| 1996 | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 1998 | Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct |
10/30/98 - The rumors are flying that Miss State will get another commitment from another great juco defensive back. According to my sources, Eugene Liger (6-0, 205, 4.5) who plays for Miss Delta CC, may be committing to MSU very soon. Liger is considering Ole Miss along with Miss State, according to my sources.
10/30/98 - BTW, Tuberville and his assistants weren't the only coaches watching Newton HS QB Allen Tillman play last Friday night. According to the Meridian Star, Miss State's Joe Lee Dunn was also at the game.
10/29/98 - Through 6 games (I hope to have a more current update in a few days), MSU commitment Dorsett Davis has a total of 38 tackles (27 solo, 11 assists). He has also recovered 1 fumble and 2 sacks. Teammate Toby Golliday (another player MSU is recruiting) has 32 tackles (24 solos, 8 assists) as well as 1 fumble caused and 2.5 sacks. Ole Miss and Arkansas are also recruiting both of these players.
10/29/98 - Did you guys know that Ole Miss head football coach Tommy Tuberville and several of his assistant coaches were at the Newton HS game last Friday night? My source said they were looking at QB Allen Tillman and kicker Josh Thoms. BTW, Tillman has already been offered by LSU and Auburn.
10/29/98 - Starkville HS linebacker supreme, Jason Clark, is starting to receive intense recruiting efforts by Michigan. Jason was at MSU's last home game.
Another Starkville HS player that Miss State is recruiting is Perez Boyd, a do-it-all player who plays TB/LB/SS/WR. He is 6-0, 178 with 4.5 speed. So far this year, he is averaging 32.4 yards per catch and is Starkville's second leading rusher (16.2 YPC). He also averages 24.9 yards per punt return.
10/29/98 - Advertisement: For those of you who live in the Jackson, Miss. area, don't forget Optical 2000 is where you can purchase contacts and eyeglasses from a fellow Bulldog. Go here to visit their webpage.
10/28/98 - Bulldog bits and pieces from The Clarion-Ledger:
10/28/98 Congrats go out to Mark and Christy Doiron, proud parents of twins Chad Mark and Shelby Layne. The kids and Christy are doing great and are at home now. If you have the chance, email Mark and Christy your congrats via Mark's email address which can be found on his webpage at http://agent.allstate.com/88634.
10/27/98 - The latest word is Larry Campbell will be ready for the Kentucky game.
10/27/98 - The word is Miss State, as well as LSU, are recruiting Chris Davis of Pineville, LA. I was told Chris, who scored 6 touchdowns last Friday night, runs a 4.3 forty.
10/27/98 - Other Louisiana prospects Miss State is interested in, according to the Louisiana Football Magazine, are:
10/27/98 - Advertisement: If you are looking for a hunting guide service look no farther than the Ole South hunting guide service. Jeremy Aron and Perry Ross offer hunting guide services for various hunting in Mississippi, Montana and New Mexico. Contact via their webpage by clicking here.
10/25/98 - Here are several articles about yesterday's game:
10/25/98 - Taylorsville HS quarterback Jason Campbell continues to play some outstanding football. Last Friday night he was 16-for-22 (3 drops) for 236 yards and 5 TDs. He only played the first half because the score was out of hand after the second quarter. Last week, he through for 335 yards in three quarters.
Other Taylorsville players who had quality games the past two weeks were:
10/25/98 - A source of mine had the chance to see commitment Larry Huntington play last Thursday night. According to my source, Larry "runs good routes and has good speed." He also said Larry Gillard, the EMCC center, looked really good. Yes, he is the son of former MSU standout lineman Larry Gillard. BTW, in case you forgot, Larry (Junior) was at the MSU/ETS game.
10/25/98 - Victor Horn, a running back from Huntsville HS (8-0) in Huntsville, AL. who Miss State is recruiting, has rushed for 1,074 yards and 14 TDs on 172 carries (6.2 yard average) so far this season. Victor, who ran a 4.38 forty at the Tennessee camp this past summer, also plays in the secondary. He has already made either a 17 or a 18 on his ACT. The rumor is he has already been offered by Kentucky and Michigan. He has a brother who plays at Michigan.
Another Huntsville running back to watch is Dwone Hicks, who camped at Miss State this past summer. So far this season Dwone, who plays for Lee HS (7-1), has rushed for 1,669 yards on 238 carries. In a couple of games he has rushed for 254 and 300+ yards.
