Week three of college football rapidly approaches, as the LSU football offense gets set to face off against an experienced Mississippi State defense on Saturday. Today, weâll look at three Bulldog defenders (Nathaniel Watson, Jett Johnson and Decamerion Richardson) who could significantly impact this weekendâs outcome.
Three names to know on the Mississippi State defense
Graduate LB Nathaniel Watson
The theme of the day is experience and linebacker. For graduate linebacker Nathaniel Watson, he just so happens to fit both categories.
The Mississippi State defense veteran is officially in his sixth season with the program, which includes nearly 30 starts. However, he doesnât stop at experience. In 2022, he was one of the most sure-fire tacklers in the SEC, racking up 113 tackles, good enough for second in the conference.
Now, in 2023, he pairs up with fellow graduate linebacker Jett Johnson (more on him later) to make up one of the best linebacker rooms in the conference.
So far, heâs been as good as advertised, having made 18 total tackles in two games. The veteran linebacker has been living in the opponentâs backfield all season, particularly against Southeastern Louisiana, as he picked up a career-high 1.5 sacks in that game.
Nathaniel Watson is, without a doubt, a player to keep an eye on this Saturday. Blocking him will be crucial if the Tigers hope to run the ball up the middle.
Graduate LB Jett Johnson
Yet another player who matches the experience and linebacker theme is graduate Jett Johnson.
The veteran linebacker out of Tupelo, MS, has been an impact player for the Bulldogs just about his entire six seasons with the program. In total, heâs put up 223 tackles, including 18 for loss and three interceptions. Notably, two of those interceptions came just last week vs. Arizona.
Similarly to his teammate Nathaniel Watson, Johnson has experienced an incredibly productive 2023 thus far. Through just two games, heâs made 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Itâs safe to say he does just about everything for this Mississippi State defense. Heâll likely play as a major factor in this weekendâs game, both in the running and passing game.
No matter the play, quarterback Jayden Daniels needs to know where Jett Johnson is at all times. Heâs the heart and soul of this defense and could be significant late in the game.
Senior CB Decamerion Richardson
The lone non-linebacker on this list is cornerback Decamerion Richardson.
While he doesnât get the same amount of name recognition as the previous two, Richardson is a pivotal piece of this Mississippi State defense. Thatâs not just a 2023 thing, either, as he was one of the best tacklers on the team in 2022.
Last season, he recorded 85 total tackles to go along with his three passes deflected. For a cornerback, thatâs practically unheard of because of how far out they typically line up.
However, if you watch him play, itâs not hard to see why he was able to put up those kinds of numbers.
He plays hard and never waits to go and make a play. This is the kind of player that every defense would be lucky to have. While thereâs not much LSU football will likely do to scheme around him, heâll undoubtedly be a player to watch.
LSU football vs. Mississippi State is set to kick off at 11:00 a.m. CST this Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, MS.
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