5 Mississippi State Players Auburn Missed on in Recruiting
Mississippi State aims to keep momentum moving forward against another heralded SEC opponent Saturday when reigning conference champion Auburn comes to town.The Bulldogs are enjoying a historically successful season, feature a Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback and can take things to another level by sending the Tigers home with a loss.
Head coach Dan Mullen has a reputation for finding under-the-radar recruits who surprise people with their collegiate success. Several of those athletes are from Alabama and had opportunities to attend Auburn while others simply never received offers from the Tigers.
Here's a look at five such Bulldogs who should have some extra incentive in this highly anticipated matchup.
3-Star WR De'Runnya Wilson (Birmingham, Alabama)
Class: 2013
247Sports' Composite Rankings: No. 1,277 overall; No. 183 among receivers
High School Success
De'Runnya Wilson was under the radar for many colleges upon his return to the football field in 2012. The 6'5", 225-pound prospect spent two seasons away from the game before breaking out as a top target during his senior year at Wenonah High School.
He caught 31 passes for 682 yards and seven scores, leading the team to a 10-win campaign. Wilson was also a basketball standout, averaging a double-double during his final season.
Despite just one year of varsity football experience, he received scholarship offers from the likes of Louisville and Tennessee.
Recruiting Relationship with Auburn
Auburn witnessed enough in limited action to extend Wilson an offer six weeks shy of national signing day. The Tigers hosted him on campus a month later but eventually lost out to Mississippi State.
His reasoning for the decision may surprise you.
"I grew up an Alabama fan," Wilson told Creg Stephenson of AL.com. "Being recruited by Auburn was big for me coming out of high school. But I grew up disliking Auburn, so it wasn't a school I was going to be able to go to."
How He Could Help Beat Auburn
Despite his status as a raw prospect, Wilson quickly carved out a role in 2013. He caught 26 passes for 351 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman.
Auburn is surely accounting for him in Saturday's game plan following his success against Texas A&M last weekend. Wilson torched the Aggies for 72 yards and a touchdowns.
He leads Mississippi State with five receiving scores and should be a top target again Saturday.
4-Star LB Beniquez Brown (Florence, Alabama)
Class: 2012
247Sports' Composite Rankings: No. 235 overall: No. 25 outside linebacker
High School Success
Beniquez Brown was a force on both sides of the ball for Florence High School, earning accolades as a linebacker and running back. He racked up 134 tackles and two interceptions as a senior, adding 1,200 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground.
The 6'1", 235-pound prospect picked up three all-state honors during the course of his career and established a new school scoring record. Brown's offer sheet featured Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and several others.
Recruiting Relationship with Auburn
Brown maintained significant contact with Auburn during the course of his recruitment process and visited multiple games. The Tigers seemed to be a clear leader over Alabama if he'd opted to remain in his home state.
How He Could Help Beat Auburn
Brown is an enforcer at the second level of a stingy Bulldogs defense. He ranks second on the team with 25 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, and adds a sack to those totals.
His patience and ability to execute along the perimeter will be crucial as Mississippi State attempts to slow down a versatile and fast-paced Auburn attack that implements its backfield in a variety of ways.
3-Star WR Malcolm Johnson (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Class: 2010
247Sports' Composite Rankings: No. 475 overall; No. 63 among receivers
High School Success
The Northridge High School standout displayed a skill set that suggested he could contribute at various positions in college. Malcolm Johnson has confirmed those sentiments in Starkille, evolving into a dynamic tight end during the course of his career.
He turned heads by earning MVP honors at Rivals.com camps in Birmingham and Atlanta. Johnson tallied 598 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches as a senior, establishing career-best totals in both categories.
Recruiting Relationship with Auburn
Though he shares a hometown with the Crimson Tide, Johnson received limited interest from SEC squads. Auburn, like Alabama, opted to not pursue him with much diligence.
How He Could Help Beat Auburn
He's enjoyed a steady rise in production during his collegiate career, highlighted by a 30-catch effort last fall. Johnson has two touchdown receptions this season, and one more score would tie his best single-season total at Mississippi State.
Named to the preseason 2014 Mackey Award Watch List, Johnson is a significant threat in the red zone and can exploit space in the intermediate zone.
3-Star TE Darrion Hutcherson (Dadeville, Alabama)
Class: 2012
247Sports' Composite Rankings: No. 442 overall; No. 16 among tight ends
High School Success
The 6'7", 260-pound specimen initially intended to pursue a collegiate career in basketball, but it didn't take long for him to notice how coveted his size and skills are on the football field. Darrion Hutcherson devoted himself to the sport and caught 31 passes for 550 yards and six scores as a senior.
His physical frame also intrigued at defensive end, but he was ultimately targeted at tight end. Viewed as a high-ceiling prospect, offers poured in from Alabama, Oklahoma State, Louisville and others.
Recruiting Relationship with Auburn
The Tigers showed strong interest in Hutcherson, particularly upon the arrival of head coach Gus Malzahn. He committed to Auburn less than two weeks after receiving an offer.
However, he failed to qualify for enrollment, and his perspective began to change.
"I was at junior college when I realized Auburn doesn't even use tight ends. ... They don't even use tight ends like me," Hutcherson told Michael Bonner of the Montgomery Advertiser.
He developed into one of the nation's top JUCO tight ends and enrolled at Mississippi State this summer.
How He Could Help Beat Auburn
Though he remains somewhat buried on the Bulldogs depth chart behind Malcolm Johnson and Brandon Hill, the big man has earned playing time. Don't be shocked to see him command a target or two in limited action Saturday.
The door will swing open for expanded playing time in 2015.
3-Star OL Blaine Clausell (Mobile, Alabama)
Class: 2010
247Sports' Composite Rankings: No. 1,944 overall; No. 140 among offensive tackles
High School Success
The massive lineman was a late bloomer on the football field and didn't see extensive game action until his sophomore season at Baker High School. His 6'7", 315-pound frame offered plenty of promise as a college prospect, but significant concerns about his fundamental ceiling sent many teams searching elsewhere for help at the position.
Blaine Clausell claimed first-team all-area honors as a senior.
Recruiting Relationship with Auburn
Auburn may have been internally intrigued but seemed to sit this one out during the recruiting cycle. His rawness and origins (no SEC prospect had ever emerged at Baker) kept Clausell off the grid for several regional teams.
How He Could Help Beat Auburn
Mississippi State found a diamond in the rough, who is a three-year starter for the Bulldogs. He will anchor the line at left tackle this Saturday against an Auburn defensive front hellbent on hurting quarterback Dak Prescott's Heisman Trophy campaign.
Clausell's performance could dictate if Mississippi State sustains offensive momentum in yet another big-time SEC showdown.
Recruit ratings courtesy of 247Sports.
Mississippi player information and background courtesy of HailState.com.