In what should be an interesting match up, Huntsville and Lee play each other in the last regular scheduled game of the season for both teams.
10/23/98 - Tupelo HS all-everything football player Kelly Shumpert has committed to the Bulldogs. Kelly, as you know if you have been reading my page, is former Bulldog Chris Jones' brother. My sources tell me Kelly is an extremely talented youngster who can play many positions.
BTW, I have seen him play. His speed and quickness were what impressed me the most. In fact, I saw him return a kickoff for a touchdown during the game I attended last year.
10/23/98 - Contrary to the rumor on my message board, James Johnson did not break his ankle yesterday. He is fine and ready to take on the Tigers.
10/22/98 - For those of you who have asked, you can vote for MSU running back James Johnson for the Conerly Trophy by calling 1-900-868-3888. The cost is 99 cents per call. You can call and vote as many times as you like. Voting ends November 29th. Fan voting makes up 25% of the total score. Pick up that phone and vote, vote, vote. If you are 18 or under, please make sure it is OK with your parents before calling.
10/22/98 - More info from the Baton Rouge newspaper The Advocate (article by Glenn Guilbeau):
LSU, which has already suffered a blocked field goal and three blocked extra points in addition to other placekicking snafus this season, will also have to guard against a blocked punt this week.
Mississippi State has blocked four punts. LSU kicker Danny Boyd had a 28-yard field goal blocked early in the third quarter in the 39-36 loss to Kentucky and and LSU opponent returned a flubbed extra point for a two-point conversion for the second time this season.
"They're sound in all aspects of the kicking game," DiNardo said."So we're challenged there probably more so than we have been.
"I've been pleased with some aspects of the kicking game. But obviously not with the field goals and extra points. Some of it was protection. Some of it was low kicks. Some of it was the holding. It's one reason, and we fix it. Then another reason squirts up."
10/22/98 - More recruits names (all ratings by SuperPrep are from their Pre-Season issue). If you know anything about any of these players or the ones I mentioned Wednesday, email me your info:
10/22/98 - I'm adding a new category to my player lists: Special Teams. This will include holders and long snappers. The first person to be added is Long Snapper Matthew Pulliam of Clinton HS.
10/22/98 - Advertisement: Before or after the game this weekend head on over to CiCi's Pizza in Jackson, MS. which is located at 2895 McDowell Road in McDowell Square. Tell Bulldog fan Ray Downey Gene Swindoll sent you.
10/21/98 - Thought you guys would enjoy reading what the Baton Rouge newspaper The Advocate had in it's October 20th edition. Article by Glenn Guilbeau. Seems the LSU players are happy to be playing MSU this weekend.
If variety is the spice of life, LSU's beleaguered defense can't wait to see Mississippi State's running game.
In fact, you might see a few Tigers hugging some of the Bulldog running backs -- as long as it's behind the line of scrimmage.
"I think not playing a passing team will help us out," said LSU defensive end Jarvis Green, who chased Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch and whoever he threw it to all over Tiger Stadium Saturday in a 39-36 loss.
"It should help us get together and maybe calm the defense down, especially mentally," Green said. "It'll be like starting over, to be honest."
No. 24 Mississippi State, 5-1 overall and tied with Arkansas for first in the SEC West at 3-0, will bring tailback James Johnson, the SEC's No. 1 rusher with 125 yards a game, into Tiger Stadium Saturday at 5 p.m. for an ESPN2 game.
The Tigers, 3-3 and 1-3, have lost three straight to teams that averaged 347 passing yards against them. The last two, Kentucky and Florida, are No. 2 and No. 5 in the nation in passing with 364 and 348 yards per game, respectively.
Mississippi State, on the other hand, is dead last in the SEC in passing with 130 yards a game. The collective "Whem" you just heard came from LSU's defense, which by the way is also last in the SEC in pass defense with 282 yards allowed per game.
So it at least looks like a match made in smashmouth heaven when LSU is on defense. No SEC back other than Alabama's Shaun Alexander has more carries than Johnson, and State is second in the SEC in rushing per game with 194 yards. LSU is fourth in rush defense at 111 yards allowed a game.
Senior rush linebacker Arnold Miller, who combined with drop linebacker Jamal Hill for LSU's only sack of the game, welcomes something other than a track meet.
"Against passing teams, you're constantly running up and down the field," he said. "As soon as you get to the quarterback, the ball's released and then you're running down the field.
"That takes all your energy. I don't know if you noticed, but we did more subbing the last game than we've ever done. Against a team that runs the ball, you don't have to run down the field as much."
