Mississippi State Football

While at Florida, Dan Mullen made a name for himself by helping develop a young quarterback named Tim Tebow into a Heisman Trophy winner and one of the most talked-about players in recent memory.

Six years into his Mississippi State tenure, he might have finally found himself a reasonable facsimile—and the Bulldogs look like SEC and national contenders as a result.

Saturday’s 48-31 demolition of No. 6 Texas A&M only confirmed what those who have been watching closely know: Junior quarterback Dak Prescott is the real deal and an impressive dual-threat in the mode of Tebow, who helped Florida to two BCS National Championships during his Florida career.

He's perhaps even better, if you ask NFL general managers. 

Excited to see Miss St’s Dak Prescott vs Texas A&M. GM told me: “He’s just like Tim Tebow, but he can actually throw. Interesting prospect.”

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 4, 2014

Prescott completed 19 of 25 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, adding 77 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. He even went wide and caught a pass in the Texas A&M red zone.

“Dak Prescott walks right into the Heisman discussion!” ESPN’s Dave Pasch exulted as Prescott scored an easy 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. “If you didn’t know who Dak Prescott was coming into his afternoon, you certainly now know he’s one of the best players in college football.”

Prescott is an athletic quarterback who is a physical, tough runner, and at 6’2”, 235 pounds, he is built to punish opposing tacklers, much like Tebow was.

Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott has 5 TDs (3 rushing, 2 passing). This performance elevates him into a top-five Heisman Trophy candidate.

— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) October 4, 2014

He has also shown steady improvement this season. A year ago, Prescott threw for 1,940 yards with 10 touchdowns against seven interceptions, completing 58.4 percent of his passes and averaging 7.3 yards per attempt.

After Saturday, he has thrown for 1,223 yards with 13 touchdowns against two interceptions, completing 63.6 percent of his passes. His average per attempt is up significantly as well, at 10.1 yards.

Most impressive was how he backed up his breakout effort in MSU’s 34-29 upset of LSU, which saw him account for 373 yards of total offense and three total touchdowns.

Michael Bonner of The (Jackson) Clarion-Ledger says Prescott's Heisman credentials compare favorably with past winners.

"He's going to get a lot more attention now with this performance," Mullen told The Clarion-Ledger. "But as I've told everybody, that's what we expect from him."

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs defense showed its mettle as well. The Aggies offense, led by sophomore quarterback Kenny Hill, entered as one of the nation’s most explosive attacks, averaging 51.2 points per game (second nationally) and 401.2 yards passing per game (fifth nationally).

But Mississippi State’s brutish, tough defensive line consistently harassed Hill. He threw for 365 yards and four scores but was intercepted three times and looked nothing like the quarterback who set an A&M single-game passing record in his first start at South Carolina. Prescott and Mississippi State had the dominant offense, scoring almost at will against a young A&M defense.

 There was no doubt that Mississippi State looked like one of the SEC’s best teams.

Mississippi State up 18...Florida being shut out...if I'm Dan Mullen's agent, I'm touching base with Jeremy Foley tonight

— Rich Cirminiello (@RichCirminiello) October 4, 2014

While Mullen’s former team struggles, his current squad looks a lot like the Gators of old: a nasty defense and a multifaceted offense led by a quarterback who can beat you in a number of different ways.

“Finally, the Bulldogs have a quarterback you can win because of, not in spite of,” ESPN sideline reporter Tom Luginbill said late in the telecast.

The road ahead isn’t easy. No. 2 Auburn comes to Starkville next week, and a trip to No. 7 Alabama looms Nov. 15, as well as the traditional Egg Bowl season finale against No. 3 Ole Miss on Nov. 29. The Rebels stunned Alabama later Saturday, meaning the Egg Bowl could be a Top 10 matchup.

When Auburn visits, it will bring an improved defense as the Bulldogs' third consecutive Top 10 opponent, and the spotlight will be bigger too with a visit from ESPN's College GameDay program.

