LaDarius Perkins is the
speedster. Nick Griffin is the
comedian. Along with redshirt
freshmen Josh Robinson
and Derek Milton, they are
the Bulldog running backs
being counted on to replace
the production of star tailback
Vick Ballard, who will likely
be heading to the NFL.
In years past, there has been
one thing fans of Mississippi
State football
could rely
on: no matter
who was
the coach or
how bad the
team may
have been,
the Bulldogs
would always
have a
talented ball
carrier or two
to “tote the
rock.” This
has proven
to be the
case under
head coach
Dan Mullen,
whose
spread-option
offense
has resulted
in the two
starting running
backs
during his
tenure, Anthony
Dixon and Ballard,
both rewriting the Bulldog
record book.
Ballard graduated from
MSU, along with starting
quarterback Chris Relf, who
was a talented runner in his
own right, and the MSU offense
is in somewhat of a
transitional phase as it adapts
to quarterbacks Tyler Russell
and Dak Prescott. Perkins
said he is excited about the
expanded role running backs
will have in the offense, particularly
in the passing game.
“We are trying to make
more plays for the offense this
year. We are trying to have a
high-octane offense,” Perkins
said. “We have been throwing
the ball all over the place a lot
lately, so that is what we plan
on doing during the season.
We are trying to do whatever
the running backs can to contribute
to that.”
If MSU is going to involve
the running backs in the passing
game more, Perkins may
benefit the most. He has already
proven
to be a threat
in the passing
game, but he
could become
e x t r e m e l y
dangerous as
a receiver if
he is able to
consistently
get the ball in
open space,
where his
speed and
quickness can
make him a
nightmare for
defenders.
G r i f f i n
may not be
considered a
speedster, but
after missing
most of last
season with
a knee injury
suffered last
spring, he is
healthy and
proving to be an all-around
back.
With Griffin considered the
more prototypical running
back and Perkins the speedster,
many people are quick
to label them a “thunder and
lightning” type of duo, something
Griffin rejects.
“It is a nice one-two combo,”
Griffin said. “They try
to give us just one thing we
are good at, but we are both
all-round backs.”
Perkins and Griffin may get
most of the hype, but Robinson
and Milton are proving
to be talented ball carriers in
their own right. Mullen has
insinuated several times this
is the deepest group of running
backs he has had during
his time at State. At 5’9, 215
lbs., Robinson has showcased
a unique blend of power and
speed, and Milton has made
his fair share of plays as well.
Perkins said he believes
both are progressing well this
spring.
“Both of them are still
learning, but they are going
to be good backs,” Perkins
said.
Robinson and Milton may
still be learning the offense,
but Griffin already mastered
how to entertain Bulldog fans
and players alike. A Twitter
celebrity of sorts due to his
humorous observations and
witty remarks directed at
teammates, Griffin (@MacGrifferous
on Twitter) said he
believes people like him for
who he is.
“I just be myself, and I
guess everyone likes it,” Griffin
said while laughing.
Griffin, Perkins and the rest
of the Bulldogs will have the
opportunity to showcase their
off-season improvements Saturday
in the Maroon and
White game held here