Kentucky's feared passing game also helped set up its finesse running attack of draws, delays and the occasional reverse to 182 yards rushing. That was the most against LSU in the SEC since Alabama gained 351 in a 26-0 victory in 1996.
"The 300 passing yards Couch got wasn't what hurt us," LSU defensive coordinator Lou Tepper said. "It was the 182 yards rushing. That was the problem."
Finesse football is not the Bulldogs' modus operandi, and they usually don't mix it up as well as a Kentucky or Florida. Johnson usually comes right at you behind his offensive line that averages 300-plus pounds.
State, which has returned most of its offense from a 7-4 1997 team tried to run the ball last year against LSU until it fell behind 17-3 in the third quarter and was forced to pass in a 24-9 loss.
"I think this next game will be pretty much a game we practice for and is ideal for us," Miller said. "Mississippi State's very physical and we practice physical.
"The last two games we had to play finesse because the teams we were playing came out and finessed us and used draws on us. I think we match up with Mississippi State better."
State does not have a Tim Couch, to say the least, senior Matt Wyatt started the first three games at quarterback but threw four interceptions and no touchdowns.
After a 42-23 loss to Oklahoma State, 6-4 redshirt freshman Wayne Madkin replaced Wyatt, and the Bulldogs beat South Carolina 38-0, Auburn 38-21 and East Tennessee State 53-6.
Madkin's largest passing numbers happened in the latter game when he aired it out for 18 times with 13 completions for 194 yards and three TDs. He is 35 of 71 for 539 yards with six TDs and three interceptions.
"We have faced three pretty good quarterbacks the last three weeks, " Tepper said. "And I'm not satisfied with what we did against them. I hope there's not three more on the schedule like that."
So does strong safety Clarence LeBlanc, who watched Couch put it up 50 times Saturday and complete 26 for 391 yards and three TDs.
"I think it is kind of a relief," he said. "It'll take some pressure off the DBs. But honestly I feel like we don't know what Mississippi State will do, because just about everybody else has come at us with different tendencies. We can't really know what to expect."
10/21/98 - Additional players Miss State is recruiting:
More names tomorrow.
10/21/98 - MSU 1998 summer football camper Michael McGrew (WR, Shades Valley HS in Ala.) has caught 12 passes for a total of 275 yards. Eight of his catches went for 1st downs and 2 have been for TD's.
10/21/98 - Advertisement: Looking for a Tux or other formal wear? Then look no farther than Tuxes Too in Jackson, Mississippi. Fellow Bulldog fan Doug Douglass will treat you right. Check out their homepage by clicking here.
10/20/98 - Get them before there aren't any more. Individual tickets remain for the November 14th Alabama game and the November 21st Arkansas game.
10/20/98 - Starkville HS player info update:
10/20/98 - Advertisement: Looking for a new or used car, then look no farther than Colbert Auto World in Houston, Mississippi. Bulldog fan Mike Colbert will give you a deal you can't refuse. Tell him Gene sent you. You can check out their webpage at this location.
10/19/98 - Erskine Wells, a little known quarterback from Jackson Academy, was supposed to have been at our game this past weekend. He is a excellent student with a very high ACT and SAT. MSU has called him quite a bit. He also has drawn interest from Arkansas, Vanderbilt and LSU.
Other players that I saw at our game were:
10/19/98 - I'm not sure if Miss State is recruiting this junior football player but I know Ole Miss is giving Daniel Ray from Sturgis HS (Sturgis, MS) a lot of recruiting attention. Daniel is a 6-4, 260-lb lineman. He is definitely someone our coaches should contact, according to my source.
10/18/98 - I noticed, while sitting along the fence which goes around the football field, several high school football players dancing to the time out music. It looked like they were attempting to do the kickoff dance. They sure seemed to be having a lot of fun.
10/18/98 - Here are various articles about yesterday's game:
10/18/98 - Injury Update:
Larry Campbell has a minor knee injury and may miss next week's game, although Larry said he felt he may be back. BTW, Larry's brother, Jason, the outstanding QB from Taylorsville, was at the game.
Bobby Pressley injured his shoulder during the game. I'm not sure how serious it is.
Ashley Cooper did not play yesterday because the coaches wanted to rest his shoulder.
