Who are Mississippi State football’s strongest, fastest players? New strength coach weighs in

STARKVILLE — Shaud Williams ’ first order of business as Mississippi State football’s new strength and conditioning coach was building relationships with the players. But that doesn’t mean the weights weren’t being pumped either.

Williams spoke with the media following Thursday’s practice for the first time since he was hired by first-year Bulldogs coach Jeff Lebby in December. He provided insight into his philosophies he’s installed in the weight room, while also identifying who are some of the strongest and fastest Bulldogs.

Among the strongest, Williams said, are redshirt freshman defensive lineman Trevion Williams and senior center Ethan Miner. As for the fastest players, Williams identified redshirt freshman cornerback Kelley Jones and wide receivers Mario Craver and Kevin Coleman.

“Those are just some guys that stand out,” Williams said. “There are obviously some other guys that if we go back and look at it, had a great off-season.”

What Shaud Williams, former NFL running back, said about Mississippi State

This is Shaud Williams’ first time as a head strength and conditioning coach in college football. He played in the NFL as a running back for the Buffalo Bills from 2004-07 and came to Mississippi State after six seasons as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Oregon.

“I think regardless of what kind of program you put together, if you don't have the guys bought in and they don’t trust you, it’s not going to matter,” he said. “Building relationships, building that trust, letting those guys know that whatever you’re doing you have their best interests at heart. I really feel like it doesn’t matter what program you put together. You got to have trust.”

Shaud Williams said he classifies the players in three groups: the big boys, combos and skill guys. He and his four assistants are designated to lead programs with one of the groups, with Williams overseeing the skill players.

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Sam Sklar is the Southern Miss beat reporter for the Hattiesburg American. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Who are Mississippi State football’s strongest, fastest players? New strength coach weighs in