But this much is clear: Mississippi State has turned a corner to become an SEC contender, and it has Prescott and Mullen’s construction to thank.

In a battle of unbeaten SEC powers featuring top-tier quarterbacks, No. 12 Mississippi State's Dak Prescott showed his experience advantage by outperforming No. 6 Texas A&M's Kenny Hill on the way to a shocking 48-31 upset.

As a result, Prescott firmly entrenches his name in the Heisman conversation thanks to not only his dual-threat tendencies that produce video game-esque numbers, but for his propensity for big performances when it matters most.

A mere weeks removed from going to Baton Rouge and posting 373 total yards and three scores to upend then-ranked No. 8 LSU, the junior signal-caller was at it again Saturday, compiling yet another gaudy stat line:

	C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT	CARRIES	YDS	AVG	TD
Dak Prescott	19/25	259	10.4	2	0	23	77	3.3	3

Thanks to the performance, Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin looks something akin to a prophet after praising Prescott before the game.

"I think Dak Prescott is the player that [Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen] has been wanting," Sumlin said, per ESPN.com's Sam Khan Jr.. "[He’s] the complete dual-threat quarterback to make this thing go."

Even for those who have yet to take the Bulldogs seriously, it is now impossible to ignore Prescott's Heisman candidacy. Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer puts it best:

[whispers into stranger’s ear] “Dak Prescott might be the Heisman favorite.” [get confused look]

— Adam Kramer (@KegsnEggs) October 4, 2014

Going into the weekend, there were few surefire candidates anyway outside of Georgia back Todd Gurley, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota and Alabama wideout Amari Cooper. But with Mariota's team already possessing a mark in the loss column, Prescott may very well stand alone in terms of importance to his team at this juncture.

In fact, Prescott's heroics to date are already drawing comparisons to one of the collegiate game's all-time greats, as noted by Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com:

Mr. @Todd_Blackledge was the first I heard use the Tim Tebow comparison for Dak Prescott. And it fits really, really well IMO

— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) October 4, 2014

That comparison makes more sense when one understands that Prescott models his approach after Tim Tebow, as illustrated by the SEC Network:

Dak Prescott told Tim Tebow he wears #15 because of Tebow. #SECNation #DakAttack pic.twitter.com/qzLiy4eB1u

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 4, 2014

His play on the national stage continues to catch the eye of those at the professional level, too.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller sees a quarterback with plenty of pro-ready tools in need of some refinement:

Interesting to see different opinions of Dak Prescott on my time line right now. Lot of talent there, but he's still raw with accuracy

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 4, 2014

Whether it was a bruising touchdown run from a short distance in the second quarter, a superb 51-yard touchdown connection with Fred Brown in the third quarter or an 11-yard scoring scamper to put the nail in the coffin permanently in the final frame, Prescott's all-around game while taking care of the football has the eye of the nation.

It is important to remember that, while known as an offensive force, the Texas A&M defense entered Saturday ranked as the No. 13 overall unit in the nation, allowing just 15.0 points per game on average—the season highlight being an ability to hold South Carolina to all of 67 rushing yards.

Prescott passed that number by 10 yards and added a trio of scores for good measure. 

While the notion that Prescott is nothing more than an early season flash in the pan is beginning to seriously fade, his Heisman resume and future prospects will be seriously tested again next weekend when No. 5 Auburn comes to town. Circle Nov. 15 on those calendars, too, as the Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa for a date against the Crimson Tide that looms large, too.

For now, though, Prescott has made himself known in the mind of the national consciousness after taking down another perennial SEC force. Only a week remains before he must do it again.

At this point, does anyone want to doubt an experienced quarterback who accounts for 19 total touchdowns and two interceptions with two wins over top-10 opposition?

Statistics and info courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified.

Flash in the pan or staying power?

That will be what's on the line on Saturday afternoon in Starkville, Mississippi, for the No. 12 Mississippi State Bulldogs, who host the No. 6 Texas A&M Aggies in one of three enormous Week 6 games in the SEC West.

