Every offseason, the NFL Combine is one of the most intriguing events for fans from across the country as they tune in to see how players from their favorite schools test in front of executives and scouts from across the NFL.
Though the 2023 Mississippi State football team wasn't loaded with NFL prospects, there will be a number of Bulldogs on hand at the combine later this month. In fact, four members of last year's team will get the chance to showcase their abilities in Indianapolis.
The Mississippi State football players headed to the 2024 NFL Combine
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson has earned an invite to the combine. The very productive warrior for the Bulldogs racked up a total of 377 career tackles. That included 35 tackles for loss and 21 sacks.
This past season, he was credited with a ridiculous 137 tackles (13 for loss) to go along with 10.0 sacks. However, despite his productivity, he has some work to do if he wants to hear his name called at the draft.
Watson will need to show that he has the athleticism to play in the NFL. Is he twitchy enough to make plays at the highest level? That's something he can start to prove at the combine.
Big defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy will be in Indy as well. The 6-foot-4, 300-pounder has the size to be an NFL regular.
He made 123 tackles and got to the QB 8.5 times in his Mississippi State career. That included a career-high 35 tackles and 2.5 sacks this past fall. At the combine, he'll have to show that he's got the lateral movement and the speed to pursue ball carriers in the NFL. However, scouts will love his size and wingspan.
Corner Decamerion Richardson has earned an invite to the combine. And given his size at 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, he's going to draw plenty of interest.
In four seasons at Mississippi State, Richardson registered 177 tackles. However, he didn't record an interception, something that scouts might be leery of.
Finally, MSU fans will get to see Lideatrick Griffin at the combine as well. In four years in Starkville, the Philadelphia, Mississippi, product collected 126 catches for 1,490 yards and nine touchdowns.
However, it might be the kick return game that gets Griffin an opportunity to play in the NFL. One of the NCAA's best return men, he averaged 30.4 yards per kickoff return as a Bulldog. However, the kickoff return is becoming less and less common in the NFL meaning Griffin will need to show that he's also a capable slot receiver if he wants an NFL team to take a shot on him.
When is the NFL Combine?
The NFL Combine will take place from February 27 - March 4 in Indianapolis Indiana. It will be broadcast on the NFL Network.
- Thursday, February 29th, 3 pm ET – Defensive Linemen, Linebackers
- Friday, March 1st, 3 pm ET – Defensive Backs, Tight Ends
- Saturday, March 2nd, 1 pm ET – Quarterbacks, Wide Receivers, Running Backs
- Sunday, March 3rd, 1 pm ET – Offensive Linemen