10/18/98 - Jody Wright Update: Jody, who is a junior running back from Pickens Academy in Carrollton, Alabama, has now carried the ball 90 times for 1,205 yards (13.3 per carry) and 21 TD's. He has 8 straight 100+ yard games. Pickens Academy is now 8-0 on the season. BTW, he is now receiving letters from Alabama. I also have heard that he really enjoyed his visit to MSU last week.
10/18/98 - Here are pictures from the Thursday night Starkville QB Club meeting:
John Hendrick
A view of the crowd.
10/17/98 - Below you will fine the route for Saturday's Recruit Walk 1998 (note the time change):
A home football game allows Mississippi State the opportunity to welcome the top high school and junior college student athletes to our campus for unofficial (and in some cases official) visits. Please welcome our special guests.* One day some of these young men may be wearing the Maroon and White.
* NCAA rules do not permit MSU Alumni, friends, or fans to actively participate in the recruiting process. Please do not offer our guests anything other than a warm Mississippi State welcome.
Please do your part in the recruiting process by welcoming these young men to Mississippi State.
10/15/98 - In yesterday's Clarion-Ledger I read some great recruiting info by Todd Kelly. According to Todd's article, Miss State is involved with these Mississippi Juco players:
10/15/98 - Advertisement: If you are looking for farm equipment check no farther than Monroe-Tufline's webpage on the internet. Click here to go to it. Support your fellow Bulldogs by buying from Monroe Tufline's Sid Perkins.
10/14/98 - Did you know Miss State was unofficially visited by one of the top linebackers in the juco ranks this past weekend? Dwayne Robertson (6-0, 215), a 2nd Team J.C. Grid-Wire Pre-Season All-American linebacker from Georgia Military College (the same school that current MSU football player Robert Bean is from), visited State this past weekend and, according to my source, had a great time.
10/14/98 - Has Alabama discovered a sleeper from Tennessee that no one else knows about? Sorry Alabama but I'm about to let the cat out of the bag. According to a source of mine, it appears Alabama is the first college to send a letter to Luke Whitmire, of Germantown HS in Germantown, TN. Luke is a 5-10, 175-lb senior tailback / kick returner who runs a 4.4 forty, 10.8 100 meters and 22.6 200 meters. The reason so few colleges know about him is because he was injured last year and did not play football or go to any camps. He is completely recovered and is the starter at tailback. BTW, he lettered as a sophomore, one of only three sophomores who did, and he also runs track. You think maybe Miss State ought to take a look at this youngster?
10/13/98 Two things:
10/13/98 - If the Miss State fan who called the Coach Jackie Sherrill call-in show from New Zealand reads my page, please email me your phone number or address. Coach Sherrill would like to contact you.
10/13/98 - The latest word from Moss Point is LSU is really recruiting Kevin Fant, Moss Point's QB, hard. I also received word from one of my sources that The State, a South Carolina newspaper, is reporting that Kevin will visit Clemson.
10/13/98 - The word from Vicksburg is Ole Miss is really recruiting Vicksburg high school's outstanding defensive player Jason Myers hard. Miss State is also paying Jason a lot of attention.
10/13/98 - Did you know that Kelly Shumpert, Tupelo high school's outstanding QB/DB, is none other than the brother of former Miss State wide receiver Chris Jones?
10/13/98 - Clarksdale high school's Tarnaka Counslor, one of the top three running backs in Mississippi, was seen at Miss State's game this past Saturday. My source said he cheered for the home team.
10/13/98 - It appears that Miss State is a long shot with Cedrick Hillard, Lamar's outstanding defensive lineman. Notre Dame appears to be in the lead at the moment, according to a source very close to the situation.
10/12/98 - The rumor that Moss Point HS quarterback Kevin Fant has made all of Ole Miss' home games is just that, a rumor. Miss State is still very much in the picture for Kevin, the top senior quarterback in the state of Mississippi, in my opinion. And I might add, one of the toughest quarterbacks I have ever seen play. The effort he put forth in the Moss Point / South Panola game, after being injured, was one of the greatest I have ever seen.
10/12/98 - The latest word on Cathedral High School's outstanding football player Von Hutchins is he is leaning to Ole Miss at the moment. They are really recruiting him very hard is what I was told. I also was told that Von, who is a very good student, wants to major in Engineering. I wonder if Von knows Miss State had the number one Mechanical Engineering student in the nation last year?
10/11/98 - Here are various articles about yesterday's game:
10/11/98 - I apologize to all of you who asked me to tailgate with you but I had to try and solve a problem that came up Friday night and spent most of the morning trying to solve it. This left me about 15 minutes to tailgate before recruit walk.
