Week three of college football rapidly approaches, as the LSU football offense gets set to face off against an experiencedĀ Mississippi State defenseĀ on Saturday. Today, weāll look at three Bulldog defenders (Nathaniel Watson, Jett Johnson and Decamerion Richardson) who could significantly impact this weekendās 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 doesnāt 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, heās been as good as advertised, having made 18 total tackles in two games. The veteran linebacker has been living in the opponentās backfield all season, particularly against Southeastern Louisiana, as he picked up aĀ 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, heās put up 223 tackles, including 18 for loss and three interceptions. Notably,Ā two of those interceptions came just last weekĀ vs. Arizona.
Similarly to his teammate Nathaniel Watson, Johnson has experienced an incredibly productive 2023 thus far. Through just two games, heās made 17 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.
Itās safe to say he does just about everything for this Mississippi State defense. Heāll likely play as a major factor in this weekendās 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. Heās 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 doesnāt get the same amount of name recognition as the previous two, Richardson is a pivotal piece of this Mississippi State defense. Thatās not just a 2023 thing, either, as he was one of the best tacklers on the team in 2022.
Last season, he recordedĀ 85 total tackles to go along with his three passes deflected. For a cornerback, thatās practically unheard of because of how far out they typically line up.
However, if you watch him play, itās 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 thereās not much LSU football will likely do to scheme around him, heāll 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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