After a 34-29 upset of LSU two weeks ago, this is the game that can solidify the Bulldogs not only as a competitive team in the nation's toughest division but a contender for the division title.

They'll prove it on Saturday afternoon against the Aggies.

Cracks emerged last weekend for Texas A&M in the overtime win over Arkansas, particularly in its rush defense, which gave 285 yards on the ground to the potent Hogs rushing attack.

Sure, cornerback Deshazor Everett was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week with 16 tackles, but when a corner plays that much of a factor in the running game, it isn't a good thing. A&M's linebackers were caught out of position often and missed several tackles, which was a problem that plagued the Aggies last season.

While its offense looks much different, Mississippi State can exploit Texas A&M's defense in a similar way that Arkansas did. Even without center Dillon Day—who was suspended this week for stomping on two LSU players last week—the Bulldogs offensive line is fast, physical and is a big reason why Mississippi State's multidimensional rushing attack is so successful.

Running back Josh Robinson is third in the SEC in rushing yards per game (121.3), and quarterback Dak Prescott leads all SEC quarterbacks with 94.5 rushing yards per game.

"You’ve got a completely different attack," Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin said in quotes emailed by the university. "Spread attacks get lumped into the same group and that’s not necessarily the case. There’s no doubt these guys like to run the ball from this attack. The quarterback is part of the run game."

Look for the offense to try and replicate the success that Arkansas had last week and force Texas A&M into a shootout.

If it happens, though, Aggies quarterback Kenny Hill might not be able to keep up.

Lighting up South Carolina is nice. Doing the same in a big win over Arkansas is, too. Neither of those defenses come anywhere close to comparing to the one Mississippi State will trot out at Davis-Wade Stadium on Saturday.

The defensive line rotates up to nine or 10 players for a full four quarters, generates relentless pressure and the back end of that defense, while statistically not up to par (it's skewed by one bad performance), is loaded with talented cornerbacks like Jamerson Love and Taveze Calhoun.

Stat	Value	SEC Rank
Total Defense	401.5 YPG	10
Rushing Defense	82.5 YPG	2
Interceptions	6	3
3rd-Down Conversions	25.8%	3
Red-Zone Score Percentage	44.4%	1

"Jamerson is a real speed player for us," Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen said during last week's teleconference. "Where [former Bulldogs] Johnthan [Banks] and [Darius] Slay also had some size. I think he's up there with those guys as that type of player. He's still improving, and there are some things he can get better at, but he certainly has the talent to play at the next level."

Everything is coming together for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have a dynamic, veteran-laden offense combined with a defense that's loaded with depth and big-game experience.

This will not only help the Bulldogs top the Aggies in a game in which Mississippi State has gone from a slight home underdog to a 2.5-point favorite, according to OddsShark.com, but will help them stay in the mix for the SEC West title.

Does that mean the Bulldogs will win it?

It'll still be an uphill battle. A road trip to Alabama in mid-November will be a tall order, and they'll have to stay hot next week when the defending SEC champion Auburn Tigers roll into town.

They already have played a big role in who will win the division with their road win in Death Valley two weeks ago and will repeat the feat with a big win over Texas A&M on Saturday.

 The LSU game was no fluke.

Mississippi State has staying power, and the team will prove it Saturday afternoon in Starkville.

Barrett Sallee is the Lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

Two days after a program-defining win at LSU, Mississippi State landed a program-boosting commitment from 4-star defensive tackle Fletcher Adams, one of the most productive defensive players in the 2015 class.

The 6'3", 260-pound lineman chose the Bulldogs over Florida and Ole Miss, narrowing his list and deciding on the Bulldogs last week before announcing his commitment Monday morning.

"It just came down to the wire and I needed to do what's best for me," Adams told The Clarion-Ledger. "I grew up a [Mississippi] State Fan. Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss are the dream schools but you just have to do what's best for you. That was the main thing."