10/11/98 - A couple of Citrus Bowl representatives were at our game yesterday. I talked to one of them and he told me they were looking at both teams. He told me this after the game was over and he and his buddy were standing on our side of the sideline. Hey, this might not mean anything but when was the last time we saw bowl reps at one of our games five games into the season?
Changing the subject. This coming weekend we are going to have Friday night basketball Midnight Madness, a 9:30 a.m. Saturday baseball scrimmage, and a 1:30 p.m. Saturday homecoming football game. If you don't get excited about this, you aren't a Bulldog fan. It's a heck of a time to be a Bulldog fan. Join the excitement by being at MSU Friday and Saturday.
10/11/98 - I tried to see as many names of players unofficially visiting yesterday, but my eyes just couldn't make out the names on most of those little name tags. I could read a few and I knew several players by their faces:
Donald Lee - Maben HS senior tight end and MSU commitment.
Dontae Walker - Clinton HS senior running back.
Jody Wright - Pickens Academy junior running back.
Rodney Outlaw - Starkville HS sophomore lineman.
Cliff Woodruff - Oxford HS senior lineman.
Javerro January - Provine HS senior quarterback.
Henry Vaughn - Starkville HS senior lineman.
Von Hutchins - Cathedral HS senior quarterback.
Walt Sligh - Canton Academy (Canton, MS), senior fullback/defensive lineman.
Nick Brett - EMCC (via Starkville HS) sophomore offensive lineman.
Jason Campbell - Taylorsville HS junior quarterback.
Kelly Shumpert - Tupelo HS senior quarterback.
Shad Schipke - Tupelo HS junior defensive lineman.
Brad Schipke - Tupelo HS junior defensive lineman.
Charlie Myles - Pascagoula HS junior linebacker.
James Shelton - Northeast Lauderdale HS running back/defensive back.
BTW, there were so many players at the game, MSU did not have enough buses to carry them all to the Student Union so they walked along the normal route.
10/10/98 - Look for these South Panola HS football players to be among the 225 to 250 high school and junior college players who will be unofficially attending our game today. There will also be about 150 coaches in attendance:
1. Justin Pope - 6-2, 230, LB
2. Kimario Hentz(K-Mart) - 6-0, 180, RB/DB
3. Toriano Brown(to-ree'-no) - 6-2, 265, TE/DL
4. Kory Chapman - 6-1, 185, RB
5. Bobby Bibbs - 6-2, 170, DB
6. Demetrius Wright - 5-11, 185, DB
7. Marcus Conner - 6-1, 185, QB/RB/DB
Also look for Taylorville HS quarterback Jason Campbell (6-4, 190) to be an unofficial visitor today. Make sure you give these kids a big Bulldog welcome. Show them why we like to consider ourselves the friendliest university in the state of Mississippi. Don't forget Recruit Walk begins at 10:30 at the Student Union.
10/10/98 - Did you know that Jordan Lesley, a junior football player I have recently mentioned, is an Ole Miss fan? The word on Jordan, according to folks who have seen him play, is he is a field general on the field.
10/10/98 - Shhhhh, don't tell anybody but Ole Miss is really looking hard at Kossuth HS defensive end Brad Bonds. Brad is a 6-2, 239-lb. junior who has very good speed and, according to my source, is a "man among boys." My source feels he is the best player to come out of Alcorn county since L. P. Spence. BTW, L.P. is working for a local company in his hometown.
10/10/98 - Update: According to a source of mine, Shades Valley HS wide receiver Michael McGrew (a player who camped at Miss State this summer) continues to catch college coaches eyes due to his size, speed and hands. He has helped lead his team to a 5-and-1 start with his clutch catches.
10/09/98 - I received this Auburn analysis from an Auburn fan. Just thought you guys would enjoy. It is a very thorough analysis, as you can see.
Offense:
Any look at Auburn has to start with the offensive line. Coached by former MSU line coach Rick Trickett, this group has been criticized from the start. Part of it is deserved, part of it not. At center, true freshman Ben Knowland has been thrust into the starting lineup. He is, get this, the FIFTH-STRING center. The 1997 starter quit during two a days. The second-string center got hurt in the week leading up to the Virginia game. The third string center got hurt DURING the Virginia game. That left a fifth year senior coming off shoulder surgery as the center. While he made it most of the way through Ole Miss and LSU, he went down in the Tennessee game with an injury. So Ben, welcome to the starting lineup. The rest of his mates on the line are more experienced, but have not been too productive. Holes have been few and far between, and the pass protection has been suspect too. The best of the unit is either tackle Jeno James (#78) or guard Kendell Simmons (#73). G DeMarcus Curry is always a play away from being yanked.
