The Ups and Downs of Dak Prescott’s Career at MSU

Dak Prescott’s career at MSU is now over. He’s widely considered the best player in program history, and he had quite a wild ride on and off the field.

When you consider all Dak went through during his college career, it’s pretty amazing he was able to maintain the consistency he achieved. That led him to every record a QB could have at Mississippi State. He’ll long be remembered for his contributions to the Bulldogs.

2012

Prescott was an early arrival at State, enrolling for spring practice in 2011. He red-shirted that fall and came into the 2012 season as Tyler Russell’s backup. That summer his mother was diagnosed with cancer.

During the 2012 season Prescott just entered the game periodically, mostly in running situations, but tallied four rushing and four passing touchdowns. As the 2013 season approached there was an undercurrent among some fans that he should be the one to play QB despite most believing it was Tyler Russell’s team.

2013

After Russell’s injury in the 2013 season opener, Dak proved he was ready to be the starting quarterback. Once Russell came back from his concussion, they were announced as co-QB1.

Because of Prescott’s presence on the team, more and more fans began to learn of his mother’s battle with cancer. Then suddenly, she passed away. The next week Dak played an incredible game at Texas A&M, but walked away with an injury that would sideline him for the next two games.

A sign of things to come, and perhaps the moment that will live in MSU fan’s memories forever, Prescott came off the bench in the 4th quarter after missing the equivalent of three full games to deliver a comeback win in the Egg Bowl.

2014

From there, expectations for Prescott would soar for the 2014 season. And he delivered. He was treated like a rock star in Starkville, but it never went to his head.

From contending for the Heisman to that team being the one that puts it all together for State, both happened…to a degree. Prescott re-wrote the record books and led MSU to heights never seen before.

Dak once again battled injury in early November – this time more like the skin kicker than the nerve damage in 2013. Rumors soared after he was limping against Kentucky and Arkansas, but it never amounted to much.

2015

Prescott was forced to sue makers of the “Dak Dynasty” shirts for using his likeness….which is against NCAA rules.

At Spring Break he and two teammates were badly beaten in a one-sided fight that was caught on video. He quietly moved on from the incident.

During the 2015 season he improved his passing game even more, and broke many of his own records from 2014 and shattered every career record MSU had on the books.

There’s no doubt Dak Prescott has been through a lot during his time at MSU. He’s gone from a freshman who came to campus without much fanfare to the first true ‘Dan Mullen quarterback’. He’s been treated like a king, and physically beaten in a parking lot. He’s lost his mother and dedicated so many touchdowns to her he’s ranked among the SEC’s greatest.

If there’s one thing we know, it’s that it was really fun to watch Dak play for Mississippi State. He also showed us a shining example of how to stay composed despite what’s working for and against you, and to keep working no matter how great others think you are. Good luck in the NFL, we’ve seen the battles you’ve been through and know you’ll do great.