Scholarship Breakdown...

[engie]

We are at 58 returning scholarship players.

Srs(11):
Cleveland(IF*)
Jung
Miles
Graham
D Grey
JT Grey
Durr
Cook
Harris
Rankin
Thomas

Jrs(18:
Tre Brown(RS)
Byrant
Peters
Green
Fitz
Dear
Rayford
Aeris Williams
Lee
Thomas
McLaurin
Calhoun
Cochran
Jenkins
Justin Johnson
Jackson
Harris
Hoyett

Sophs(17):
Kendell Jones
F Green
Simmons
Moon
Darryl Williams
Story
Washington
Lewis
Adams
Spencer
Smitherman
Stamps
Murphy
Mixon
Gibson
D Thomas
Couch

Fr(12):
Dantzler
Charles
Todd
Morgan
E Thompson
Reese
K Jones
Eiland
Parker
Roberson
Dontea Jones
Mitchell

Signed Incoming JRs(9):
Rivers
Abram
Pope
Autry
Champion
Sweat
Cole
Phillips
Landrews

Incoming FR on campus(4):
Thompson
Williams
Williams
Jackson

Signed Incoming FR(11):
Gay
Hill
Elliss
Dunning
Odom
Guidry
Suggs
Cooper
Richardson
Day
Collins

We are at 82 overall at this moment. It's almost assured a couple of the signees do not get in and there will probably be additional attrition in the spring as the pecking order begins to materialize.

This is why some of us freaked out at our numbers last year because undersigning last year made undersigning this year inevitable. We had to because of the senior class -- and the only way we could have overcome that was to sign a JUCO class on this year's level -- last year. On the bright side -- we self-imposed the same level of probation here as OM did for all of their level 1's** But last year is a dead horse now -- and I'm happy with this year.

Going forward -- we have a tiny senior class. Even with the undersigning and expected additional attrition, 2018 is going to be a small class. Probably 20-22 at the most. But we are going to be stocked to the gills with seniors for the 2018 run.

 

[engie]

Figured applicable to bump today now that it's been updated.

 

[mcdawg22]

So if no attrition occurs* with the JR class we will lose 27 players after 18.
* Huge if and no red shirts.

 

[engie]

Correct

 

[57stratdawg]

Good stuff. There was a lot of talk of attrition in december. I'm hoping that does down some now. I realize we have some guys on the roster that probably don't make an impact, but I don't want to see another 3 to 5 kids transfer this Spring.

 

[engie]

I'm afraid that we are going to see the additional attrition regardless. It will either have to happen this year or next year. Think we started last season somewhere around 79 or so and added a couple of walk-ons to scholly.

Regardless -- I like where we are going forward. We have a smaller freshman class this year -- probably with fewer redshirts -- and effectively the same number of contributors.

 

[TheStateUofMS]

Thanks for doing this. Good stuff. Are any of the incoming JCs eligible for red shirt? I would think so.

This is probably the most talented roster we've had under Mullen. I bet those rising Jrs have a Bama win in them.

 

[coach66]

Great stuff Engie, does Mullen need to learn how to process? Doesn't appear

He likes to do it.

 

[Bulldogg31]

As long as the 44 guys on the field can play we'll figure out the numbers with Juco's and walkons who earn special teams time.

 

[kired]

We've got a ton of DL classified as either JR or SO --- I'd think one of those JUCO will redshirt and maybe someone else transfer. It will also be interesting to see how the DBs play out. Assuming Cleveland returns we'll have 10 SR / JR on the roster to play 4 spots - compared to only about 9 LBs total. I wouldn't be surprised to see some position changes and / or one of those JUCOs redshirt.

Also would not surprise me to see one of our RBs transfer. Lot of guys to try and split the carries between - a couple are going to be left out.

 

[Drebin]

I'm not one to unrealistically sprout wool after a recruiting class, but I am really excited about how this team is going to look in 2018. There will be some downright studs on the defensive side of the ball. Our JCs will be Seniors, Gay and Lewis will be manning the middle, and you've got Simmons in there with a bunch of solid DLs around him. There's a lot of WR concern but I think we have some pretty good talent in the program there, and we will be strong at QB and RB. Need to get lucky on the OL, and it could be a really big year for us.

I haven't been this excited about a MSU defense in a long time. I think Grantham, those jucos, and a couple of pieces we already have in place are a perfect mix for a top 5 SEC unit. If you can combine that with what we can reasonably expect offensively, there's cause for optimism.