Michael Burks (#21) has taken over as the top tailback. Last year's leading rusher, Rusty Williams (#3), was moved to WR in the spring, and this week was moved to safety. Another former RB, Markeith Cooper (#17), is also a WR now. The starter this year was supposed to be Demontray Carter (#1), but a bum ankle has slowed his progress. He's played no more than a quarter of the snaps thus far. He's the breakaway back, but hasn't been able to show it. That leaves Burks - the true freshman. Burks runs hard, but right now doesn't have the speed to run outside or the power to run inside consistently (not to mention the lack of blocking). His 26 carries for 86 yards against Tennessee support this. He makes his yards on effort and desire. Cencade Pennington (#40) will get a few snaps at TB as well.
Auburn's best backs this year have been its fullbacks, but as with other places, injuries have hurt. Heath Evans was having a great start to 1998 when a broken ankle in the first half of the LSU game ended his season. That leaves Tellie Embery (#48) and Roman Nelson (#38). Auburn likes to run the screen to the fullback, and even get them out in the pattern sometimes. Embery has been a solid replacement since Evans' injury and showed some nice moves against UT.
The starting receiver are Karsten Bailey (#5) and Clifton Robinson (#15). Robinson has been the surprise of the season. Bailey was expected to be the go to receiver, but despite his size (5'8'') Robinson has been the go-to guy early on for Auburn. Look for another freshman to maybe get some time here as well - Tim Carter (#2) moved to WR when Williams moved to DB. That's about the extent of the receivers. Errick Lowe (#8) and Ryan Hooker (#18) get a few snaps, but not many balls thrown their way. Tight ends have been non-existent for the last couple of years.
Finally, the QB situation. Ben Leard (#14) was the starter for the first four games, but injury, inconsistent play, and the performance of true freshman Gabe Gross (#22) have got fans begging for a change. Gross is more athletic, and showed flashes of brilliance on Saturday. The bottom line is we didn't get into the end zone though. Look for Gross to start, but for both QB's to play, unless Gross is lighting it up.
Defense:
The defensive line has played well for the most part. Leonardo Carson (#91) and Charles Dorsey (#95) anchor the line, and play most of the snaps. Jeff Dunlap (#76) moved into the starting rotation when senior Jimmy Brumbaugh decided to take a medical redshirt this year as he tries to recover from continued knee problems. The question here is depth. Behind these three, there's not much other than freshmen and inexperienced sophomores.
The inside linebackers were a question mark coming into the season, with the graduation of Ricky Neal and the departure to the NFL of Takeo Spikes (who has been awesome with the Bengals so far!). Two redshirt freshmen start now - James Callier (#51) and Tavarreus Pounds (#41). Callier is pretty speedy, and could be AU's next great LB. Haven Fields (#54) is in that rotation as well, and was actually the starter earlier in the year in place of Callier.
As inexperienced as the ILB's are, the OLB's are that experienced, with two juniors and a senior in the rotation. Quinton Reese (#86) and Ryan Taylor (#6) are the starters, but Marcus Washington (#82) plays a great deal as well. These guys have good size (all at least 6-2, 230), good speed and good hands. It seems like each one of them has had a key interception in the flat at some point in their careers.
The secondary is the most experienced unit for the Tigers. Safeties Rob Pate (#31) and Brad Ware (#27) are solid. Both are good run stoppers and tacklers, and Ware has plenty of speed. The corners are Larry Casher (#24) and Antwoine Nolan (#13). Each of them have played well, with the only knock on them being the size (both about 5-9, 180). Jason Bray (#4) will see plenty of time too, and has played really well. Courtney Rose (#30) is about the only other DB who has played much, but look for Williams (#3) to play some as well.
Special Teams:
Special teams have been inconsistent. Cooper is the PR, but makes too many mistakes. In fact, Robinson replaced him late in the UT game. Cooper catches punts he shouldn't, doesn't catch ones he should, and fair catches when he has room to run. Cooper and Robinson are the KOR men as well. The punter is Jeremy Zills, and his performance has been erratic at times too, including a 28-yard punt last week. Robert Birnonas has handled kickoffs, and booms them consistently into the end zone.
10/08/98 - According to reliable sources, South Panola running back Kimario Hentz is most interested in Alabama and Clemson at the moment. The word is he wants to go out of state.
