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Re-Grading Dan Mullen’s 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Recruiting Classes

By Josh Barnhill

Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen runs onto the field with his players 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 runs onto the field with his players 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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Nov 28, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen runs onto the field with his players 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 runs onto the field with his players before the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium. Mississippi won 38-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

National Signing Day is Wednesday, but before we dive into the 2016 crop of Mississippi State Bulldogs, let’s take a look back at some past Dan Mullen signing classes. 

I’ve chosen Mullen’s first four recruiting classes: 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. Everyone from the 2009, 2010 and 2011 classes have come and gone so they can be fully graded out. The 2012 class does feature a handful of players who will be 5th year seniors in 2016, but we pretty much know how things turned out with that group based on their time at MSU already and the players who have already exited stage left.

Here’s how I’ll go about this “re-grading” process:

1.0 – what percentage of signees were starters for at least one year on campus: 30% of grade.

The purpose of this is to determine how many players were valuable contributors, or was the class just a bunch of special teams players. Also, did half the class transfer out or quit? Those things are important when evaluating the success of a class. 80-100% = A, 60-80% = B, 40-60% = C, 20-40% = D, 0-20% = F.

2.0 – what was MSU’s combined record the four years after they signed: 50% of grade.

This carries the most weight because it’s what’s most important. 38 or more wins = A, 32-38 wins = B, 26-32 = C, 20-26 = D, less than 20 = F. 

3.0 – how many players were drafted into the NFL: 20% of grade.

This will carry the least amount of significance because we are talking about college, but the NFL is important because it helps future recruiting and also shows how many players in the class were elite. 5 or more = A, 3-4 = B, 2 = C, 1 = D, 0 = F

To have something to grade it against, I’ll come up with a letter grade based on the national ranking the class had at the time. Since it’s the SEC I’m going to be tough: top 10 = A, 11-20 = B, 21-30 = C, 31-40 = D, 41 or above = F

Now, on to the 2009 class….

Next: Re-grading the 2009 class

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