offense. There was also a need for older receivers from the transfer portal to help replace a couple of big pieces that are no longer on the roster.
Former Louisville transfer Kevin Coleman was one of two transfer receivers added by Mississippi State, and is he looking to showcase his talents at another Power 5 program this fall. Earlier this week, Coleman met with media after practice to discuss his journey to Starkville and also shared his thoughts on spring practice:
Q: How’s the adjustment been getting used to a new program?
Coleman: It’s been great. I’ve been loving Starkville. I feel like it’s home. Even though it’s my third school I really like this school. I really enjoy it, enjoy my teammates, enjoy Coach (Jeff) Lebby and working with Coach Lebby. Coach Lebby is a great guy to be working for and playing for.
Q: What appealed to you about Mississippi State and made you want to come here?
Coleman: His offense. It’s explosive and he gets the ball to his guys and let them work in the open field.
Q: How do you feel like this wide receiver group stacks up with other groups you’ve been a part of?
Coleman: We can be elite. We’ve got a couple of guys that’s older and are really good. But the young guys have surprised me. All of them have been working hard each and every day, learning. They are humble guys so they are listening and learning, and they put the work in. So I feel like this receivers’ group can really be special.
Q: How have you and receiver Kelly Akharaiyi embraced that leadership role?
Coleman: I feel like as soon as we walked in, we took a leadership role early. As soon as we walked in the guys were humble enough to let it be us. Coach introduced us as the older guys and the leaders. I feel like the younger guys and the other people just followed along.
Q: What brought you to Mississippi?
Coleman: Just Coach Lebby and the offense. And also Coach Lebby as a person. I feel like he’s a great guy and he understood what I went through with my journey. My career didn’t start out how I wanted it to start out and I feel like it is going to finish how I want it to, especially with Coach Lebby. He knows my journey well and where I want to be. So I felt like I wanted to come here.
Q: How’s the competition going so far at slot receiver?
Coleman: It’s going very well. We’ve got Creed (Whittemore) and we got Mario Craver that play slot. Those are some great guys to have behind me. Every one of us can go in at slot and compete and execute.
Q: Your thoughts on the quarterback room?
Coleman: We’ve got a lot of great quarterbacks. I feel like Blake (Shapen) is QB1 right now and he’s a great quarterback. I’m happy to have him as my quarterback. I feel like the chemistry we got is going to be very explosive and we will make a lot of big plays.
Q: What were you able to learn from your jump to the Power 5 level at Louisville?
Coleman: Just the physical part. You have to play strong. You have to get in the weight roomand you got to be working each and every day. I feel like everything else is the same.