Although Batesville is very close to Oxford and Ole Miss alumni have influence with certain people in South Panola HS, several of the South Panola players may be receptive to unofficially visiting Miss State. All they need is an invitation from the Miss State coaches.
10/08/98 - Olive Branch's outstanding lineman Jordan Pettit has committed to Vanderbilt because of their academics and because they have showed a lot of interest in him. Look for Arkansas, Auburn and Kentucky to make offers later, according to my source. After they make their offers, will Jordan's verbal commitment to Vanderbilt stand? According to my source, who is close to the situation, Jordan will most likely honor his commitment. I have been told Miss State has expressed an interest in Jordan.
10/08/98 - Here is an excellent article by Clarion-Ledger staff writer Sekou Smith (dated Oct. 5th):
Mississippi State's recruiting class in February of 1997 was rated at the bottom of the Southeastern Conference by recruiting gurus all across the country.
"Too top heavy with junior college players," one national magazine wrote. "Six high school kids in a class is not enough to even warrant a class," another supposed expert wrote.
However, a closer look at the 17-player class --- which included four leftover scholarships from the 1996 class and a transfer from a four-year school who was already enrolled --- shows 10 current starters for the 3-1 Bulldogs.
Three of those starters --- quarterback Wayne Madkin, left tackle Floyd Womack and defensive tackle Ellis Wyms --- were high school signees.
Since they started playing, State has gone 10-5 and battled for the SEC West championship last season, with players from the '97 class playing a large role.
To many involved in the recruiting game, State's '97 class was an example of the quick fix theory, selling out with jucos to win now at the expense of building for the future.
But after a one-year probation reducing new scholarships to 12, because of previous NCAA violations, State coaches had no choice but to comb the juco ranks for immediate help.
"We planned this for a whole year," State coach Jackie Sherrill said at the time. "And we stuck to our plan. And overall the quality of the players we signed is phenomenal."
Turns out the experts, who grow in number like weeds in an uncut lawn, were a little off in their calculations.
"That's the whole misconception about recruiting," Chicago-based recruiting guru Tom Lemming said. "No one class will ever make or break a program on its own. It's how classes piece together over a three-or four-year span that decides things in the end.
"Some schools use junior college players. Others steer clear of them, opting for high school players only. It's all a matter of preference and that changes from school to school."
But there is the lingering perception that junior colleges are outlaw programs with outlaw players, which doesn't sit well with some alumni and media.
And once you start dipping heavily into the juco ranks, does it stop?
"You can sign a class full of high school players and not have one make a solid contribution for two or three years depending on the situation," Lemming said. "But in all honesty, two solid years is all you'll get out of most players anyway."
"The really good ones stick around for three at the most and the ones who come along slower don't produce sometimes until their fourth or fifth year."
State's 1997 juco signees were rated the best in the nation by JC Grid-Wire Magazine, ahead of Kansas State's.
The Wildcats are 4-0 and currently the fourth-ranked team in the country.
K-State coach Bill Snyder built a perennial doormat of a program into a national title contender in nine years by consistently using the JC formula, due largely to the fact that the high school football in Kansas was not strong enough to support the program on its own.
"Schools have to use what resources are available to them," Lemming said. "If Kansas State doesn't recruit those Kansas junior colleges, they're crazy. The same goes for any Mississippi school that doesn't do the same in the Mississippi junior college system. There's just too much talent to pass up.
"I'm not saying those schools shouldn't recruit high school players, because that can provide an excellent foundation for any program. But it comes down to what's more important, finding players that can help you win or the perception that that is what you're doing."
10/07/98 - Donald Lee Update: As most of you know, Donald, who is a TE, was MSU's first commitment. So far this season Donald has really played well. Although it has been difficult to get the ball in his hands as a receiver, I was told Maben's coaches realize Donald is too valuable of an offensive player to not put him in a position where he can touch the ball, so they have started putting him in the backfield with their outstanding running back Randy Bell. Last week, on 6 carries, Donald rushed for over 50 yards. Plus, he has improved his blocking skills and is truly becoming a total player. BTW, Donald is now 6-4, 235-lbs.
Speaking of Randy Bell: Randy, who is 6-0, 185-lbs and very strong, has rushed for over 1,100 yards in 6 games, including 267 yards on 27 carries against Sturgis last Friday. I have been told Randy is a great kid who is also a good student who should qualify. My source believes Randy is interested in Ole Miss. He has received questionnaires from many D-I colleges, including Ole Miss, Miss State and Auburn, among others.