Adams is the No. 184 overall prospect and the No. 17 defensive tackle in the 2015 class, per the 247Sports composite rankings. He also checks in as the No. 5 player in the state of Mississippi, which is important given the Bulldogs' previous commitments from Jamal Peters and Malik Dear, the Nos. 1 and 4 in-state players, respectively.

Ole Miss made waves on the recruiting trail in 2012, and nothing it has done thus far in 2014 would seem to repel recruits, but Dan Mullen's team has owned the current cycle in the Magnolia State:

	Overall Rank	Position Rank	College
1. S Jamal Peters	46	3	Mississippi State
2. OG Javon Patterson	51	2	–
3. ILB Leo Lewis	67	1	–
4. ATH Malik Dear	138	11	Mississippi State
5. DT Fletcher Adams	184	17	Mississippi State
6. ATH Willie Hibler	305	27	Ole Miss
7. OLB Timothy Washington	313	24	Mississippi State
8. OT Tommy Champion	381	45	Mississippi State
9. WR Dontea Jones	438	51	Mississippi State
10. SDE Gabriel Campbell	479	23	–

Adams is undersized for the tackle position, but he maximizes his impact with a high motor, impressive burst off the line and a nose for the football. According to ESPN Scouts Inc. (subscription required), he is a "strong, aggressive player...(who) could be a top-level prospect in time if he adds bulk and maintains quickness."

Whatever Adams lacks in ideal size—and no matter your opinion on "tweeners"—he makes up for with production. According to Bleacher Report's Tyler Donohue, he has 370 tackles (!!!) since 2011:

Mississippi State lands commitment from top in-state DL Fletcher Adams (@FletcherAdams43), per @CourtneyRCronin. 370 tackles since 2011.

— Tyler Donohue (@TDsTake) September 22, 2014

With Adams' commitment, Mississippi State moves up from No. 13 to No. 12 on the 247Sports team rankings—passing, of all teams, LSU. Its 28 total commitments are tied with South Carolina for the most in the country.

The rich are getting richer in the SEC West, which is already (by far) the nation's best division and is only getting better.

It Adams develops into anything like the last undersized "Fletcher" who played in Starkville, this defense might be scary good.

And soon.

Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen struggled for a signature win throughout the first few years of his tenure as the Bulldogs' head coach. He entered Saturday night's matchup with LSU with a 2-22 record against ranked opponents, with both of those wins coming against teams that were average at best (Ole Miss 2009, Florida 2010).

That third win against ranked competition resonated like a clap of thunder that was a little too close for comfort.

The Bulldogs manhandled then-No. 8 LSU in a 34-29 victory in Death Valley on Saturday night, notching the biggest win of his Mississippi State career. If the previous wins over ranked opponents were considered "signature wins," this one was written in ink, paint and etched in stone.

Don't be fooled by the score. Mississippi State treated LSU like a cupcake in a paycheck game for the majority of the night, and then survived a late charge led mostly by LSU's backups.

Mullen says the guys in the MSU locker room don't feel like this is some huge upset

— Steve Robertson (@ScoutSteveR) September 21, 2014

This begs the question, what does the future hold for Mullen? 

It should include more taxes being paid to the city of Starkville, Mississippi, because the Bulldogs and Mullen are a perfect fit.

I'll admit, I was wrong about Mullen.

Up until late last season, he had done a lot to raise the floor of the program but hadn't really done much to impact the ceiling. Sure, four straight bowl games was nice, but there wasn't much to indicate the possibility of upward mobility for the program.

There is now.

Mississippi State went into one of the most hostile environments in college football, played his brand of football and flat out whipped the typically-physical Tigers. 

There have been suitors for Mullen in the past. 

He was linked to the Penn State job in late 2011, according to Sports Illustrated, and Miami was turned off by Mullen before it hired Al Golden after the 2010 season, according to The Miami Herald (via SportsByBrooks.com). 

What's done is done, though, and Mullen's future looks incredibly bright in Starkville.

He made $2.7 million in 2013, according to the USA Today coaching salary database, one spot behind Florida head coach Will Muschamp.

Why does that matter?

If Mullen is going to be linked to any job after this season, it'll likely be Florida. He won two national championships as the offensive coordinator of the Gators in 2006 and 2008 and is familiar with the recruiting territory. Plus, Muschamp isn't doing his hot seat any favors by combining a suddenly putrid defense with a consistently woeful offense.

Would the Florida job really be worth leaving Starkville for? At this point, no.

The pay would be roughly the same, and if Florida started tossing cash at Mullen's front door, Mississippi State would have no problem matching it now that the SEC has what amounts to its own version of a mint known as the "SEC Network."

Sure, the immediate upside would be great. After all, Florida has a recruiting base that is second to none in college football. What Florida lacks, though, is job stability. 

Mullen has now established that in Starkville, which is a rarity for the coaching profession. 

Saturday night proved that while the journey takes a little while longer at a program like Mississippi State, the potential still exists to be great—even in the SEC West. Mullen already walked down that path, built the program the way he wanted to and proved that it works.

There's no reason to leave now. It's just getting good.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

From a gambling standpoint, Mississippi State's 34-29 upset of LSU Saturday night in Death Valley wasn't the most shocking upset of the season. After all, the Tigers were between a seven- and nine-point favorite when toe met leather, according to OddsShark.com.

The way Mississippi State won, however, made it the most shocking upset of the 2014 season.

There was no fluke, lucky bounce or reverse Death Valley voodoo working for the Bulldogs in this one—although LSU tried to make one happen late coming off the deck to make this game appear closer on the scoreboard than it was in real life.

Mississippi State lined up, punched LSU in the mouth and when it got back up, punched it again.

And again...and again.

Even when LSU's players show up at the complex tomorrow, they'll still be feeling the physical beatdown Dan Mullen's crew gave them in Baton Rouge.

A dominating performance by Mississippi State is going to come down to a hail mary

— Ben Kercheval (@BenKercheval) September 21, 2014

The Bulldogs beat the Tigers up in the trenches like it was a directional Louisiana school, not an LSU program whose hallmark is physical, smashmouth football.

Running back Josh Robinson had 197 yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Dak Prescott added 105 yards and a touchdown on the ground in addition to his 268 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air. The 570 total yards gained by Mississippi State set a record that LSU head coach Les Miles has to be disappointed by.

570 yards is the most allowed by an LSU team under Les Miles.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 21, 2014

It's an upset that shakes up the entire college football world.

LSU didn't look anything like a team that could compete in the rugged SEC West, while Mississippi State looked not only capable of impacting the outcome, but winning it itself.

Led by three-time defending SEC defensive lineman of the week Preston Smith, the Bulldogs roll nine or 10 players along their defensive line, including all-around freak Chris Jones.

The fresh bodies allow the Bulldogs to keep pressure on for a full four quarters, which was a big reason LSU quarterback Anthony Jennings was sacked three times and running for his life more times than not.

Dan Mullen at MSU:
2-22 vs top 25 teams.
0'fer vs LSU and Alabama, w/average margin of defeat - 20 points.#BadNightInBR

— Fletcher Mackel (@FletcherWDSU) September 21, 2014

That wasn't a fluke, it was a statement. A statement that this isn't the same Mississippi State team that had a 2-22 record against top-25 teams under Dan Mullen. A statement that Mississippi State isn't afraid to go on the road and win playing its own brand of football.

That's scary.

Other upsets this year were impressive, like Virginia Tech's win on the road at Ohio State and Boston College running it down USC's throat. Neither of those resonated like this one will.

This is a perpetual doormat imposing its will on a traditional power on the road in the toughest division in college football.

Statement made.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report, as well as a co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays, 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208.

Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of cfbstats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports. Follow Barrett on Twitter @BarrettSallee.

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have gotten off to a perfect 3-0 start this season, but they will be tested for the first time on Saturday when they visit an LSU Tigers team that has beaten them 14 straight times.

LSU has covered the spread in the last four meetings between the SEC schools, including a 59-26 rout in 2013 as a seven-point road favorite.

Point Spread: The Tigers opened as seven-point favorites at Tiger Stadium, but the spread was bet to nearly 10 points by Wednesday. The total sits at roughly 49.5.

Odds Shark Computer Prediction: LSU 48, Mississippi State 41

Why the Mississippi State Bulldogs Can Cover the Spread

This is a better Mississippi State team than last year, one that has covered the spread twice in three games and is led by a dangerous dual-threat quarterback in Dak Prescott.

In last season’s meeting, Prescott rushed for 103 yards and one touchdown on 12 carries while sharing the signal-calling responsibilities with then-senior Tyler Russell.

The 6'2", 230-pound junior has thrown for more than 200 yards and rushed for over 100 yards in each of the last two games for the Bulldogs, who have covered their last four games in conference play along with seven of their past eight overall.

Why the LSU Tigers Can Cover the Spread

The Tigers have blanked their last two opponents by a combined score of 87-0 to improve to 3-0 against the spread this season. The latest win was 31-0 against Louisiana-Monroe, with heralded freshman running back Leonard Fournette totaling 52 yards and one touchdown on 10 carries and one touchdown.

Fournette now has 144 yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries in the last two games and figures to get a heavier workload as the season progresses.

LSU is also 3-1 ATS in its last four games as a home favorite and could take advantage of Mississippi State’s recent woes away from home. The Bulldogs are just 2-6 ATS in their past eight as road underdogs.

Smart Pick

Mississippi State may be better, but the Tigers defense looks outstanding through three games. LSU has not surrendered one point since the 12:24 mark of the third quarter of the team’s 28-24 season-opening win against Wisconsin—a span of nearly 10 quarters.

The Bulldogs have struggled to score in their last two visits to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, scoring just three touchdowns and one field goal.

In the last meeting there, the Tigers sealed a 37-17 victory with a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:13 remaining.

This is one of those rivalries where one team is in the other’s head before the first snap. Look for LSU to shut down Mississippi State again in another double-digit home win.

Trends:

• The total has gone under in eight of Mississippi State's last 11 games.
• LSU is 6-2 ATS in its last eight games when playing at home against Mississippi State.

All point spreads and lines courtesy of Odds Shark, all quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates.

In what is a sad moment for college football and America in general, Mississippi State has announced that one of the greatest broadcasters of our time or any time, Jack Cristil, has passed away at the age of 88.

Jack will be remembered as the iron man behind the microphone—636 total football games, which accounts for over 60 percent of the total games in Mississippi State history.

MSU athletic director Scott Stricklin took to Twitter to address the sad news.

Very sad to share this: Mississippi State lost it’s Voice tonight, Jack Cristil. #HailState #WrapItInMaroonAndWhite http://t.co/erQU8oAc8v

— Scott Stricklin (@stricklinMSU) September 8, 2014

MSU President Mark E. Keenum also offered words about Cristil in the school's announcement: 

As a lifelong Bulldog, my heart is heavy at learning of the passing of legendary MSU broadcaster Jack Cristil. Jack's deep love of this university was always evident in his words and in his deeds. He was a tireless ambassador for Mississippi State and he brought great honor and distinction to our university as one of the most revered radio announcers in American history.

Funeral arrangements weren't immediately known, but all communication about such events will come from the MSU Office of Public Affairs.

Fan groups are calling for respects to be paid at the family's commemorative brick.

If you wish to pay your respects to Jack Cristil in person, his brick is found in section I-2. pic.twitter.com/AOyAbKEFvA

— M&WN (@mandwnation) September 8, 2014

Cristil was a recipient of the Ronald Reagan Lifetime Achievement Award in 1992, given by the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters, and won the Mississippi Broadcaster of the Year Award a record 21 times. Perhaps no one in any sport will ever be as well-known for who they called games for as much as Cristil was with Mississippi State football.

