MSU Football News and Notes

Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back Anthony Dixon (26) cheers on the crowd during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Ralph Wilson Stadium. The Bills won 26-10. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Elijah Staley

Yesterday true freshman quarterback Elijah Staley tweeted that he was having surgery much to everyone’s surprise.

Then he said it was successful.

It turns out that Staley tweaked it through a combination of basketball and football practices. Coach Mullen is doubtful he’ll be ready in time for spring practice, so that means he won’t be playing basketball this year. Staley added this…

Staley is considered the future at the quarterback position for MSU. He will have to battle Nick Fitzgerald for those honors, however.

Dan Mullen’s Contract Extension

Mullen says his agent and Scott Stricklin are in negotiations, but he’s not sure how those are going since he has his hands full with football. He also added that Mississippi State is the only school he has been in contact with.

A couple of weeks ago Justin calculated that Mullen’s annual salary should probably be around $4 million.  It is currently around $2.7 million.

All-Americans

Congrats to Benardrick McKinney and Ben Beckwith who can forever call themselves All-Americans! The AP (that’s the big one) named McKinney to the 2nd team and Beckwith to the 3rd team.

At the beginning of the year McKinney’s name was certainly expected to be in such company, but not Ben’s. In fact, he wasn’t even expected to be the starter by a lot of people including myself. What a great year for him, and a great career!

Boobie in Buffalo

Anthony Dixon is having a great time playing for the Buffalo Bills. He’s getting more playing time than he did in San Francisco and the town seems to love him. It’s also interesting how the 49ers are out of playoff contention after being so successful with Boobie, now the Bills are in playoff contention with Boobie after being so bad for so long.

You have to love him – still sporting that MSU gear in the pros….true maroon!

 JT Gray

MSU is thin at safety for the Orange Bowl with Justin Cox still suspended and Kendrick Market injured, so true freshman JT Gray will play safety. It’s unclear whether this is a permanent move or just for this game.

Gray was recruited as a safety but moved to linebacker, and was so good his redshirt was pulled. He excelled on special teams and earned SEC All-Freshman team honors. It appears he is being groomed to take over for Matt Wills at WLB.

Juco Signing Day

Wednesday is Juco Signing Day. WR Donald Grey, LB Traver Jung and DE Johnathan Calvin are all expected to sign with State. The big targets are OL Martinas Rankin and DL Mourice Swain who will make their pledge on signing day. Rankin would be a huge get for MSU as he projects as an offensive tackle, and is the best in the country coming out of the juco ranks. With Blaine Clausell graduating a questionable depth returning, his presence on the 2015 team could be a huge coup.

Geoff Collins

If you’ve made it all the way down here and haven’t heard about Geoff Collins today, then here’s the news: he left to take the same position at Florida. The fallout:

• Who will be the new DC?
• Mullen responds to Collins departure

Finally, cowbells will be allowed at the Orange Bowl!