10/07/98 - There should be over 200 high school and junior college players unofficially visiting at the Miss State / Auburn game this weekend. Make sure you show them a big Bulldog welcome when they come by your tailgate party as they walk from the Student Union to the Stadium beginning at 10:30.
10/07/98 - Mary Ann and I will be heading down to Vicksburg tomorrow afternoon. We are planning on attending the Meet The Coaches event at Maxwell's Restaurant. We are looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible. See you there.
10/06/98 - It appears that in the next few days Miss State will pick up a commitment from a player by the name of Larry Huntington. Larry, who is extremely fast and quick, is a 5-10, 183-lb. DE/WR/PR from East Miss. CC (via Atlanta, Ga.). This youngster, who is one of the fastest players in the Miss. Juco ranks and an outstanding punt returner, will sign with the Bulldogs in December. He is Miss State's second announced December commitment (6-6, 310-lb. Juco Pre-Season All-American DT Dorsett Davis previously announced he would sign with the Bulldogs in December).
10/06/98 - Recruit Walk starts at the Union Building at 10:30 Saturday morning. Get out there and give these prospective Bulldogs a big Bulldog welcome as they walk down the street toward the stadium. BTW, Saturday is ACT week, so expect a lot of high school players to be at the game. Remember, according to NCAA rules, you can not give these youngsters anything but a Bulldog welcome.
10/05/98 - Jody Wright, a junior running back who plays for Pickens Academy in Carrollton, Alabama, will be taking an unofficial visit to the Miss State / Auburn game this coming Saturday. Jody recently set an Alabama state record (public and private) for the most yards per carry for one game. He was listed in the Birmingham News prep players of the week for that game. So far this season, Jody has 896 yards and 16 TDs on 62 carries (14.5 yards per carry). This past Friday, he had 132 yards on 7 carries in a 47 to 7 Pickens Academy (6-0) victory over Jefferson Christian. Two of his carries were for touchdown runs of 37 and 39 yards. He also had a 73-yard punt return called back.
10/05/98 - Here's a look at two of Mississippi's finest quarterbacks. The analysis is by one of you. The person who emailed this info to me has seen both quarterbacks play numerous times, including a head to head battle this past Friday night. Remember, this is one man's opinion. My source is not a coach or recruiting analyst, although I do value his opinion.
Allen Tillman - Senior quarterback from Newton HS who is being recruited by Miss State, Ole Miss and many others:
Jason Campbell - Junior quarterback from Taylorsville HS who is drawing interest from several SEC schools and other D-I colleges:
BTW, here are both quarterbacks (unofficial) stats from Friday night's game:
Tillman: 6-for-15 (one dropped pass) with 78 yards passing, 3 ints, 6 carries for 105 yards, 2 TDs.
Campbell: 10-for-22 (3 drops and one throw-away) with 156 yards, 1 TD, 1 int. Very little blocking and had to buy time with play action.
Taylorsville fell behind 27-0 but came back to win 40-to-27.
(This paragraph is my opinion.) BTW, Campbell may be a familiar name to most Bulldog fans since present Bulldog Larry Campbell is Jason's older brother. As far as recruiting goes, that will probably not have anything to do with where Jason will go after his senior year (See Archie Manning and Peyton Manning). This youngster has a chance to be the most talented quarterback to come out of Mississippi since former Ole Miss quarterback Archie Manning . Like Archie, Jason has it all: the arm, size (6-5, 190), smarts (A/B student), good family background, leadership and toughness. Look for Jason to be a national recruit.
10/05/98 - Miss State is showing interest in South Panola HS (SPHS) football player Michael Brassell, a 6-0, 295-lb. senior defensive lineman. My sources tell me Michael is a hard worker and nice student. Another South Panola HS player who is drawing D-I interest (Ole Miss) is Toriano Brown, a 6-2, 265-lb. senior OL/DL. The word out of Batesville is Ole Miss is really working SPHS hard once again.
10/05/98 - Check out Bulldog fan Scott's homepage by clicking here.
10/01/98 - Look for the Miss State coaches to be at junior college and high school games during the next two days. If you see one of them, go by and say hello. If you know something about one of the players playing in the game, tell the coach about him. The coaches see the athletic talent by observing the kid playing ball, but don't always know the caliber of the person, something you may know about.
10/01/98 - Dawg Bits and Pieces:
