With senior Chad Bumphis graduating, the departure of former wide receivers’ coach Tim Brewster and the hiring of new receivers’ coach Billy Gonzalez, it has been a spring of changes for the offensive core of Mississippi State football.
The Bulldogs look to improve upon last year’s success and continue giving starting quarterback Tyler Russell plenty of options to throw. Though the Bulldogs are looking to replace Bumphis, who led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns last season, it would seem junior Jameon Lewis and sophomore Joe Morrow are becoming a threat in the Bulldogs’ arsenal.
Offensive coordinator Les Koenning said Russell and Lewis were not on the same page at the beginning of the spring but have progressed in the off season.
“Last year with Chad and Tyler, there was a great connection there,” Koenning said. “They could play ball out there. He (Russell) knew which way he (Bumphis) was breaking. It’s a progress going on with Jameon. Jameon’s doing it right, but Tyler is getting the feel for how he does it. Each receiver is a little different.”
Russell said he is looking forward to working more with Lewis.
“He (Lewis) can make plays,” Russell said. “All you have to do is get the ball in his hands, and he’s going to make a play for you. I think we are starting to get on the same page like Bump (Bumphis) and I last year.”
One group of the MSU offense that has had success in head coach Dan Mullen’s tenure is the running backs, including veteran tailback and 1,000-yard rusher LaDarius Perkins.
Koenning said Perkins will have a big impact on the upcoming season.
“Anytime the ball’s in his hands, he makes something happen outside the backfield,” Koenning said. “The quarterbacks feel comfortable with that.”
The Maroon and White also have strong second options behind Perkins in Derrick Milton, Josh Robinson and Nick Griffin, who combined for 12 Bulldog touchdowns last season. 
The Bulldogs on the offensive line have also been improving on the spring campaign. Veterans Dillon Day, Blaine Clausell, Justin Malone, Charles Siddoway and Damien Robinson anchor the group.
Day said this group of Bulldogs has had great chemistry and exposure on the field.
“It’s chemistry since we have played together. We know how each other plays and we know how to help each other,” Day said. “We know what the other person’s weaknesses are.”
MSU also returns both of its quarterbacks from last year in Russell and Dak Prescott. Russell is healthy, but Prescott has been sidelined with injuries, making Russell’s snaps non-contact. With limited contact in the Bulldogs’ scrimmage last week, Russell went 28 for 40 with 307 yards and six touchdowns.