2009 NFP Scouting Series: Miss State

For the rest of the offseason, the National Football Post will break down every team in the Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A) to identify players who might warrant interest from NFL teams in the 2010 draft.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs stumbled to a 4-8 record last year but have a decent group of returning senior prospects to go along with some talented underclassmen and recruits.

Click HERE to check out the rest of the NFP’s college breakdowns.

Here’s our first look at the Mississippi State Bulldogs:

Offense

Anthony Dixon: No. 24, RB, 6-1, 234

Displays good footwork and balance for a back his size and does a nice job picking his way through the line of scrimmage. Is patient through the hole and has the lateral mobility to reach the cutback lane and square his shoulders into the open field. Possesses a strong lower body and does a good job driving his legs through contact and always falling forward. Consistently is able to step through would-be tacklers at the line of scrimmage but needs to do a better job running with a lower pad level when changing directions. Doesn’t display much burst to his game and lacks the ability to change speeds in the open field. Has a strong base and displays the ability to drop his pad level in pass protection and jar a defender on contact. Looks natural in the receiving game as well, adjusts quickly to the football and displays the wiggle to make a man miss and create a play in the open field.

Impression: A physical, instinctive runner who picks his way through the line of scrimmage and grinds out yards in the run game.

Brandon McRae: No. 6, WR, 6-4, 205

A big, long receiver with great length who displays impressive range when asked to go get the football. However, he lacks natural hands and struggles plucking the ball away from his frame. A long strider who is slow out of his stance and doesn’t showcase any kind of burst to his game. Plays at one speed and doesn’t exhibit a second gear down the field. Has some quickness out of his breaks and uses his body well to shield defensive backs away from the play, but most of his catches come with a defender draped over him. Works hard as a blocker but possesses a frail upper body and isn’t going to drive a defender out of the play.

Impression: A long, thin target who lacks burst and will struggle beating press coverage and separating at the next level.

J.C. Brignone: No. 70, C, 6-1, 300

A decent athlete who gets off the ball quickly and has the first step to angle defensive linemen away from the play. However, he lacks the power and length to stay on his blocks for an extended period. Does a nice job dropping his pad level on contact and getting his hands inside but isn’t real heavy-handed and consistently allows athletic defensive linemen to disengage. Struggles sliding laterally when engaged and lacks the bulk and length to hold off defenders once they gain a step on him.

Impression: Undersized center prospect who has some quickness off the snap, but really struggles staying on his blocks.

Derek Sherrod: No. 79, OT, 6-6, 312

Isn’t a real flexible athlete and doesn’t look fluid firing out of his stance. Has a tendency to overextend when trying to reach blocks and really lumbers in space. Gets way too wide with his footwork in pass protection, which causes him to struggle redirecting and mirroring defensive linemen on the outside. Has some natural strength in his upper body and does a nice job extending his long arms and getting his hands inside. Is tough to disengage from, and when he gets his hands on you the battle is over. Displays much better balance and overall technique when he’s engaged and does a nice job shuffling his feet and driving his legs through contact.

Impression: At his best in a phone booth and looks like a right tackle prospect only.

Defense

Note: Mississippi State added DL Pernell McPhee to its roster this offseason. McPhee, considered one of the premier junior college players in the nation, is an explosive pass rusher who has all the tools to become a force at either the DT or DE spot in 2009. He’s definitely a guy to keep an eye on in the SEC, and he’ll be eligible for the 2010 draft.

Kyle Love: No. 95, DT, 6-1, 312

A thick, squatty interior lineman who really struggles on plays away from his frame and lacks any kind of range in the run game. Plays with natural leverage and has the ability to work off an opposing lineman’s shoulder and drive his way into the backfield. Struggles finding the football inside and is too easily washed out of plays by the double-team. Lacks ideal length and too often allows offensive linemen to get in on his frame. Gets too high when attempting to shed blocks and struggles disengaging.

Impression: A short interior plugger who has some natural strength but allows himself to get washed out of plays too easily for someone his size.

K.J. Wright: No. 34, OLB, 6-3, 245

A tall, well-built athlete who possesses good length and power in his upper body. Does a nice job jacking tight ends on contact and making it difficult for them to get off the line. Possesses the short area quickness to avoid blockers and does a nice job closing on the football and driving his legs through contact. Has the fluidity to stick with tight ends and running backs down the field and does a nice job exploding out of his breaks and staying in their back pockets. Plays with a mean streak and works hard in pursuit. Gets a bit too high at times in space and needs to do a better job using his hands to keep himself clean. Lacks a second gear and has a tendency to lumber sideline to sideline. Is more quick and explosive than straight-line fast.

Impression: A big, well-built linebacker with natural range and a passion for the game. If he keeps improving, he has a shot to start at the next level.

Jamar Chaney: No. 22, ILB, 6-1, 245

An emotional leader inside who plays with a consistent motor and works very hard in pursuit. Showcases good lateral mobility and is very smooth in his drop. Displays the ability to get down the field and redirect cleanly in space. Possesses good closing speed on the ball and can make plays sideline to sideline.

Lacks ideal instincts in the run game. Has some trouble taking proper angles toward the football inside and will shoot the wrong gap trying to sniff out the ball carrier. Doesn’t play with the kind of natural power or leverage his frame would indicate and struggles holding the point of attack. Is washed out of plays too easily at times but does a nice job using his hands to eventually shed blocks and work himself back toward the ball.

Impression: An athletic middle linebacker who is comfortable in space but doesn’t possess the power or strength to consistently win inside at the point of attack.

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