Mississippi State 2012 Recruiting

Mississippi State Bulldogs 2012 ... Head Coach: Dan Mullen

Mississippi State
Bulldogs

2011 Record: 6-6  

Sep. 1 at Memphis W 59-14
Sep. 10 at Auburn L 41-34
Sep. 15 LSU L 19-6
Sep. 24 La Tech W 26-20 OT
Oct. 1 at Georgia L 24-10
Oct. 8 at UAB W 21-3
Oct. 15 South Carolina L 14-12
Oct. 22 OPEN DATE
Oct. 29 at Kentucky W 28-16
Nov. 5 UT Martin
Nov. 12 Alabama L 24-7
Nov. 19 at Arkansas L 44-17
Nov. 26 Ole Miss W 31-3

2010 CFN Prediction: 6-6
2010 Record: 9-4

Sept. 4 Memphis W 49-7
Sept. 9 Auburn L 17-14
Sept. 18 at LSU L 29-7
Sept. 25 Georgia W 24-12
Oct. 2 Alcorn State W 49-16
Oct. 9 at Houston W 47-24
Oct. 16 at Florida W 10-7
Oct. 23 UAB W 29-24
Oct. 30 Kentucky W 24-17
Nov. 6 OPEN DATE
Nov. 13 at Alabama L 30-10
Nov. 20 Arkansas L 38-31 2OT
Nov. 27 at Ole Miss W 31-23
Gator Bowl
Jan. 1 Michigan W 52-14
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The Entire 2012 Recruiting Class

Top 5 Mississippi State Recruits To Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. DE Denico Autry
6-5, 250, Scout.com five-star JUCO transfer. At this stage of his career Autry is a pass rushing specialist. He has a quick first step and a strong spin move that gets him into the backfield quickly. With his long lean frame, he's not as strong against the run as he is rushing the passer, but he has the frame to keep getting stronger and heavier without costing himself his quickness. He may actually get quicker as he gets stronger to improve his core strength

2. DT Quay Evans
6-5, 250, Scout.com 3rd ranked, five-star defensive tackle. Evans is lightning fast off the ball. He's too quick to pull a guard away from him, because he'll break up the play in the backfield. Outstanding body lean and change of direction. He is constantly in the backfield and ball carriers have a hard time sidestepping him because of his abiltiy to drop his shoulders and turn. He plays with outstanding strength and leverage. Does a good job of keeping blockers off of his legs.

3. DT Nick James
6-5, 335, Scout.com 12th ranked, four-star defensive tackle. A big DT for his Long Beach team, James gets a tremendous burst off the ball. He has good flexibility though he tends to pop up out of his stance too often. Will need to learn to keep his pads down and blockers off of his chest and legs. He has a good motor and will chase plays to the sideline. His quick first step makes it hard for one blocker to handle him. More lower body strength should improve his change of direction.

4. CB Will Redmond
6-0, 176, Scout.com 19th ranked, four-star cornerback. Redmond is an athlete that could play corner or possibly receiver on the next level. His most upside is at corner because of his long arms, his ball skills, and the way he anticipates back in the secondary. He still needs to improve his play closer to the line of scrimmage, add weight to his frame, and react a little quicker when the ball is in the air. He has the skill-set to be a very good corner in college.

5. OT Charles Siddoway
6-6, 300, Scout.com three-star JUCO transfer. Signed with Cal out of Sheldon (Or.) High School. Will have two years to play two following the 2011 football season.

The 2012 Class Was Heavy On... Defensive linemen. You don’t have a chance in the SEC without a strong defensive front, and MSU is getting one. The Bulldogs lose two key playmakers up front, including tackle Fletcher Cox, and an upgrade is needed for 2013 and beyond. Head coach Dan Mullen is getting a slew of interesting pass rushers and a few terrific tackles to make the line a strength.

Team Concerns For 2012: Backfield production. Any time Tyler Russell is ready to grow into the star he was supposed to be as a star 2009 recruit would be a plus, while losing RB Vick Ballard takes away a heart-and-soul type for the offense. Safety is a huge concern with Charles Mitchell and Wade Bonner gone, but the 2010 class was heavy on defensive backs and could be a major plus in time.

