STARKVILLE- Mississippi State football Defensive back Hunter Washington says he and his defensive teammates coined a phrase brought up by coaches in the offseason: Chew on the elephant.
Affirmation is described as taking one bite at a time – in this case, on the field.
“Just take it one day at a time,” he said. “Just focus on one part and build it as we go.”
MSU and Washington are following that expression as the Bulldogs approach their season opener at home, Aug. 31 (5 p.m. CT, SEC Network+) against Eastern Kentucky.
Last season, MSU ranked sixth in total defense in the SEC, averaging 350.58 yards and 35 touchdowns allowed per game.
MSU defenders see solid secondary
Washington felt a sense of accomplishment after the Bulldogs finished the 2023 season with a 5-7 record and lost a bowl game for the first time since 2009. He took a step back and understood his role in the secondary: focusing more on the team than in yourself.
“To help my team reach a higher standard and take my teammates to the next level,” he said. “I’m here to help people and also focus on myself, but I put the team before myself.”
Washington is entering his third season at MSU and has nine tackles in 14 combined games — he was injured in the second half of last season — after transferring from Florida State in 2021.
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With transfers and newcomers, he praised the improvement in the secondary since the spring.
“I like to praise young people because it was hard when you got to college and things like that,” he said. “But they really stepped up to the plate by coming to this fall camp. I’m very proud of them.
“All (the defenders) were better. We came as a group and our objective is to reach the best.”
Washington said on the other side of the line, having a strong core of receivers helps them during practice, and the defenders are taking advantage of that.
“It makes us better,” he said. “Going against fast receivers or tight ends, we get all types of threats. I like the offense, too.”
The linebacker core aims to replicate last season’s success
The duo of Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson were MSU’s main standouts last fall. Watson — who had a career high of 137 tackles and was named first-team All-SEC last season — was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in April in the sixth round. Jett Johnson, who had a career high of 130 tackles, was named second-team All-SEC and worked out for the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
But linebackers Stone Blanton and John Lewis know they are in charge of the defense this fall.
“Our defense is young, but we have a lot of experience there, with a lot of new guys coming in with a lot of talent,” said Blanton, who transferred from South Carolina and had 52 tackles. “The linebacker room is full of talent… We have players there, so I’m super excited to play this season.”
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Lewis, who recorded 20 tackles last season, expects a high-energy defense from defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, but no one is more excited than Blanton.
“He was loud every day,” Lewis said. “So if I need someone to count on to pick me up, it’ll be Stone.”
The two are the presumed starters at linebacker. Coach Jeff Lebby also brought in college transfer Branden Jennings.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports and more for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or contact him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
This article originally appeared in the Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football defense seeking higher standard in practice
