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Signing Day 2012: Live Tracker
by bradlocke
 Inside Mississippi State Sports
3 months ago | 5290 views | 0 0 comments | 9 9 recommendations | email to a friend | print | permalink

The big day is finally here, and Mississippi State has signed its full allotment. The Bulldogs have signed 28 players in all, a number that includes three December junior college signees. Those guys count back toward the 2011 class, so State maxed out with 25 high school signees.

Some decisions came down to today, and MSU picked up a couple of highly rated linebackers when Beniquez Brown (Florence, Ala.) and Richie Brown (Long Beach) announced this morning that they would be Bulldogs.

MSU also picked up receiver Artimas Samuel (Columbus, Ga.), who had originally planned to enroll at Hargrave Military Academy this fall and then join the Bulldogs next year. But a spot opened up when athlete Adairius Barnes (Port Gibson) signed with Louisiana Tech.

I've posted mini-bios on each prospect below. Info has been culled from the various scouting services, with the bulk of the stats coming from BulldogBlitz.com – we really couldn't do this without those guys, could we?

You can visit djournal.com for signing day updates on not only MSU, but Ole Miss, Southern Miss, the local junior colleges, and any other local kids who sign.

Dan Mullen will meet with the press at 1 p.m. to discuss the signing class.

–––––

Nelson Adams, DL, Brandon

Vitals: 6-4, 290

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 96 tackles, 19 TFL and 7 sacks.

Buzz: Some project him as an end, but he has the size to line up inside.

–––––

Quadry Antoine, S, Belle Chase, La.

Vitals: 5-11, 205

Star rating: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 76 tackles, 9 TFL, 1 INT; named first-team all-state in Class 4A.

Buzz: Could be good enough to find the field in 2012, given a lack of proven depth at safety.

–––––

Denico Autry, DL, East Miss. CC

Vitals: 6-5, 250

Star ratings: 247sports 5, Rivals 4, Scout 5

Key facts/figures: Made 81 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 11 sacks; named NJCAA first-team All-American.

Buzz: Big-time playmaker can bring a pass-rushing threat MSU didn't have at end last season. Said to be better than Pernell McPhee. Early enrollee.

–––––

Devon Bell, P, Vicksburg (Warren Central)

• Vitals: 6-2, 180

Star ratings: 247sports 2, Rivals 2, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Averaged 42.2 yards per punt with a long of 63; was 4 of 7 on field goals with a long of 55 yards.

Buzz: Brings immediate depth to the kicking game, projects as a punter in the long term.

–––––

Torrey Bell, DL, New Orleans (John Curtis)

Vitals: 6-4, 222

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 72 tackles, 18 TFL and 16 sacks; led team to Class 2A state title; named first-team all-state in 2A.

Buzz: Small for an end but could play linebacker as well. Comes from a tradition-rich program.

–––––

Beniquez Brown, LB, Florence, Ala.

• Vitals: 6-2, 215

Star rating: 247sports 4, Rivals 3, Scout 4

Key facts/figures: Made 134 tackles, 8 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 INTs; had 1,200 yards, 15 TDs on 118 carries as a tailback.

Buzz: One of the bigger catches in this class, he chose MSU over several SEC schools, including Arkansas, Auburn and Ole Miss.

–––––

Frederick Brown, WR, Jackson (Jim Hill)

• Vitals: 6-2, 185

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 24 catches for 440 yards, 5 TDs; averaged 22.0 yards on 18 kick returns.

Buzz: As the numbers show, Brown can be a downfield threat, and he comes in with good size.

–––––

Richie Brown, LB, Long Beach

Vitals: 6-2, 230

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 4, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 209 tackles, 3 sacks; named Parade All-American; rushed for 675 yards, 15 TDs on offense.

• Buzz: A big piece for the future of this position. Expect him and Beniquez Brown to become a nice tandem.

–––––

Ryan Brown, DL, Marrero, La. (Shaw)

Vitals: 6-4, 240

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 36 tackles, 9 TFL, 3.5 sacks for a 3-7 team.

Buzz: Presents an imposing figure, should settle in at defensive end.

–––––

Cole Carter, OT, Caledonia

Vitals: 6-5, 290

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 2, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 12 pancake blocks; recorded 29 tackles on defense.

Buzz: Also played some tight end, indicating he knows how to carry his weight.

–––––

Kivon Coman, ATH, Florence, Ala.

Vitals: 6-1, 185

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 92 tackles, 4 INTs.

Buzz: Could end up at cornerback, a position that will need beefing up after this season.

–––––

Devon Desper, C, Madison (Madison Central)

• Vitals: 6-4, 300

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made nine pancake blocks.

Buzz: Will add immediate depth to center, which is unsettled right now.