Looking Ahead To The 2012 Season: There are too many big replacements to hope to get back to the 2010 production, but the talent is there to improve on a disappointing 2011. The defense loses top tackle Fletcher Cox off the line, and both safeties have to be replaced, but six starters are back and the production shouldn’t drop off too much. Offensively, the passing game has to be better and that means QB Tyler Russell has to live up to his prep hype. All the top receivers are seniors, and they’ll have to take over the offense with RB Vick Ballard and three offensive linemen done.

2011 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 41. That Class Was Heavy On ... Defensive backs. It wasn’t a great overall class considering the killers the rest of the league kept up with, but there are some nice gets like WR Joe Morrow and running backs Josh Robinson and Derek Milton. The secondary got the most help with 6-2, 200-pound Dee Arrington a potential All-SEC safety and Zachary Johnson a fast, promising hitter. JUCO transfer corner Darius Slay should see time right away, while Justin Cox is a big, fast defender who can play anywhere in the secondary.

2010 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 40. That Class Was Heavy On ... Running back. Dan Mullen got the receivers for his offense last year, and this year he worked on the ground game with 6-8, 330-pound Damien Robinson one of the nation's top offensive tackle recruits to go along with four running backs to try to replace Anthony Davis. Matthew Wells is the best of the lot, but JUCO transfer Vick Ballard might make the most immediate impact with a physical style and good quickness. Nick Griffin and Jay Hughes could've been toting the rock at several other big name schools. Defensively, 6-7, 370-pound James Carmon and 6-4, 330-pound Jeffrey Howie are massive JUCO transfers brought in to clog things up right away, while Kaleb Eulls, an end, is one of the best players in the class.

2009 CFN Recruiting Ranking: 22. That Class Was Heavy On ... receivers. What do you get a team that’s been among the worst in America in passing over the last few years? Targets. Tyler Russell was a must-get quarterback for new head coach Dan Mullen to develop over the next year or two, and he needs guys to throw to. Seven receiver prospects were brought in with JUCO transfers Maurice Langston and Leon Berry looking to add help right away. Chad Bumphis is the best prospect of the lot.

Nov. 26 at Mississippi State 31 … Ole Miss 3
CFN Analysis: COMING

(AP) STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Vick Ballard rushed for 144 yards and scored two touchdowns, LaDarius Perkins added two more touchdowns and Mississippi State easily beat Mississippi 31-3 on Saturday night in the Egg Bowl.

Mississippi State (6-6, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) now has a three-game winning streak in the Egg Bowl for the first time since 1942 and also earned bowl eligibility for the second straight season.

Ole Miss (2-10, 0-8) finished a miserable season that included 10 losses for the first time in program history and ends coach Houston Nutt's four-year tenure. Nutt's resignation was announced on Nov. 7, but he remained to coach the last three games, which the Rebels lost by a combined score of 110-13.

Nutt ends with a 24-26 overall record at Ole Miss, including a 10-22 mark in conference games. The Rebels have lost 14 straight SEC games.

Third-year Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has injected new life into the rivalry since his arrival in Starkville, with a smack-talking persona that's been backed up with dominant victories. The Bulldogs unveiled new uniforms for Saturday's game, with gold numbers, gold shoes and the phrase `Hail State' replacing each player's last name on the back of the jersey.

From the very first snap, it was evident Mississippi State was the better and more motivated team. Relf rushed for 12 yards on the first play and then 17 more on the second as the Bulldogs methodically moved downfield. The 11-play, 68-yard drive ended on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Relf to Ballard that gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 5:35 remaining in the first quarter.

Mississippi State stretched its lead to 21-0 by halftime on a 36-yard run by Perkins and then a 20-yard pass from Relf to Perkins. To seal any doubt, Ballard rushed for a 25-yard touchdown early in the third quarter to push the lead to 28-0.

Relf didn't have to throw much, but was effective when he did, completing 8 of 13 passes for 70 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Ole Miss never could get moving on offense. Its only sustained drive lasted 12 plays and 47 yards before Bryson Rose kicked a 28-yard field goal in the third quarter. Enrique Davis rushed for 32 yards on 12 carries while Donte Moncrief caught four passes for 20 yards.

The game had a fitting ending, with Ole Miss quarterback Barry Brunetti leveled at the 3-yard line by the Mississippi State defense as he was trying to score a touchdown. The Davis Wade Stadium crowd roared its approval as the Bulldogs stormed the field and Mullen raised the Egg Bowl trophy above his head.

Brunetti completed 12 of 22 passes for 112 yards.