In addition to his football games, Cristil called roughly 55 percent of all of the school's basketball games. He did football for 58 seasons and basketball for 54.

Fittingly, Cristil's last football game called was one of the most memorable in recent times, as it was the 52-14 Gator Bowl win over the Michigan Wolverines in 2011.

Follow Dan Irwin on Twitter @irwinsports or on Facebook.

When Justin Johnson picked up the phone July 18 and called Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen, the Alabama wide receiver didn't realize he was kicking off one of the most memorable days in this Bulldogs era.

"I was ready to make my commitment official and really looked forward to that conversation," Johnson said. "It felt great to become a Bulldog, but the day definitely got better from there."

By the end of the day, Mullen and his staff took part in seven similar conversations. The team fielded eight total verbal pledges that Friday, including 2016 in-state offensive lineman Dee Nalls.

"They just kept coming," Johnson said. "All I could say is, 'Wow, this is big.' I'm glad I got to be a part of that."

The standout from reigning national public school champion Hoover High School joined a class that now features 27 commits and rates 13th nationally in 247Sports' composite team rankings. He was commitment No. 1 of a spectacular one-day haul that featured three 4-star recruits, including top-rated in-state prospect Jamal Peters.

“It’s a very exciting time to be around this program," said Missouri running back Alec Murphy, who also committed July 18. "Mississippi State fans are pumped up to see the team expanding and improving. Days like that Friday are a big step toward that."

Mullen, who took over the program in 2008 after serving as an assistant under Urban Meyer for nearly a decade, has provided plenty of reasons for Bulldogs followers to feel optimistic about the program's direction.

He is the first Mississippi State coach to deliver the team to four consecutive bowl game appearances, winning three of those matchups, and appears primed to secure a top-25 recruiting class for the third time in four years.

Efforts during the 2015 cycle have resulted in five 4-star commits, already matching Mississippi State's highest total during his tenure. Still, Mullen sounds just as excited about the class' depth as he does about its headliners.

"There are some guys in this class who I think are going to be some real sleepers," he told Edward Aschoff of ESPN.com. "Guys who when we go watch their film, we go, 'Wow, this guy is special,' and then you go to the recruiting rankings and he's not ranked very high. There are some of those guys in this class."

Murphy is one of those guys. His commitment may have been overshadowed by 4-star Alabama running back Nick Gibson on July 18, but they'll spend the coming years competing for carries.

The 6'1", 222-pound playmaker rushed for 1,973 and 22 touchdowns in 2013. He sees himself as part of a group that's capable of elevating Mississippi State's offensive attack.

“The defense is already pretty stacked, and I think the players on offense in this class can create more balance, which is so important," Murphy said. "If we can take things to another level on one side of the ball, it challenges the other side to get better. That's what you want."

Murphy and Gibson bring talent to the backfield, while Johnson is just one of multiple impact receivers. Junior college standout Donald Gray and speedster Malik Dear are 4-star weapons, while 6'4" prospect Dontea Jones presents a big downfield target.

Jones and Dear are among 14 in-state recruits committed to the Bulldogs.

247Sports reporter JC Shurburtt sees an upward trend at both Mississippi State and Ole Miss due to talent on home turf:

The Magnolia State is a top 20 NFL talent producer overall (40 first round picks since 2005) and annually is top five per capita. Combine that with Mullen and staff’s ability to find diamonds in the rough and Freeze and company being able to go national for elite players, and suddenly both programs are in position.

Of course, it also helps to find athletes beyond your backyard.

Texas quarterback Chason Virgil remains rather raw as a passer but has the makings of a promising playmaker. He turned down offers from Florida, Clemson, Arizona State and Auburn for a chance to lead the Bulldogs attack.

