What we Learned about Mississippi State Football on National Signing Day

Brown and Mullen would have been a volatile mix of egos

Having said all that I about how Mullen recruits, it became clear after A.J. Brown committed to Ole Miss he and Dan Mullen would not have worked. Brown said he didn’t feel wanted. He also said in a tweet, which he later deleted, that he could count on one hand the number of times Dan Mullen visited him.

A.J. Brown was the second highest rated player in the state. Based on his comments, Brown is a prime example of why some of the more highly regarded players don’t want to play for Mullen.

When Mullen recruits, Mullen isn’t trying to convince a player he is wanted. Mullen will tell the player all the ways in which the Mississippi State football program will make the player better. It’s a strong sell to a three star prospect that might not have guarantees of playing at other schools in the SEC. To a four star, borderline five star, prospect like Brown, it won’t always work.

I firmly believe Dan Mullen wanted a player of A.J. Brown’s caliber on his team. But if Brown needed to feel wanted, he was never going to get that from Mullen.

Losing Brown hurt, and Dan Mullen had egg on his face until Simmons signed later that morning. And State fans were justifiably upset when he made his decision. But if Brown had stayed in Starkville, I’m positive the two would have butted heads.

Dan Mullen said in his press conference the Mississippi State football program wasn’t for every player. Even though his talent is obvious, A.J. Brown never would have been happy playing under Dan Mullen.

Next: Being selective was a necessity