recruiting- 2 tidbits

Lloyd Allen has decommitted from MSU and committed to Houston. I assume he was dropped and that we feel good about Mackey.

Also Taveze Calhoun has committed to MSU. he is very good IMO.

Football- 2011 fun stats

I was bored and decided to check out next years roster(including the 2011 signing class) and here are some fun stats.

Average sized player(on scholarship only) for each position:
QB(4)- 6'2.5" 223
RB(5)- 5'11.5" 204
WR(12)-5'11.5" 192
TE(4)- 6'3" 232
OT(8)- 6'5" 295
OG(6)- 6'4.5" 293
C(2)- 6'2.5" 303
DT(8)- 6'3.5" 299
DE(8)- 6'4.5" 242
WLB(4)- 6'2" 231
SLB(3)- 6'0.5" 227
MLB(2)-6'1" 235
CB(8)- 5'11.5" 183
SS(5)- 6'0" 199
FS(4)- 6'0" 191

I'm sure there will be many position changes but this is what it looks like right now.

Basketball- What it will take

For us to make a run in the SECT there is a couple things that need to change.

• Sidney, you have to start playing like your 6-11 280ish. If he would use that body and BLOCK OUT the sky is the limit. He needs to stop trying to show off his shooting skills and get down low and get the easy basket. Sometimes it's like he doesn't even want to defend as well. Someone needs to put some fire in his ass and pump this kid up. If he puts his mind to it, he could be unstoppable.
• Bench needs to start scoring. Today we had no production from our bench, luckily Sid, Bost, Kodi and Ravern carried us. We need to start getting a good 15-20 points per game from Benock, Steele, Lewis, and Bryant. 
• Kodi, you are not a point guard!!! Sometimes Kodi dribbles too much and tries to drive to much, we really need to utilize him as a 4 who can shoot mid-long range jumpers as well. He has been doing a lot better though, he is almost there.
• We just need to continue to build our team chemistry and base everything off of Dee. I think we have an honest chance at winning the SECT. Today was a huge win, hopefully they well get hungry for more.

Recruiting- News, Rumors, and Visits

1. Jermaine Whitehead reports today that he will be announcing on signing day, we can all expect him to sign with Ole Miss.

2. There has been reports of P.J. Jones and Dee Arrington visiting Ole Miss this weekend, those rumors are untrue.

3. In 2012 news, there is some very encouraging developments regarding Quay Evans. I think he will be committed to MSU before next years football season.

4. Speaking of Quay, his friend and teammate, CB Taveze Calhoun is visiting MSU this weekend, and if offered, will commit.

5. C.J. Johnson looks to have a replacement. MLB Damien Wilson(6-2 220) of Amite County will be visiting this weekend. If he is offered, I suspect him to commit as well.

6. Though not confirmed, there are rumors that CB Javente Watson(5-11 175) of Bastrop, LA will be visiting MSU this weekend. He has already been offered by the staff, and if he is willing to commit I would bet we take him over Taveze Calhoun, but the numbers might fall right to get both of them.

7. DE Cullen Burnett(6-4 265) of Northwest Rankin will be visiting MSU this weekend. I'm really expecting him to be another one of those preferred walk-ons.

8. DE Devante Sigler has picked Auburn over MSU. Not a big loss as I expect as to sign Leon Mackey and a 50% chance with David Washington.

9. Speaking of Leon Mackey, he is set to announce on signing day between South Carolina, Tennessee and MSU. I give MSU a 70-75% chance of signing him.

10. WR Terrell Pinson(6-4 200) of Tupelo High will accept a preferred walk-on spot with MSU. He has a couple C-USA offers. This is a big get IMO.

11. Looks like Under Armour All-American Kevin McReynolds will commit to either MSU, KSU, Syracuse or UCLA on signing day, but he says he may not sign on signing day, just commit. Dan Mullen and Kansas State both had in-homes with him yesterday.

Recruiting- C.J. Johnson situation

C.J. is gone guys. But I believe his facebook reason is BS. First its coaches leaving then state fans sending him too many messages. Do you honestly think we were the only ones doing that? I definitely wasn't, that's creepy, but can guarentee you that state fans were not the only ones. This just seems very fishy considering his comments towards Ole Miss just 2 months ago.

Recruiting- New Committment

Derrick Milton(5-11 205) of Hargrave Military Acadamy has publicly committed to Mississippi State. He is very comparable to Vick Ballard in size, speed, and running style. I really like this pick up.

Derrick's Scout Profile
Derrick's Rivals Profile
Derrick's ESPN Profile

Recruiting- 2 new visitors this weekend

Brookehaven Acadamy QB Chandler Rogers(6-3 195) along with Morton CB Taveze Calhoun(6-1 180) have been invited to officially visit MSU this weekend.