"With the guys we have coming in, I think things are going to come together pretty fast," Johnson said. "We're bringing both size and speed to the offense. The defense can already hold its own, and now things are going to click for the whole team. It's going to happen quickly."

Mullen also aims to help the defense improve. Top-ranked inside linebacker Leo Lewis (Brookhaven, Mississippi) is a top priority in that department.

The 4-star recruit decommitted from Alabama on, you guessed it, July 18. He made that decision while attending Big Dawg camp at Mississippi State, providing a strong indication of which program he may focus on next.

Johnson said he'll be working on 5-star defensive tackle Daron Payne, another Birmingham area prospect.

The dominant run-stuffer was on campus earlier this month. He received a sales pitch from Shades Valley High School teammate and Mississippi State commit Keith Mixon.

"We talked about it when he was down at Big Dawg," Mixon told John Talty of AL.com. "He said he really liked it and that it was one of the best camps he's been to so far this summer. That made me really feel good. I think we've probably got a chance to get him."

Payne, once thought to be headed to either Auburn or Alabama, could end up in Starkville.

“We're definitely overlooked in the SEC," Johnson said. "That’s going to change, though. We’re all on the same page and committed to making this a special team. People are going to look at the Dawgs differently."

The challenge will come as signing day approaches, when other teams attempt to poach Mississippi State commits. That should provide a pivotal test for Mullen and company, though, it's ultimately up to the players to keep things from coming unglued late.

“If we can keep this class together and continue to add talented guys, there’s a bright future ahead for all of us," Murphy said. “It’s all about maintaining communication with the coaching staff and other commits. Keeping your word is also a huge deal. My biggest thing about committing anywhere was treating it like I was signing a contract or getting married. I hope other players feel the same.” 

All quotes obtained firsthand by B/R national recruiting writer Tyler Donohue unless otherwise noted.

Recruit information and ratings courtesy of 247Sports unless otherwise noted.

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Mississippi State secured a commitment from one of the top playmakers in the 2015 class in 4-star athlete Malik Dear.

Paul Jones of 247Sports provided news of the announcement:

Despite being just 5'9", Dear has a lot of strength at 217 pounds and uses it to break tackles with consistency. However, he is even better when he avoids contact thanks to his elite speed and agility.

According to ESPN, Dear ran a 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and a 20-yard shuttle in 4.28 seconds, ranking near the best in the class in each category.

With good strength, elite athleticism and the ability to find the end zone on virtually any play, the Mississippi native is clearly one of the top offensive players in his class. He is rated as the No. 10 athlete and the No. 4 player in his state at any position, according to 247 Sports' composite rankings. He is also considered the No. 130 overall prospect in 2015.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vETv16Um158

The only question is what position he will play at the next level. At Murrah, he lined up as a running back and wide receiver while also spending time as a Wildcat quarterback. Amazingly, he found ways to rack up yards and touchdowns at each spot.

He has been training as a wide receiver at offseason camps, but Barton Simmons of 247Sports sees a move in the future. He explained that Dear "has the body and frame of a stocky, powerful running back. We think that's what he likely evolves into. Though he never made a major splash at wide receiver on Sunday, his skill set is still unique."

On the other hand, it is hard to count out his ability to make plays as a slot receiver. Here is a look at him using his physicality to separate himself at Rivals Camp:

No matter what position he plays, he should have a strong career with the Bulldogs after choosing them over a bunch of other interested schools. Dear had a choice of virtually any school in the SEC after impressing everyone with his production throughout high school.

Still, he sent a message to those that did not have him on their list:

With Dear's strength and playmaking ability, you can be certain that the coaching staff will do its best to get him on the field as soon as possible. While he might not have a starting spot cut out for him, he can contribute in multiple ways on offense as long as he gets a chance.

His skill set also indicates that he could be successful on special teams as an elite returner on both kickoffs and punts.

No matter where he is used, you can be certain that his new coaches and fans will be happy with the young man's decision once he suits up for the first time.

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