The Rebels didn't exactly rally around their outgoing coach, losing by lopsided margins to Louisiana Tech, LSU and Mississippi State since it was announced Nutt would not return.

Nutt was paid about $2.7 million this season to oversee the collapse. He's also owed a $6 million buyout.

The search for the Rebels' fifth coach in 17 seasons now begins in earnest. Whoever it is will have plenty of work ahead considering Ole Miss is 1-15 in the SEC -- including the 14-game conference losing streak -- over the past two seasons and resides in arguably the hardest division in college football.

Nov. 19 at Arkansas 44 … Mississippi State 17
CFN Analysis: Arkansas might be playing at the highest of levels at the moment, but Mississippi State also was awful. The offense can’t find any footing with too much sputtering and coughing in SEC play all year; the 34 points in the conference opener against Auburn seems like ten years ago. … Dylan Favre was better than Tyler Russell, but not by much. Favre ran for a score and threw for 72 yards and a touchdown, but he didn’t produce effectively until the game was well out of reach. … One of the nation’s most disappointing teams, MSU needs to beat Ole Miss to save face. This was a bad year, but missing out on a bowl thanks to a loss to the archrival would be a next-level disaster. So far, the best win is over Louisiana Tech, and the second best win was at Kentucky. That’s not good.
 
Nov. 12 Alabama 24 … at Mississippi State 7
CFN Analysis: The Bulldogs had to deal with an angry Tide team coming off the emotional loss. The Tide defense was the Tide defense, and MSU didn’t have any answers. The O line was destroyed from the start and finished with just 12 net yards. Vick Ballard ran nine times for 21 yards. … Chris Relf was never a factor, missing both his pass attempts and finishing with -1 yard rushing. Tyler Russell was allowed to make this game his, but he couldn’t move the chains and was under pressure all game long. … Cameron Lawrence made 12 tackles and Josh Boyd made 11, but too many plays were made down the field. … The offense has to be ready to get going again on the ground to keep the Arkansas offense off the field. Russell has to get the time to work to make that happen. 

Nov. 5 at Mississippi State 55 … UT Martin 17
CFN Analysis: The final score looks nice, but the defense gave up 454 yards and there were a few holes. However, the offense got up so early with a 28-0 lead that the team could afford to take its foot off the gas a bit. Chris Relf hit on 5-of-6 passes for 61 yards and two scores, while Tyler Russell struggled a bit completing just half his passes for 183 yards, but he hit Chad Bumphis for a 78-yard score with a pick, while Vick Ballard carried the running game early with 102 yards and two scores including a 54-yard dash. The eight penalties were a bit too many and the defense allowed 269 rushing yards, but this was a blowout breather game for a Bulldog team that needed to blow up. Can the Bulldogs take advantage of a down Alabama? The season can quickly turn around and become special with a win, or it could sink into the abyss with a loss and followed up with a loss at Arkansas.

Oct. 29 Mississippi State 28 … at Kentucky 16
CFN Analysis: It wasn’t exactly a thing of beauty, but the quarterback rotation worked. Tyler Russell threw for 172 yards and spread the ball around well, while Chris Relf was just as effective even with an interception. The Bulldogs were in control from the start, but the defense allowed way too many short passes and didn’t get comfortable until the final gun. Ball control was a problem, mainly because the defense couldn’t get off the field, but there weren’t any major mistakes and there wasn’t any real threat of losing. There’s one more nice and easy layup with UT-Martin up next before dealing with Alabama and Arkansas, and it would a positive if the offense could blowup just once. MSU hasn’t scored more than 28 points since the second week of the season; the 41-34 loss to Auburn.  

Oct. 15 South Carolina 14 … at Mississippi State 12
CFN Analysis: Mississippi State needs to reestablish its identity. The problem is that Chris Relf is just a runner and Tyler Russell, despite his eight runs for 18 yards, is just a passer, and MSU decided to go the passing route and Russell didn’t come through under the pressure from the South Carolina defensive front completing just 11-of-29 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown with two picks. If Relf isn’t in, Vick Ballard needs to get loose, and he wasn’t able to with everyone keying on him. Fortunately, Kentucky and Tennessee-Martin are up next to get the offense on track before Alabama, but at 3-4 and with the Tide and Arkansas still up, the disappointing season will pick up again in a few weeks unless the offense can find something that consistently works.
 
