Mississippi State Bulldogs News and Notes: Dak Prescott, Brent Rooker succeeding

Despite football season being over 60 days away, there is still plenty of news surrounding Mississippi State. Here are the latest notes and links involving the Bulldogs:

• Dan Mullen viewed as the best coach in the SEC — outside of Saban, of course.

With the offseason rolling on and SEC Media Days quickly approaching, many in the media have decided to rank the best coaches in each conference in America. Athlon Sports is just the latest. Here is what Steven Lassan wrote on Mullen:

"19. Dan Mullen, Mississippi StateWhile Mississippi State is the SEC West’s toughest job, Mullen has carved out a consistent and successful stint in a brutal division. The Bulldogs are 61-42 under Mullen’s eight years and have earned seven bowl trips in that span. Additionally, Mississippi State’s 19 wins from 2014-15 were the most in a two-year stretch in program history. The Bulldogs also grabbed the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll for the first time in 2014, while earning the top spot in the first CFB playoff rankings that season. Last year’s six wins were the fewest since 2009, but 2016 was expected to be a transition year after quarterback Dak Prescott expired his eligibility. However, with 10 returning starters and the continued development of quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State will be a dark horse team to watch in the SEC this fall."

Our own Nathan Wright added onto the thought that Mullen is the second best coach in the conference. He asks if Dan Mullen has made Mississippi State the best developmental program in the country:

"When it comes to finding and developing raw talent, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has to be one of, if not the best, in the entire country. Mullen, heading in to his 9th season at Mississippi State, is the second longest tenured coach in the SEC. Again, only behind Alabama’s Nick Saban.Mississippi State doesn’t recruit on a national scale like many other programs in the SEC. Instead, the Bulldogs recruit local while occasionally branching out regionally to fill in spots of need. The philosophy Mullen uses has been a recipe for success and has served the Bulldogs well.Dan Mullen has turned former SEC West doormat Mississippi State into a program that has been one of the most consistent winners in the conference the last seven years. He’s made an effort to find guys that might have slipped through the cracks while being recruited. Yes, I know it may be somewhat cliche, but he finds guys with that “chip on their shoulder”."

• Brent Rooker continues his dominance at the plate.

After taking home both the SEC Player of the Year and the Triple Crown, Brent Rooker has not let up. The first player in Mississippi State history to win SEC Player of the Year honors on the diamond continues to shine in the Minor League.

He has a knack for hitting home runs. The Twins got a steal with the 35th overall selection of this past MLB Draft.

• Dak Prescott continues to see himself rise in national stardom. How is he handling it?

Dak has taken the NFL world by storm since leading the Dallas Cowboys to 13 wins and winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. With all the success, pressure and expectations are sure to follow. How is Dak handling it? Kate Hairopoulos of the Tribune News Service writes that he is focused on football:

"“We knew he was capable of doing what he was doing, but no one had any idea this would happen as fast as it did,” Jones said. “There were sponsors lining up for the opportunity to work with Dak. We got a great marketing guy, and he knew that he probably needed to wait, to see how things panned out before he decided to go with a particular sponsor. … A lot of these people tracked his performance in (training) camp, on and off the field. They kind of knew that he could be that guy. They were positioning themselves.”While Prescott is taking advantage of his new position — more high-profile announcements are on the horizon, Jones said — Prescott and those around him stress that his focus remains on football.“Football is the train,” Jones said. “All the carts behind are secondary. If he doesn’t take care of the train, there won’t be any cars behind him. The priority is to represent on the field, be the best football player that he can and everything else will take care of itself. That’s his motto, that’s what he feels even today. We’re not out looking for people to merge sponsorships with. They’re coming, and we’re going to merge him with the groups that fit best.”"

Wouldn’t expect anything other than that from Dak. While many are expecting a sophomore slump, Dak is staying focused to build on the success he has already had for America’s Team.

Also, make sure to continue voting for Dak Prescott for “Best Breakthrough Athlete”, Morgan William for “Best Play”, and the Women’s Hoops team for “Best Upset”!

Next: Is Mississippi State college football's best developmental program?

Vote for Dak here.

Vote for the women here.

Vote for Morgan William’s shot here.