Only 14 days until the college football season kicks off with Mississippi State at Memphis.
BulldawgJunction.com - Bulldogs go back to school
Even though school started yesterday, Mullen opted to practice. BDJ has a run down and a video interview with Dan Mullen (which is also the bottom of the post).
While in recent days Mullen had expressed his displeasure with practice, he was downright upbeat about how the Bulldogs did this afternoon. "I was pleased today with the first day of school," Mullen said. "We haven't really practiced much on the first day of school in the past with some of the distractions you have, having to go to class. We decided to try it this year and I was pretty pleased with the focus our guys had."
BulldawgJunction.com - Croom set to announce Thursday
The big recruiting news of the day is Norcross (High), Ga., receiver Jason Croom is set to pick between Tennessee and Mississippi State. As I mentioned yesterday, based on his comments about momma talking to the Volunteer coaching staff, I fully expect him to pick UT. After he makes his decision, be sure to check back with us for reaction.
While Croom himself has kept in contact with MSU, it's his mother who has built a strong relationship with the Vols coaching staff. "I just liked (Tennessee) when I went down there," Croom said. "They seem like a good coaching staff. They seem like they are ready to get it going. I know they play freshmen early down there. I think at one point they were all freshmen. They run a pro-style and my mom's been in contact with them throughout the whole time ever since they were able to send me mail as a 10th grader."
Construction on football complex starting next month? | Mississippi State sports
Looks like construction of Dan Mullen's $25 million football palace will begin sooner rather than later. I approve.
The school will request approval for exterior design plans at Thursday’s state College Board meeting, according to the monthly meeting’s agenda. The real news? The target start date of September.
Limited tickets left for football games | The SDN's Bulldog Blog
Wait...you mean there are still tickets available for UT-Martin?!
/rushes to the phone and digs under couch cushion to find wallet
The South Carolina games still has 2,300 tickets available while the Ole Miss game has 1,600 and 1,200 remaining for the LSU game. The two non conference games where tickets are still available is the Louisiana Tech and UT-Martin games. The La. Tech game has 535 tickets available while there are only 200 remaining for the UT-Martin game.
Three Hot Issues In Fall Camp: Mississippi State | Saturday Down South
The fine folks at Saturday Down South break down the three hot button issues facing the Bulldogs. Click the link for more information.
1. Believe As A Team They Have A Shot
2. Rekindle The Passing Offense
3. Get Linebackers Figured Out
Lawrence is Bulldogs' silent leader | The Clarion-Ledger | clarionledger.com
Brandon Marcello profiles offensive lineman Addison Lawrence.
Still, Lawrence's production has been impressive. He graded at a "championship level" in eight games last season and 80 percent or higher in 10 games. He recorded 43 knockdown blocks at right tackle, helping State rank 16th nationally in rushing offense.
Clinton's Jiles excels on the corner | The Clarion-Ledger | clarionledger.com
Cedric Jiles, of Clinton, Miss., is a Mississippi State commit.
"We always match him up with the best receiver someone had," said Clinton coach Scott Brown. "Every week, he gets the short straw and gets the toughest duty. But he is a competitor and he wants to be that guy."
The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Jiles is ranked as the state's top cornerback by recruiting services Rivals.com and Scout.com. "Cedric has elite speed and hits with surprising power for a guy his size," said Steve Robertson, Southeast regional analyst for Scout.com. "He is the top corner in the state this year and he would be in most classes."
Quiet Jaguar Desper lets his blocking do the talking | The Clarion-Ledger | clarionledger.com
Madison Central's Devon Desper is also a Mississippi State commit. Did I mention he goes to Madison Central? Go Jaguars!
Desper's size, strength, footwork, smarts and "mean streak" lead to such a compliment. He has bench-pressed as much as 385 pounds and maxed out at 550 on the squat. He has "good feet," Hall says, and knows every other lineman's duties on each play.
SEC West has potential to be best division of all-time - ESPN ($)
Brad Edwards uncovers a startling fact—the SEC Western Division is loaded.
It's so strong that the Mississippi State Bulldogs are a top-20 team in the preseason coaches' poll but are still ranked behind four other teams in the West.
Dan Mullen post practice 8/16/11 Bulldawg Junction.com (via BulldogBlitzInc)