I think Chandler will be offered a preferred walk-on spot but his situation is very similar to that of Dylan Favre. In his high school career he three for 8,800 passing yards and rushed for another 2,125 to go along with 96 passing td's and 35 rushing. His all time yardage is second behind, you guessed it, Dylan Favre. At this point I don't see him getting an offer because Dak Prescott is already on campus, but if we can get him to walk on that would be excellent. His only standing offer is from Cornell.

Roger's Scout Profile
Roger's Rivals Profile

Taveze Calhoun is a name that has really been heating up lately. He had a great performance in the MS/AL All-Star game and has great size for a cornerback on the next level. This might be a back up for Jermaine Whitehead, but the word is Taveze is expecting an offer very soon, if he hasn't already gotten it.

Calhoun's Scout Profile
Calhoun's Rivals Profile

To go along with these 2, at this point MSU is hosting 4 other recruits:

CB Bobby McCain(5-11 175)(Uncomitted)
CB Darius Slay(6-0 180)(Committed to MSU)
RB/LB Shaq Perry(6-2 210(Committed to MSU)
DE Preston Smith(6-5 215)(Committed to MSU)

Recruiting- What i expect on signing day....

There is so much speculation and nobody really know what will happen on signing day, nobody. But if tomorrow were signing day these are the 28 I expect us to sign:
1. Dee Arrington
2. Joe Morrow
3. P.J. Jones
4. Shaq Perry
5. Barron Dixon
6. Joey Trapp
7. John Harris
8. Justin Malone
9. Kendrick Market
10. Preston Smith
11. Benardrick McKinney
12. Darius Slay
13. Justin Cox
14. Dak Prescott
15. Daniel Knox
16. Josh Robinson
17. James Maiden
18. Devin Fosselman
19. Rufus Warren
20. Zachary Jackson
21. Nick Redmond
22. Kevin McReynolds
23. Xzavier Ward
24. David Washington
25. Derrick Milton
26. Leon Mackey
27. Taveze Calhoun
28. Aaron Morris, yes Aaron Morris

I think Aaron is way to quiet for there not to be something up, as of right now, I think C.J. and Whitehead will, sadly, sign with Ole Miss, But I'm not giving up hope. The next week and a half should be interesting A LOT will happen.

P.J. Jones commits to State...

I will link commitment stories and his profiles later

Recruiting- OT Xzavier Ward now visiting

Offensive Tackle Xzavier Ward(6-7 260) out of Moultrie, GA will be visiting Mississippi State this weekend. He has offers from everywhere and I can't say I have a good feeling about him signing with state, but if he is visiting, we have a chance. He definitely has the frame to be a SEC lineman and is rated as a high 3* from both recruiting services and a 4* from ESPN. A lot of unheard of names are coming out as we get closer to signing day, and I expect more to pop up.

Xzavier's Scout Profile
Xzavier's Rivals Profile
Xzavier's ESPN Profile

Football- A look at 2011- Quarterbacks

     In 2011, MSU will have 4 solid quarterbacks. I can't rekmember a time when we have had so much depth at the quarterback position. We will be returning last years starter, Chris Relf, 2 MS Gatorade Players of the Year, Tyler Russell and Dylan Favre, and bring in Dak Prescott, who had offers from LSU and TCU(Dak enrolled in January). Let's take a look at every player individually.
     Chris Relf is without a doubt the best returning quarterback in the SEC West in 2011. He will be a Senior with 2 years of experience under his belt. His progression during those two years has been phenominal. It's been a while since we have had a quarterback who had more touchdowns than interceptions in a season. Chris threw for 13 TD's and only 6 interceptions. He also hada 59% completion percentage and 1789 passing yards. He is 6-4 245 and certainly a load to bring down. To go along with his 1789 passing yards he had 546 rushing yards and 5 rushing TD's. He is a key to MSU's running success, also, his decision making during the zone read is awesome. I believe, that Chris will get drafted in 2012, as a quarterback. Flame away.
     Popular back up, Tyler Russel, had a decent season, he had 5 TD's and 6 interceptions to go along with a 58% completion percentage and 635 passing yards. He definitely looks the part of the quarterback, standing in at 6-5 230. To me it seems as if he doesn't put enough zip on his passes and sometimes leaves to much air under his passes. He showed that he has the ability to run a couple times during the season, but he aint a blazer. He will only be a redshirt sophomore next year so he definitely has time to continue proving, by his redshirt junior year I think he will be a legit SEC quarterback.
     Even more popular back up, Dylan Favre, redshirted last year, but there were reports that he was making every pass with the scout team. He had phenomenal numbers out of high school, I think he actually broke every passing record in Mississippi. He was also the Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year, a Parade All-American, and he played in the O-D All-American game. Some question his release, as he drops down a little bit, but the biggest reason for his doubters is his height. I'd say giving him 5-11 is generous. I'm not saying he can't be a good quarterback though, a lot of Relf's passes aren't even in the pocket anyways, so the pass can't get blocked by the line. I think eventually, he will be a fine quarterback for us, but for now, just a solid back up.
     Dak Prescott(6-3 225) enrolled in January and will be working out with the team this Spring. He is almost a Chris Relf clone out of high school, but a much more polished passer. He had crazy numbers, passing and rushing, his senior year at a decent level of play in Louisiana. I really like his future at MSU. I believe he will redshirt and learn the system his first year, then back up Russell, but around his Junior year I see him pushing for a starting job. He is the prototypical quarterback for Mullen's system, big, fast and a good passer. I am really excited about this young man and stoked he is already on campus.
     I am more than happy with our quarterback crew for 2011, we have great depth and athleticism. I see the quarterback position as one of the high points on our team next year, wow, never thought I'd say that.