–––––

Deonte Evans, WR, McComb

• Vitals: 5-11, 190

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Had 944 yards, 13 TDs rushing; made 65 tackles, 5 TFL and 6 sacks on defense.

Buzz: Also listed as a running back and safety, so no telling where he'll end up. Chose MSU over Louisiana Tech, Memphis and Southern Miss.

–––––

Quay Evans, DL, Morton

• Vitals: 6-3, 305

Star ratings: 247sports 4, Rivals 4, Scout 5

Key facts/figures: Made 72 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles; considered by most to be the top prospect in Mississippi this year.

Buzz: As an early enrollee, he'll be able to go through spring drills and could play immediately.

–––––

Xavier Grindle, RB, Columbia (E. Marion)

Vitals: 5-11, 195

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Had 2,109 yards, 19 TDs on 225 carries.

Buzz: MSU is deep at tailback right now, so this is a solid pickup for the future.

–––––

Dylan Holley, C, Gulf Coast CC

• Vitals: 6-3, 305

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 2

Key facts/figures: Named NJCAA first-team All-American; helped Gulf Coast lead the nation in rushing.

Buzz: Has played more than one spot on the line, but is a leading candidate to take over starting center duty this fall. Early enrollee.

–––––

Brandon Holloway, ATH, Tampa, Fla. (Alonso)

Vitals: 5-10, 160

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Had 907 yards, 10 TDs on 131 carries; had 19 catches for 302 yards.

Buzz: A track athlete, too, who can reportedly run the 40 in 4.4 or less.

–––––

Nick James, DL, Long Beach

Vitals: 6-5, 320

Star ratings: 247sports 4, Rivals 3, Scout 4

Key facts/figures: Made 62 tackles, 6 TFL and 1 sack.

Buzz: Quite the load with a ton of potential, but was dismissed from his high school team before the 2011 season ended.

–––––

A.J. Jefferson, DL, Summit (North Pike)

Vitals: 6-2, 240

Star ratings: 247sports 4, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 110 tackles, 12 sacks.

Buzz: One of those guys that has a chance to play early, should be an anchor down front in the future.

–––––

Cedric Jiles, CB, Clinton

• Vitals: 5-10, 170

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 25 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 INT.

Buzz: A very good cover corner, due partly to his 4.4 speed.

–––––

Adarrius Perkins, WR, Brooklyn (Forrest Co. AHS)

• Vitals: 6-2, 220

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Had 22 catches for 475 yards, 6 TDs; had 39 tackles, 1 INT on defense.

Buzz: Has played CB as well, but brings good size to WR position.

–––––

Will Redmond, ATH, Memphis East

• Vitals: 6-0, 180

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 4, Scout 4

Key facts/figures: Had 545 yards, 7 TDs on 61 carries; had 563 yards, 8 TDs on 27 catches; made 64 tackles, 3 INTs on defense.

Buzz: One of the better athletes in this class, probably will wind up at cornerback.

–––––

Artimas Samuel, WR, Columbus, Ga. (Carver)

Vitals: 6-2, 205

• Star ratings: 247sports 2, Rivals 3, Scout 2

Key facts/figures: Had 25 catches, 6 TDs.

Buzz: Originally given grayshirt offer, but can join team this fall after Barnes signed with Louisiana Tech.

–––––

Nick Schuessler, QB, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson)

• Vitals: 6-4, 190

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 2, Scout 2

Key facts/figures: Passed for 1,753 yards, 19 TDs; led Grayson to Class AAAAA state title.

Buzz: Throws a real nice deep ball, carries "winner" label with a 25-3 career record.

–––––

Justin Senior, OT, Hargrave Military

Vitals: 6-6, 280

Star ratings: 247sports 2, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: None.

Buzz: Also had offers from Bowling Green and Memphis. Originally hails from Montreal. Early enrollee.

–––––

Charles Siddoway, OT, Oroville, Calif. (Butte CC)

• Vitals: 6-6, 300

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Named NJCAa first-team All-American.

Buzz: Should add immediate depth on the line and could even compete for a starting job at one of the tackle positions. Spent two years at Cal. Early enrollee.

–––––

Gus Walley, TE, Leakesville (Greene Co.)

• Vitals: 6-4, 220

Star ratings: 247sports 2, Rivals 3, Scout 2

Key facts/figures: Had 43 catches for 566 yards and 3 TDs.

Buzz: Missed the end of the season with shoulder and MCL injuries. Will start out as the fourth tight end.

–––––

Jordan Washington, DL, Suwanee, Geo. (N. Gwinnett)

• Vitals: 6-2, 265

Star ratings: 247sports 3, Rivals 3, Scout 3

Key facts/figures: Made 33 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks.

Buzz: Probably will play at tackle. Had an offer from Ohio State, among others.

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