There has been no shortage of Bulldogs news happening this week. What have been the best stories of the week surrounding Mississippi State athletics? Dive in to find out!
Dak Prescott is Brand Ambassador for New Era Caps – Cole Patterson, Maroon and White Nation
The former Mississippi State quarterback continues to rise to national stardom. Dak signed an endorsement deal with the official NFL on-field cap to be brand ambassador for New Era Caps.
"Another day, another endorsement deal for Dak Prescott.The best player in Mississippi State history and the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has signed an endorsement deal with New Era caps, the official on-field cap of the National Football League. Since becoming the starting quarterback of America’s Team, Dak Prescott has signed deals with Beats by Dre, Campbell’s Chunky Soup, Pepsi, and Frito-Lays.Dak joins NFL stars Le’Veon Bell and Khalil Mack, Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, and fellow second-year player Sterling Shepard with his New Era deal."
Dak isn’t the only former Bulldog to see his name rise in stardom. Fletcher Cox was named to Forbes Top 100 Highest Paid Celebrities List. Cox makes more than Chance the Rapper, Katy Perry, and Kevin Hart. That can’t hurt in recruiting.
"Forbes released their Top 100 Highest Paid Celebrities List and former Mississippi State Bulldog Fletcher Cox made the list. The current Philadelphia Eagle sits at 93. Cox is ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, rapper Chance the Rapper, Katy Perry, and Carmelo Anthony. He is one of only three NFL players to make the list, too (Andrew Luck, 37 and Drew Brees, 48)."
Twins agree to terms with Mississippi State slugger Brent Rooker – Mike Berardino, Pioneer Press
Continuing with the ‘State to Stardom’ theme, Mississippi State slugger Brent Rooker was drafted in the first-round by the Minnesota Twins earlier this week.
"Rooker, the Southeastern Conference player of the year as a redshirt junior at Mississippi State, figures to receive slightly more than the slot figure of $1.935 million as the 35th overall pick in this week’s draft. Rooker, 22, had the second-highest average exit velocity in Division 1 baseball last season, hitting .387 with 23 home runs in 67 games.A 38th-round pick of the Twins last June, Rooker had to give the Twins permission to select him again. That came in the form of a letter to re-consent that he signed shortly after negotiations ended last summer."
USA Baseball Names 2017 Golden Spikes Award Finalists – GoldenSpikesAward.com
The accolades keep coming in. In addition to hearing his name called in the first-round, Brent Rooker was officially named one of four finalists for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award. Well deserving. The winner will be revealed on June 29 live on SportsCenter, according to the site.
"Brent Rooker was named first-team All-SEC in 2017 and is the first Mississippi State player to earn SEC Player of the Year honors in school history. He led the league in nine offensive categories and finished the regular season atop the national rankings in slugging percentage and doubles. Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball named him a first-team All-American after posting a .415 batting average, 28 doubles, 20 home runs, 73 RBIs, 18 stolen bases and a .873 slugging percentage in 2017. The Minnesota Twins selected Rooker in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft with the 35th overall pick."
Mississippi State names new broadcaster for football, basketball – Will Sammon, The Clarion-Ledger
Mississippi State announced that Neil Price will replace Jim Ellis on the basketball and football broadcast teams. Price comes to Starkville after 12 years calling Kentucky games.
"Mississippi State announced Friday morning that Neil Price is the university’s new play-by-play person for football and men’s basketball as Jim Ellis’ replacement. Price was a member of the Kentucky Wildcats’ UK Sports Network broadcast team for 12 years and served as the voice for Kentucky baseball and women’s basketball.Price’s first three years at Kentucky were John Cohen’s last three years, so the two had a preexisting relationship. At MSU, Price will also host the football and men’s basketball coaches’ shows and oversee various digital responsibilities, the school said."
Jake Mangum to stay at MSU; A’s draft Ryan Gridley – Will Sammon, The Clarion-Ledger
Sammon wrote up a nice piece on the MLB Draft. Jake Mangum turned down a late round offer from the Yankees and Gridley was drafted by the same organization that Kendall Gravemen has excelled in.
"Gridley earned All-SEC First Team honors after enjoying a breakout season under first-year head coach Andy Cannizaro. Gridley, who batted third in the lineup for most of the season, hit .327 with a .393 on-base percentage and .457 slugging percentage after starting in all 67 games in 2017. He hit six home runs, drove in 39 runs and stole seven bases.Gridley, who is viewed by scouts as a slick fielding shortstop, attributed the improved production at the plate to a bone chip he had surgically removed from his left knee in August. For two years before the surgery, Gridley said he was unable perform lifts with his legs such as deadlifts and squats. Gridley was back on the field in two months after the surgery and was cleared to strengthen his legs, which has helped him at the plate."
Next: Who is the SEC's best quarterback?
Miss basketball? Want to read about who makes up the roster heading into Howland’s third season in Starkville? Well, here’s your chance!
"Abdul Ado2016 4-star signeeAbdul Ado was a member of the star-studded 2016 recruiting class that ranked high nationally. The foreign big man was forced to sit out last season, but has been rumored to be impressing many behind close doors. Ado has all of the potential in the world to be a legitimate rim protector with his size and length. Ado is someone State fans should be excited to see."