STARKVILLE — Former Cathedral standout Andrew Ellard had had to deal with a lot of changes the past few months, but says he is looking forward to the challenge.

Ellard, who played in all 12 games last year on special teams for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, enters his senior season hoping to break into the wide receiver rotation on offense with a new coaching staff and new spread offense.

“There have been some big changes for me,” Ellard said. “I was in the west coast offense for four years, but the new offense is pretty simple to learn. I’ve pretty much learned it already. The coaches gave us DVDs and made it easier for us to pick up on it quickly.”

New Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen’s spread offense requires lots of receivers, and currently the Bulldogs only have two on the roster with any game experience at the position.

Ellard hopes that he will be able to impress the coaches enough with his receiver skills to be able to make his first career appearance on offense.

“I’ve definitely got a chance, no doubt,” Ellard said. “We’ve got a lot of good freshmen receivers coming in, and I think I can help experience-wise teach the young guys. I’m ready to show what I’ve got.”

Ellard missed most of spring practice after tearing his ACL, and has spent the summer rehabilitating the injury.

“Coach Mullen talked me through (the injury),” Ellard said. “I’ve been rehabbing the injury all summer. Two-a-days is my chance to impress the coaches.”

But even if Ellard doesn’t get a chance to play on the offensive side of the ball this season, he is happy to be playing a key role on special teams.

“Coach Mullen has put a big emphasis on special teams,” Ellard said. “Special teams is all about hard work. I’m real proud to be on special teams and look forward to making a big difference.”

Ellard, the son of Mike and Sandra Ellard, is majoring in clinical exercise physiology and has spent much of his time this summer interning at several different hospitals.

He said his experience at Mississippi State has been great for him both on and off the football field.

“I couldn’t be more happy with where I’m at,” Ellard said. “I’ve grown so much as not just a player, but as a person. The things I’ve learned here, both on and off the field, will help me as I go further in life.”