Mississippi State Football: What To Expect Out Of The Defensive Line In 2023

Mississippi State returns several important figures within the defensive line in 2023.

Heading into the 2023 season, there is much of the same but some significant differences within the defensive line for Mississippi State football.

The Bulldogs lost their anchor in the middle, Cam Young, after he was  drafted in the fourth round by the Seattle Seahawks. In the Zach Arnett 3-3-5 scheme, it is not your traditional defensive line front.

However, Arnett has said that if the defensive line shows good depth, you could see them go to a 4-2-5. Nathan Pickering is expected to take over for Young in the nose guard position. Pickering does not lack experience, as he has played in meaningful snaps since 2020, and he has the most natural talent of anyone else in the room.

Pickering is a former four-star recruit in 2019 and has yet to show his full potential. If he takes a step forward and plays up to his talent, then the sky is the limit for the Bulldog front.

Sophomore Kalvin Dinkins will back up Pickering and provide good depth. Dinkins has transformed his body since he arrived on campus. Expect big things from him in the future.

The next position is the defensive tackle position. Another veteran will be starting here in Jaden Crumedy.

Crumedy will play a three-technique (outside shoulder of the guard). This technique requires an excellent ability to stop the run and rush the passer.

He missed eight games last year due to an injury, and when he played, the defense improved significantly. If any Bulldog lineman is poised to be All-SEC or All-American, it will be Jaden Crumedy.

Finally, the defensive end position will be filled by another veteran. This position is still up in the air as Jordan Davis and Demonte Russell are competing for the job.

These guys have had plenty of experience and would fill the role nicely. The Bulldogs lost their leading sacker from a year ago in linebacker Tyrus Wheat.

MSU will need one of them to pin their ears back and get to the quarterback. I expect to see Davis win the starting role in the Fall.

There is no major standout like Jeffery Simmons or Fletcher Cox on this defensive line, but from top to bottom, this is a stout front for the Bulldogs. The addition of David Turner, a respected veteran for coaching defensive linemen, will only help matters for the Bulldogs.