Mississippi State set for Offensive Insanity in 2015

In the not too distant past, Bulldog fans were accustomed to watching games that ended in 3-2 losses. At times, when I remember those days, it is still terrifying.

Then, in what seemed to be our darkest hour, I recall this up-and-coming offensive coordinator from Florida being announced as Mississippi State’s next head coach.

Fast forward to 2014…this was the year it would all finally come together for Coach Dan Mullen. He finally had his man at quarterback. The talented dual-threat guy was the perfect fit.

Led by Dak Prescott, Coach Mullen’s offense would go down as the best in school history and one of the best in SEC history. Prescott entered his name into Bulldog record books repeatedly.

He shattered almost every major statistical category while leading his team to its first ten win regular season and an Orange Bowl berth.

In 2015, Prescott will once again lead an offense that has the potential to surpass his 2014 performance.

The Bulldogs offense is flying under the radar, and that is something that truly astounds me. I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen a team led by the best quarterback and one of the best offenses in the SEC, be picked to finish in the lower portion of the league by most of the media, and even dead-last by a few.

I just can’t figure out what I’m missing. Sure, three starters on the offensive line have moved on, but the well is far from dry.

With the likes of Jamaal Clayborn, Devon Desper, Rufus Warren, Justin Malone and Justin Senior, the Bulldogs will have several offensive lineman that have either started, or played a considerable number of snaps. They’ve also added the number one JUCO tackle in the country in Martinas Rankin who, in the fall, will battle with Rufus Warren to see which will secure the spot at left tackle.

The staff seems to feel really good about this unit, and if there’s one thing that I’ve learned since Coach Mullen has arrived, it is that you can trust his staff when it comes to their appraisal of talent. This is the deepest and most athletically gifted unit that coach John Hevesy has had during his time at Mississippi State.

The offensive line may be worrisome to some Bulldog fans, but not me. I feel really good about this unit.

At running back we just might see a three-headed-monster and I do believe “monster” is the right word to describe this unit.

Ashton Shumpert was taking carries from Josh Robinson late last season. Shumpert is a physical running back and is a very good fit for Mullen’s high-powered physical offense.

The running game definitely doesn’t end with Shumpert. Both Dontavian Lee and Aeris Williams had a great spring, and I honestly wouldn’t be surprised to see either of them become the main back by mid season. All three backs have tremendous talent and all three will see a considerable amount of playing time.

Because of this talent level, had Josh Robinson returned for his final year of eligibility, he was not a guaranteed to start at running back in 2015 and his early departure was an indicator that he was aware of that reality.

The wide receiver position is loaded with explosive players and big play threats. It is a unit led by De’Runnya Wilson, Fred Ross, Joe Morrow, Fred Brown, Gabe Myles and Donald Gray, and they are as talented as any group in the SEC.

When you factor in true freshmen Malik Dear and Deddrick Thomas, who were able to get some valuable experience during the spring, and redshirt freshman Jesse Jackson, this potentially has the makings of the best receiving unit to ever play at Davis-Wade stadium.

The tight end position is, by far, the biggest mystery on the offensive side of the ball. Losing Malcolm Johnson will sting, but this group has the potential to step up, fill the void, and even possibly exceed last years production.

Going into the fall, it looks as if it is Gus Walley’s job to lose. Walley has remarkable hands, adequate speed and he gained valuable experience during the 2014 season.

Walley will have to battle BJ Hammond and Darrion Hutcherson to see who becomes Malcolm Johnson’s replacement.
The offense lost some experience from the 2014 team, but the 2015 offense is very deep and is more talented from top to bottom.

While the defense will likely go “psycho” on opposing offenses, this offense will attack opposing defenses with “insane” intensity.

#HailState