Seydou Traore was itching to get back on the field last season and make plays for Mississippi State. After having a breakout season as a sophomore in 2022 at Arkansas State, Traore had transferred to Colorado to play for Deion Sanders but was on the move again after the spring. Due to transfer rules by […]
Seydou Traore was itching to get back on the field last season and make plays for Mississippi State.
After having a breakout season as a sophomore in 2022 at Arkansas State, Traore had transferred to Colorado to play for Deion Sanders but was on the move again after the spring. Due to transfer rules by the NCAA, a transfer to Starkville forced him to sit out for a season.
Traore watched as the Bulldog offense struggled under head coach Zac Arnett and offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay, but the next season brought promise with Jeff Lebby. Traore would finish second on the team last year in catches and some good moments along the way, but he’s ready to prove himself to be even greater this season.
“I feel much more confident second year in this playbook and second year with a lot of these players,” Traore said of his second season. “When you know the playbook more, you think faster. Not saying I was hesitant last year, but this year I can unleash and play faster.”
Traore looking for improvement of entire offense in 2025
Year one for Traore and everyone in Maroon and White was filled with a lot of adversity. The Bulldogs finished 2-10 and the offense sputtered at times with injuries to players like quarterback Blake Shapen creating inconsistencies.
Traore finished with 34 catches for 361 yards and a touchdown, but he also struggled in aspects of the game. Specifically, Traore noted that he has to be a better blocker for the run game and in the perimeter in the passing game. That’s been a point of emphasis this summer.
“I think definitely my blocking game,” Traore said of his recent improvements. “Pass catching has always been a strength of mine, but I’m really dominating in the blocking game right now.”
Traore has had no choice but to improve with the added additions in the room this offseason.
With Cameron Ball graduated and the Bulldogs down to just two scholarship tight ends after last season, tight ends coach Jon Cooper got a high school tight end in Joseph Skipworth out of Pace (Fla) and he had additions out of the transfer portal in Eastern Michigan’s Max Reese and Indiana’s Sam West.
Those additions have created a sense of urgency for Traore to perform at his best.
“Our freshman (Skipworth) and our two transfers, Max and Sam are great guys. I love the energy, I love how they play as well and they’re going to be good additions to the room,” Traore said. “Coach Coop says, ‘it’s not personal, but take it personal.’ If someone is coming for your spot, it motivates me. If that doesn’t fuel your fire even more…”
Since the spring, Cooper has certainly seen his senior tight end Traore rise to the occasion. From practices to workouts and the meeting in between, Traore has been at the top of his game.
All of the work that Traore has put in and the added help from the newcomers has a tight end group ready to get the Bulldogs closer to where Lebby wants them to be. All that is left is to put the ball down and see how far that work can take them. Traore will be right in the mix of it all.
“Ziko is very internally motivated. He’s done a great job – whether it’s through the spring or with Max, Sam and Skip coming in – of always pushing himself,” Cooper said of Traore. “I’ve really challenged him to be able to take something from other guys. They might know one little thing that could help his game. He’s done a great job of changing his body, he’s been a great leader for this team and I’m really excited about the year he’s going to have.”
Category: General Sports