Recruiting- Shaquille Perry commits to MSU

RB/OLB Shaquille Perry has committed to Mississippi State. He is rated a 2 star by scout and a 3 star by rivals. He will most likely be a sign and place and have to go JUCO and sign again with state. He is supposed to visit during the weekend of 1/28.
Perry's Scout Profile
Perry's Rivals Profile

Recruiting- Shaquille Perry added to this weekends visit list

Looks like Shaquille Perry(6-2 210) has been added to this weekend's visit list. He played running back for Walnut Attendance Center in Walnut, MS where he had outstanding numbers 2,188 rushing yards and 37 TD's. He is projected to play OLB on the next level. He has offers from Memphis, South Alabama, and Southern Miss. I hope this isn't the coaches losing confidence in us signing C.J. Johnson.

Recruiting- A look at this weekend's visitors

Kevin McReynolds- DT, 6-3 280, Washington D.C.
3* Scout; 4* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Kansas State, Maryland, Syracuse and UCLA
Status- Uncommitted
I think we have a pretty decent shot at him considering we are his last visit and he has already visited Syracuse and UCLA. He has a huge upside and would be a big pick up for Mullen, in the end I think he will sign with MSU.

Joe Morrow- WR, 6-4 195, 4.60, Ocean Springs, MS
4* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Ole Miss
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
Joe took a visit to last Arkansas last weekend but I heard it was just for the visit. He is good friends with Devin Fosselman and I am sure they will be working hard on getting the few uncommitted prospets coming in this weekend committed. He is a big receiver, he will play the X on the next level and with his size I could see him getting some playing time next year.

James Maiden- DT/OT, 6-4 265, Woodville, MS
3* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, LSU and USC
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
James is an absolute beast in the trenches. I think he will come in as an offensive tackle and redshirt his first year and gain a lot of weight. Once Balis gets him up to 290-300 I think he will be able to contribute.

Daniel Knox- TE/OT, 6-5 250, Collinsville, MS
3* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Arkansas State, Southern Miss and UAB
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
Daniel is somewhat of a mystery. He has a great frame and after a redshirt year with Balis I expect him to gain a lot of weight and be listed as an offensive tackle.

Barron Dixon- DE, 6-4 250, 4.9, Alpharetta, GA
3* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Arkansas, Maryland, MTSU and Vanderbilt
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
Barron committed to Mississippi State on January 13th. It is a huge pick up in my opinion because he is your typical DE. Don't let his listed 4.9 40 fool you, he is quick off the ball. I don't think he will redshirt because we are low on DE's. He has an honest chance at getting some playing time as a true freshman.

Rufus Warren- TE, 6-5 238, Indianola, MS
3* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State and Delta State
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
Rufus is a big possession Tight End, I think he will gain a little weight but not much. I expect him to redshirt his freshman year and then step in with a chance for playing time as a few Tight End's will be graduating.

Justin Cox- CB, 6-1 175, 4.4, West Point, MS
3* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Arkansas State, Louisiana Tech, Memphis and Alcorn State
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
Justin will surprise a few people. He is a tall, rangy cornerback who played quarterback in high school. He is one of the top 3 fastest seniors in Mississippi this year. He will be very comparable to Johnthan Banks.

Devin Fosselman- WR, 5-9 192, 4.45, Woodville, MS
3* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Memphis, Southern Miss, Southern and Alcorn State
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
Devin will most likely be play the H or the Z. He is undersized but his hands and speed make up for it. He will be a guy that will get you the first down. He loves Mississippi State and he will come in and work hard from day one.

Derrick Milton- RB, 5-11 205, 4.5, Hargrave Military Acadamy
3* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State, Tennessee, Memphis and Ole Miss
Status- Uncommitted
Derrick is very comparable to Vick Ballard, he doesn't have blazing speed, but he will beat you. He is also a very physical back. I think there is about a 70% chance that he will commit to Mississippi State this weekend.

