GULFPORT — Thirteen football players from Mississippi should hear their names called over the seven rounds of the NFL's three-day draft that begins Thursday and concludes on Saturday.

Alabama nose tackle Terrance Cody, a former Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College standout, likely will be the first Mississippian taken.

He could go as high as the 30th pick, but most draft analysts project Cody going in the second round.

Cody's weight issues dropped him from possibly being a first-round pick. He went from weighing 375 pounds to 355 pounds over the last several weeks.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Cody went in round one, but he's a solid second-rounder," draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. told ESPN radio last month.

Ole Miss has three players pegged as solid third-round picks. Offensive guard John Jerry, safety Kendrick Lewis and wide receiver Dexter McCluster.

If McCluster was taller than 5-foot-8, he would likely go among the top 20 selections. Scouts, however, love his big-play ability that should bode well on punt and kick returns. Jerry did not have a stellar senior campaign, but NFL teams are always in the market for 6-foot-6, 325-pound offensive linemen.

Mississippi State running back Anthony Dixon and linebacker Jamar Chaney are both considered third-to-fourth-round selections.

Bus Cook, who represents Dixon, believes the Conerly Trophy winner will be a draft-day steal. Cook also has quarterbacks Brett Favre and Jay Cutler among his clients of pro athletes.

"I think Dixon's a first-round talent," Cook said. "He'll go in the top three rounds. He's a big, strong and fast back who loves the game. He's worked real hard to get himself into shape."

Two other players have a shot to get picked over the weekend. South Florida linebacker Kion Wilson and LSU tight end Richard Dickson.

Wilson, who played two seasons at Pearl River Community College, should go between rounds three and five. He had a solid workout at the NFL combine in February.

Dickson, of Ocean Springs, could go between rounds six and seven. He could wind up at fullback in the pros.

Four other Ole Miss players should go between rounds five and seven. Linebacker Patrick Trahan, defensive end Greg Hardy, quarterback Jevon Snead and wide receiver Shay Hodge. Oregon running back LaGarrette Blount, who played two seasons at East Mississippi CC, is considered a fourth-round pick.