Here's a scenario: Let's say we win the natty, Dak does win the Heisman, and he grades out as a high second-rounder. I'm sure Mullen would want him back but would also give him his blessing if he threw his hat into the draft. If you were Mullen (given the circumstances mentioned earlier) what would your pitch be to Dak to stay at MSU for his senior year?
Looking ahead: Dak
- Thread starter Blue Ridge Dawg
- Start date
There is no pitch. He SHOULD go and we should be thrilled for him to.
There is no debate. And a Heisman trophy winning, NC QB with Dak's skill set would never slip to the 2nd round. Go ask EJ Manuel, Jack Locker and the various other 1st rounders that have the same or worse talent set than Dak.
There is no debate. And a Heisman trophy winning, NC QB with Dak's skill set would never slip to the 2nd round. Go ask EJ Manuel, Jack Locker and the various other 1st rounders that have the same or worse talent set than Dak.
If that scenario ...
Played out, Mullen shakes his hand and watches him head off to the NFL, knowing Dak has been instrumental in fulfilling Dan's "I came to Mississippi State to win Championships" predictions.
I write a check to MSU for $100 for the 'Dak Statue Fund' and another $100 for the future 'Dan Mullen' Statue fund.
Every billboard company in the US of A is placing bids for the soon to be erected "MSU National Championship" and "This is OUR country" billboards.
Played out, Mullen shakes his hand and watches him head off to the NFL, knowing Dak has been instrumental in fulfilling Dan's "I came to Mississippi State to win Championships" predictions.
I write a check to MSU for $100 for the 'Dak Statue Fund' and another $100 for the future 'Dan Mullen' Statue fund.
Every billboard company in the US of A is placing bids for the soon to be erected "MSU National Championship" and "This is OUR country" billboards.
Wouldn't be one. High five and a good luck.
I'm sure Mullen would joke around about it, but there really isn't anything you could say to make somebody come back if they wanted to go. It would be all up to Dak at that point. Wish him good luck. Say thanks for leaving the place better than when you entered it. Ask him to be fruitful and multiply and have little Dak's in maroon 15 jerseys asap.
I'm sure Mullen would joke around about it, but there really isn't anything you could say to make somebody come back if they wanted to go. It would be all up to Dak at that point. Wish him good luck. Say thanks for leaving the place better than when you entered it. Ask him to be fruitful and multiply and have little Dak's in maroon 15 jerseys asap.
Come back if you really enjoy college football. We'll get you set up with a good insurance policy so you won't have to worry about injury. Otherwise, thanks and good luck.
Pretty much all there is to say.
I'll play on the other side of the fence
If Dak is projected as a 2nd rounder I would counsel him to consider staying. First, I would talk to him about all the other running QBs who were given high projections who ultimately saw their status slide during the draft. The bottom line is that pro football does not value a running QB because they simply do not last. The average career for a NFL running back is 2.57 years while the average career for a QB is 4.44 years. Very few people can stand up to the pounding that a runner takes in the NFL and teams don't want to waste QB money on a guy that is only going to be there 2 years. This devalues the running QB in the NFL and increases the value of a pocket passer. What is really valuable though is a mobile pass first QB, someone who can avoid even the hits the pocket passers take.
Dak is good, but he is still seen as a Tim Tebow type running QB. This will ultimately hurt his draft status right now. But if he takes another year and makes improvements to his passing game then he can move the narrative more toward the mobile pass first QB. The second round is not guaranteed money and he would be a bad showing in spring away from heading back to Louisiana as just another kid who took the early shot and didn't make it. One more year under Dan's instruction and he could easily push his draft status up into the first round.
Now, if he gets a first round grade, then he needs to go, no doubt. If Dan decides to leave MSU (which I doubt will happen), he needs to go even with a 2nd round grade. If he feels like his body can't handle another SEC season, go even with the 2nd round grade and take your shot. Ultimately though, I think the comparisons to Tim Tebow aren't helping him out here and I don't think NFL teams want to live with another RGIII situation where your money is sitting on the bench or in the training room most of the season. It's going to be tough this year unless he starts putting up some gaudy passing stats.
If Dak is projected as a 2nd rounder I would counsel him to consider staying. First, I would talk to him about all the other running QBs who were given high projections who ultimately saw their status slide during the draft. The bottom line is that pro football does not value a running QB because they simply do not last. The average career for a NFL running back is 2.57 years while the average career for a QB is 4.44 years. Very few people can stand up to the pounding that a runner takes in the NFL and teams don't want to waste QB money on a guy that is only going to be there 2 years. This devalues the running QB in the NFL and increases the value of a pocket passer. What is really valuable though is a mobile pass first QB, someone who can avoid even the hits the pocket passers take.
Dak is good, but he is still seen as a Tim Tebow type running QB. This will ultimately hurt his draft status right now. But if he takes another year and makes improvements to his passing game then he can move the narrative more toward the mobile pass first QB. The second round is not guaranteed money and he would be a bad showing in spring away from heading back to Louisiana as just another kid who took the early shot and didn't make it. One more year under Dan's instruction and he could easily push his draft status up into the first round.
Now, if he gets a first round grade, then he needs to go, no doubt. If Dan decides to leave MSU (which I doubt will happen), he needs to go even with a 2nd round grade. If he feels like his body can't handle another SEC season, go even with the 2nd round grade and take your shot. Ultimately though, I think the comparisons to Tim Tebow aren't helping him out here and I don't think NFL teams want to live with another RGIII situation where your money is sitting on the bench or in the training room most of the season. It's going to be tough this year unless he starts putting up some gaudy passing stats.