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Dan Mullen: Top 5 Recruiting Misses

By Justin Strawn

Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen watches a highlight video during the senior night program before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium Mississippi won 38-27.. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen watches a highlight video during the senior night program before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium Mississippi won 38-27.. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) signals the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) signals the fourth quarter in the NFC Championship football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

#1 Cam Newton

During the 2009 Egg Bowl, coveted JUCO quarterback Cam Newton was pictured ringing a cowbell as the Bulldogs were pulling the upset over a ranked ole Miss Rebel team. Newton was supposed to be a lock for the Bulldogs as Newton was familiar with Dan Mullen’s offense from their days together at Florida.

So when JUCO signing day came just a few weeks later, Mississippi State fans were shocked to learn Newton had signed with Auburn and not Dan Mullen and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. When news later broke Cam Newton’s father had tried to secure the services of his son for $180,000 dollars during the 2010 season, Mississippi State fans went from shocked to outraged.

Newton was never punished for his father’s actions. He was declared ineligible very late in the season, but an emergency appeal restored his eligibility shortly after the initial decision.

Mississippi State went 9-4 in 2010 after a victory over Michigan in the Gator Bowl. But some thought the Bulldogs would have had a chance to play for a national championship had Cam Newton not gone to Auburn. There’s no way to know for sure, but it certainly is interesting to think about.

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