Can Mississippi State land Shaq Wiggins?

Former Louisville defensive back and current Tennessee pledge was on a visit in Starkville Sunday evening through Monday. What could Wiggins bring to the defense?

In mid March, Louisville cornerback Shaq Wiggins announced that he would be transferring from the Cardinals’ program. Because he has already earned his degree, he will have full eligibility in 2017 as a graduate transfer.

As many are aware, this will not be his first time transferring from a major power five program. The former 4 star recruit out of Tyrone, Georgia, began his career at the University of Georgia, playing under none other than current Mississippi State defensive coordinator Todd Grantham.

Wiggins arrived at Georgia as a true freshman and received significant playing time, leading the team in interceptions and even receiving an honorable mention for All-SEC. He then followed Grantham to Louisville, sitting out his 2014 season before earning a starting spot for the Cards in 2015.

In his full year starting, he played a consistent role for Grantham, racking up 30 tackles and two more interceptions, earning himself an All-ACC honorable mention award. His 2016 campaign was plagued with injury that kept him off of the field for over half the season.

Controversy was ignited after Wiggins announced his intent to transfer from Louisville when Bobby Petrino, Louisville’s head coach, blocked any possibility for the defensive back to transfer to five schools, a list which initially included Mississippi State. Many believed this was in direct result of Todd Grantham’s hire, but after a short period of time the transfer block was revoked and the Dawgs were back in the mix.

Just over a month after his announcement to part ways with Louisville, Wiggins announced his commitment to Tennessee via Twitter. It was believed he could compete for an immediate starting spot after the departure of Cam Sutton, the Vols’ number one corner in 2016.

https://twitter.com/ShaqWiggins6/status/857268229839998980

This came as a disappointment to many Mississippi State fans who believed that Wiggins would be a positive addition to the Dawgs secondary. But the newest development, broken first by Will Sammon of the Clarion-Ledger, suggests there could be a shakeup in the third and final chapter in the Shaq Wiggins trilogy.

Reports say that Wiggins arrived in Starkville Sunday, and plans to stay until at least this evening. Pending the effectiveness of this visit, it would not be totally unreasonable to predict a flip in the graduate transfer’s commitment.

This could be a very positive addition for Grantham’s new look defense. In 2016 the Bulldogs finished 120th in the nation in pass defense, allowing over 280 yards a game through the air. Wiggins may be considered under-sized at 5 foot 9, 175 pounds, but he brings quickness and good technique to the table.

More from Maroon and White Nation

• Meeting the Opponent: Week 4 – South Carolina Gamecocks
• Mississippi State football vs LSU: The good, bad, and ugly
• M&WN Staff – Week 3 SEC Picks and Best Bets
• Mississippi State football film study: Why did MSU’s defense fail vs. LSU?
• The Wednesday Wrap: Maybe Mississippi State Football Coach Zach Arnett shouldn’t do it his way

He would likely compete for a rotational, potentially exclusive spot with veterans Tolando Cleveland (who is coming off an ACL tear in 2016), Lashard Durr, red shirt freshman Cam Dantzler, and Jamal Peters, among other defensive backs. His presence could be beneficial for the instillation of Grantham’s new style of defense, as this would be his third team he would be playing for him. He could also aid in the development of some of the younger more inexperienced DBs.

Although this is not a done deal, his presence in Starkville is positive, and hopefully within the next few days Todd Grantham and Dan Mullen will be receiving some good news.