Saulsberry interns with Starkville Police

Mississippi State senior center Quentin Saulsberry has been wearing a different uniform these days.

Bulldog fans shouldn't be alarmed however.

Saulsberry has spent his summer interning with the Starkville Police Department and learning the ropes of local law enforcement.

"It's interesting I can tell you that," Saulsberry said. "It's something new every day. You'll go in and serve warrants and you will see the communities and the elements that some people live in. You feel blessed because you really don't know it until you see the other side."

The 6-foot-2, 300-pounder began his internship in June and will conclude his work at the end of this month just in time for fall camp to begin. Saulsberry is majoring in Sociology and is scheduled to graduate in December.

He sees law enforcement as a possible avenue if his pro football career does not pan out.

"I was thinking about life after football because football isn't forever," Saulsberry said. "I had to pick some kind of profession and I picked something else that I loved.

"If football for some reason doesn't workout hopefully I can go to the federal bureau. If I don't get in there I'll go with the state troopers. I want to go with something in the government that goes with law enforcement."

Saulsberry is one of the most recognizable characters on the Bulldogs roster as a three-year starter on the offensive line. Even wearing a Starkville Police uniform does not prevent him from being singled out.

"Actually a lot of people do recognize me," Saulsberry said. "The other day we were doing a search warrant for a guy in the community and everybody came outside and was saying 'hey Saulsberry'. I can't do my internship without people stopping and talking to me."

Saulsberry will likely learn a lot about law enforcement this summer but the most important thing he may take away from this internship could be life lessons to live by.

"Coach (Matt) Balis and Coach (Dan) Mullen are always talking about the choices we make," Saulsberry said. "Now I see people who made those bad decisions. Nine times out of every 10 people we see are repeat offenders. Their names are always on the board, always in the books and always at the station. They play like they are the victims but at the same time they made the bad decisions and have to live with them."