Oct. 8 Mississippi State 21 … at UAB 3
CFN Analysis: Sluggish. That’s what Mississippi State has been after a disappointing star, and being down 3-0 at the end of the first half to a team as bad as UAB is a telling sign; it’s just not happening for the offense. Chris Relf couldn’t get the offense moving well enough, and the running game that’s supposed to be able to pound on anyone in the SEC couldn’t get rolling on one of the worst teams in Conference USA. Tyler Russell was terrific in relief completing 11-of-13 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns, while Vick Ballard did his part with 101 yards on 19 carries. Call this the letdown game after losing to Georgia Tech and with South Carolina up next, but the team needs to start showing off a little bit of offensive firepower very, very soon or it’ll be a tough second half of the year.  

Oct. 1 at Georgia 24 … Mississippi State 10
CFN Analysis: Now Dan Mullen has to do some serious coaching to keep the season from slipping away. MSU is 0-3 in the SEC with South Carolina coming up after the layup against UAB, and the running game isn’t working, there’s no passing game to count on, and the run defense has been shockingly soft. The Bulldogs lived off of turnover margin so far, but the three giveaways against the Dawgs offset the three takeaways and the team couldn’t take advantage. MSU was dominated and didn’t have any answers for the Georgia defensive front, and now that any hope of a great season is gone, it’s time to try to have a good season. It’ll start with being more effective on the ground and getting Chris Relf more room to move. 1.6 yards per carry isn’t going to get it done for this team in the SEC. 

Sept. 24 at Mississippi State 26 … Louisiana Tech 20 OT
CFN Analysis: Okay, MSU, let’s just assume that this was a hangover effect after losing to Auburn and LSU. It took way too much to put away a mediocre Louisiana Tech team, and now it’s time to worry. The offensive line didn’t take control, the running game was mediocre, and Chris Relf was off on his midrange passes. The defense got a huge game from Brandon Wilson, who made 18 tackles, and the Nickoe Whitley interception in overtime allowed the team to exhale, but it was too tough a fight for a team that was supposed to challenge for big things in the SEC West. As bad as this looked, everything will be just fine if the Bulldogs can win at Georgia next week. 

Sept. 16 LSU 19 … Mississippi State 6
CFN Analysis: Mississippi State now has a problem on its hands. Chris Relf was fine, completing 11-of-17 passes for 96 yards, but he wasn’t able to get going on the ground and he wasn’t moving an offense that finished with 190 yards. Even so, LSU wasn’t running away with the game and it was still there for the taking, and Relf was benched for Tyler Russell. The goal was to try to get the passing game going a little more effectively, but it didn’t work. Yes, Relf held on to the ball a bit too much, and yes, he didn’t make quick enough decisions, but LSU had a lot to do with that. With Louisiana Tech up next before going to Georgia, MSU has to establish whether or not this is Relf’s team or not, but at 0-2 in the SEC, there can’t be any panic. 

Sept. 10 at Auburn 41 ... Mississippi State 34
CFN Analysis: This is devastating for Mississippi State. This was supposed to be the announcement that the program was ready to play with the big boys, and now, with LSU coming to down in five days, the Bulldogs have to gear it back up in a hurry or be 0-2 and irrelevant in the SEC title chase. MSU outplayed the Tigers in so many ways, with Vick Ballard running for 135 yards and Chris Relf completing 20-of-33 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown and running 27 times for 106 yards, but ten penalties for 75 yards and too many defensive lapses were bigger than all the good things the team did. If MSU can beat LSU, then everything changes, but this was a winnable game that slipped away.  

Sept. 1 Mississippi State 59 … at Memphis 14
CFN Analysis: The Mississippi State offense was humming on all cylinders, but it also helped that the Memphis defense was nowhere in sight. Everything worked for the Bulldogs, and while Vick Ballard will get the game ball after running ten times for 166 yards and three touchdowns, the defense did its part stoning the Tiger offense time and again. Tyler Russell came in with the game well out of reach and was terrific, while Chris Relf was good, but could’ve been better on third downs. With a long offseason after the blowout over Michigan, this was exactly the type of opening MSU wanted before diving into SEC play against Auburn and LSU over the next 14 days. If the offensive line can blast open holes like it did this week, and if the offense can explode like it did, even with the backups in, the team might be the real deal.  