Benardrick McKinney- OLB, 6-4 200, Tunica, MS
2* Scout; 3* Rivals
Offers- Mississippi State
Status- Committed to Mississippi State
Benardrick is a long, rangy OLB who is comparable to K.J. Wright. He will definitely need a redshirt year to get bigger and stronger. Give him a couple years backing people up and learning the system and I think he will be a fine backer.

I would expect one commit this weekend and that is from Milton. I think we will get McReynolds but that will be signing day decision.

Recruiting- Do stars matter?

     Now a days everyone is obsessed with stars. If he is a 2 star, he has no chance. Yes, I will agree that if you had a team of all 5stars you will be good, but coaching still matters. Here are some examples.  
     I did some research and this is what i found(these stars are per scout.com)

• In the last 4 years Virginia Tech has had 16 4 and 5 star recruits, Boise State has had 3, Boise beat Virginia Tech in 2010
• In the last 4 years Wisconsin has had 22 4 and 5 star recruits, TCU has had 3, TCU beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl
• In the last 4 years Ole Miss has had 22 4 and 5 star recruits, Jacksonville State, well, who knows.
• Now this is the really shocking one, In the last 4 years Texas has had 64 4 and 5 star recruits, Iowa State has had ONE. Iowa State beat Texas in 2010.

Mississippi State has had 19 4 and 5 star recruits in the last 4 years.

• 3 are redshirts and have never stepped on the field( Matthew Wells, Damien Robinson, and Kaleb Eulls)
• 1 was kicked off(Josh Riddell)
• 1 never qualified(Jazzmen Guy)
• That leaves 15 in the last 4 years, 10 of which will be on the 2011 roster.

Florida has had 64 4 and 5 stars in the last 4 years. Mississippi state beat Florida AT Florida in 2010.

You be the judge, do stars matter?

Recruiting- What a head ache.

     Dan Mullen and Staff our working hard down the stretch to sign a top 25 class. This weekend was a huge recruiting weekend with top targets such as, C.J. Johnson, Jermaine Whitehead, Aaron Morris, Leon Mackey and others. Many were expecting atleast one commitment, but all plan on taking other visits and deciding on signing day. Is this a reason to cry? Maybe.
     Just a Month ago MSU had a top 20 class and had commitments such as, C.J. Johnson, Jermaine Whitehead, and Nick Brassell, also Tobias Singleton was a supposed "secret commit". A month later, C.J. is decommitted, Jermaine is rumored it switch to Ole Miss, Nick is decommitted, and Tobias is committed to Ole Miss. Why does something like this happen, especially after MSU went (9-4) with a Gator Bowl and Egg Bowl victory? Well there are a couple explanations. Nutt is outrecruiting Mullen, unlikely, and a more popular one, Ole Miss is cheating. Are they? Well I think they have had 2-3 secondary violations in the last 48 hours, but nothing big. It just makes sense that some rich lawyer is paying big name recruits under the table, but you know what the say about assuming. Personally, I think something fishy is going on, but nothing will come of it. Is it time to give up at MC and USP? No, there are the Derek Pegues in the world, but not many of them.
     Why not go recruit harder into Georgia and Florida? We will see what happens with this 2012 class. If there is no fishy activity going on, it could be a huge recruiting year for MSU. Only time will tell.

Basketball- Can we win the west?

     MSU(10-7, 2-1 SEC) came into the season with high hopes. Returning Dee Bost(who had to serve a lengthy suspension, but would be back for SEC play) Ravern Johnson, Kodi Augustus, and other contributers wasn't the biggest story. Renardo Sidney, at one point arguably the biggest recruit in the USA, would debut after serving his 9 game suspension. The plan was to make it through the non conference schedule without too many losses and dominate the SEC with the talented starting line up of Kodi, Ravern, Dee, Renardo, and 3-point shooting Riley Benock.
     But there were major setbacks, including the fight between Renardo and Elgin Bailey that resulted in Elgin transferring and Renardo serving yet another suspension(his third). The last month has been tough for MSU basketball fans indeed, many losses, 2 transfers, a fight, suspensions, and more, but the worst seems to be behind us. MSU is riding a 2 game winning streak including a win over that school up north. On January 22nd, MSU will match up against #24 Georgia(13-3, 2-1 SEC) for a sure test. If they can win the will be 3-1 and at the top of the SEC West standings. After all MSU has been through this year, they have a legit shot at winning the west and having a shot at winning the SEC tourney. Without an automatic bid into the NCAAT can we still get in? It will be tough, but only time will tell. But a good goal for now will be to win the west, and honestly, it's ours for the taking.