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Mississippi State 2016 Season Preview: The Post Dak Prescott Era

By Shawn Spencer

Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs pose for a picture with the Belk Bowl trophy after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolfpack 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2015; Charlotte, NC, USA; The Mississippi State Bulldogs pose for a picture with the Belk Bowl trophy after defeating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2015 Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs defeated the Wolfpack 51-28. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Northwestern State Demons at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 62-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) runs the ball during the second half of the game against the Northwestern State Demons at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi State won 62-13. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

The Players

Mississippi State had three players selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, but there will be at least 11 new starters for the Bulldogs when the season begins. How will the team replace that many starters? In most cases, the answer is inexperienced upperclassmen.

Obviously the biggest hole is at quarterback, a position Dak Prescott played so well in his time with the program. The fourth-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys was the only offensive player drafted from last year’s team. The answer as to who will replace Prescott is a bit cloudy right now. Four quarterbacks are in the running according to Dan Mullen. The candidates include freshman Nick Tiano, junior Damian Williams and sophomores Nick Fitzgerald and Elijah Staley. The four have thrown a combined 89 collegiate passes. Although Williams is the most experienced of the group, Fitzgerald is projected to win the competition.

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The eventual winner of the QB competition will have a new group of receivers to throw the ball to. De’Runnya Wilson declared for the NFL Draft, Joe Morrow graduated and Fred Brown was dismissed. The good news for Mississippi State is Fred Ross will be returning for his senior season. Ross caught 88 passes for 1,007 yards a year ago. Joining Ross in the starting lineup will be sophomore Jesse Jackson and deep threat Donald Gray. Two reliable targets, Gabe Myles and Malik Dear, will split time in the slot.

Missing from that group of receivers is size. Ross is the only one listed taller than 6-feet, so don’t be surprised if true freshman Jamal Couch makes an impact by season’s end. The four-star recruit who originally committed to Florida State, stands 6-foot-4 and would be an ideal replacement for Wilson. Whether or not he’s ready to take on that role is unclear at this point.

The defense will look a lot different in 2016 as well. Not only will the Bulldogs switch to a 3-4 formation, but there will be plenty of new faces on the field as well. In addition to the new starters, Mississippi State will have at least one reliable veteran on each level of the defense with A.J. Jefferson on the defensive line, Richie Brown on the second level and Brandon Bryant in the secondary.

Despite those three solid contributors returning, there’s still a lot of work to do on that side of the ball. The Bulldogs lost several key players, including defensive tackle Chris Jones, defensive end Ryan Brown, linebacker Beniquez Brown and cornerbacks Will Redmond and Taveze Calhoun.

Sep 26, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Melvin Ray (82) carries the ball up the field against Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Torrey Dale (49) during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Melvin Ray (82) carries the ball up the field against Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive lineman Torrey Dale (49) during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

To replace Jones and Brown on the defensive line, the Bulldogs will take two different approaches. Implementing the three-man front will eliminate a DT, while a senior and freshman will compete for snaps at the DE position vacated by Brown. Senior Torrey Dale is expected to begin the season in that role opposite Jefferson, however top recruit Jeffery Simmons is the DE of the future. If Simmons is impressive enough in fall camp, he may be the DE of the present as well.

Replacing Brown at outside linebacker will be Will Coleman and J.T. Gray. Coleman is likely to make more of an impact on the stat sheet, as the former DE will play more of a pass-rushing edge role.

The secondary will be critical to the team’s success this year as Tolando Cleveland and Cedric Jiles are expected to replace Redmond and Calhoun at cornerback. Both are seniors, so the learning curve won’t be an issue. It’s the production and ability that is a major question mark. Cleveland played well in relief duties last season, but facing opposing number one receivers will be a much greater challenge.

Next: Impact Freshmen

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