The 2011 Class Is Heavy On … Defensive backs. It wasn’t a great overall class considering the killers the rest of the league kept up with, but there are some nice gets like WR Joe Morrow and running backs Josh Robinson and Derek Milton. The secondary got the most help with 6-2, 200-pound Dee Arrington a potential All-SEC safety and Zachary Johnson a fast, promising hitter. JUCO transfer corner Darius Slay should see time right away, while Justin Cox is a big, fast defender who can play anywhere in the secondary.

Five Mississippi State Recruits You Should Care About
Player writeups by Scout.com

1. S Darion Arrington
6-2, 200, Scout.com’s 9th ranked safety. Arrington is a natural at the safety position. He is very physical and very athletic. Unlike a lot of players with his size, he is very fluid in his movements. He is a very humble player who does his talking on the field. He rarely sits out a snap and he has the respect of his teammates. Darion is a quiet leader who will play any position he is asked to play in order to help his team. He is a tremendous hitter and he makes the smart play.

2. WR Joe Morrow
6-4, 195, Scout.com’s 30th ranked receiver. Morrow is a big receiver who can stretch the field. He has the right combination of size and speed to make the tough catch across the middle or outside the numbers. He needs to continue to get stronger and work on his initial burst, but there is an awful lot to like about Joe. Due to the offense he plays in on the high school level, he does not have the stats that match his ability. He is just scratching the surface of his potential.

3. DE Lloyd Allen
6-4, 240, three-star JUCO transfer. A high motor player with good size and strength, Allen's best attribute is his tenacity. An unrefined pass rusher, Allen typically tries to beat his man to the outside, but he makes a lot of plays circling back to the quarterback after he's stepped up in the pocket. Needs to do a better job of getting off of blocks to be more valuable in run support and developing his pass rush repertoire.

4. CB Darius Slay
6-0, 190, three-star JUCO transfer. Named Pre-Season All-American. Named 1st Team All MACJC Recorded 27 tackles on defense and returned 10 punts for an 11 yard average. 2009 Named to the First team All-State North team by the MACJC for his play as a corner at Itawamba Community College. Also named to the 2nd All-State North team as a kick returner. Slay totaled 41 tackles, five pass break-ups and three interceptions during his freshman year at ICC.

5. OT James Maiden
6-4, 286, Scout.com’s 35th ranked offensive tackle. Maiden could end up on either side of the ball on the next level. He is a very passionate and heady player who looks to make those around him better. He is having success in high school by being the superior athlete rather than being the best football player he can be. As he learns more about his position and gets more specialized coaching in college he has the chance chance to be very special. He has a great feet and is very good with his hands.

2011 Entire Recruiting Class

Dee Arrington DB 6-2 210 Wiggins, MS (Stone County HS)
Taveze Calhoun ATH 6-1 180 Morton, MS (Morton HS)
Justin Cox DB 6-1 175 West Point, MS (West Point HS)
Devin Fosselman WR 5-10 190 Woodville, MS (Wilkinson County HS)
John Harris DL 6-6 230 Boynton Beach, FL (Boynton Beach Community HS)
Zachary Jackson DB 6-1 200 Heidelberg, MS (Heidelberg HS)
P.J. Jones DL 6-3 260 Tupelo, MS (Tupelo HS)
Daniel Knox TE/OL 6-5 250 Collinsville, MS (West Lauderdale Attend. Ctr.)
James Maiden OL 6-4 270 Woodville, MS (Wilkinson County HS)
Justin Malone OL 6-6 300 Madison, MS (Madison-Ridgeland Academy)
Kendrick Market WR 5-10 180 Batesville, MS (South Panola HS)
Benardrick McKinney LB 6-4 205 Tunica, MS (Rosa Fort HS)
Derek Milton RB 5-11 200 Pineville, LA (Hargrave Military Academy)
Joe Morrow WR 6-5 200 Ocean Springs, MS (Ocean Springs HS)
Shaquille Perry RB 6-2 210 Walnut, MS (Walnut Attend. Ctr.)
Dak Prescott QB 6-3 225 Haughton, LA (Haughton HS)
Nick Redmond OL 6-5 305 Gulfport, MS (Harrison Central HS)
Josh Robinson RB 5-9 200 Franklinton, LA (Franklinton HS)
Darius Slay DB 6-1 190 Brunswick, GA (Itawamba [Miss.] CC)
Preston Smith DL 6-6 225 Stone Mountain, GA (Stephenson HS)
Joey Trapp OL 6-5 285 Rolling Hills, CA (L.A. Harbor CC)
Rufus Warren TE 6-5 235 Indianola, MS (Gentry HS)