16. Richie Brown | Long Beach, MS (Long Beach HS)
Size: 6’2 225
Primary Position: Mike Linebacker
Secondary Position: Will Linebacker
Consensus Rating: 3.25
2011 Stats: 209 Tkls. 11 TFL 3 Sks. 1 FF
Strengths
+ Great Speed
+ Production
+ Intelligent
Weaknesses
- Not A Big Hitter
- Size
- Overall Athleticism
Player Breakdown: Brown could have easily been ranked a slot higher, but I ranked him here because he will be playing the Mike Linebacker. Brown is one of the fastest linebackers I’ve seen Mississippi State sign in a few years. He not only has good burst, but the Long Beach native doesn’t lose speed at the top end. Brown had a whopping 209 tackles as a senior in high school. Brown does have weaknesses. He doesn’t fit that classic “stopper” mold that Mike Linebackers fit. The talented linebacker must add a little weight to play Mike linebacker at the college level and improve his lateral quickness. Brown redshirts unless the coaching staff elects to use him on special teams. It would seem like the smart choice, considering he and Beniquez Brown don’t figure in the top five or six in the linebacker rotation. I think he gets into the mix in 2013 and starts in the middle after Ferlando Bohanna and Christian Holmes graduate.
Immediate Role: Redshirt
Max Potential: Three-Year Starting Linebacker
17a. Deonte Evans | McComb, MS (McComb HS)
Size: 5’11 185
Primary Position: Free Safety
Secondary Position: Running Back, Strong Safety
Consensus Rating: 2.75
2011 Stats:
Strengths
+ Great Speed
+ Sound Tackler
+ Explosion Through Hole
Weaknesses
- Agility
- Coverage Skills
Player Breakdown: Evans is just a pure football player. He can play safety or running back. He is projected to play safety at Mississippi State; I feel running back is a good spot for him as well. Evans has great speed, being clocked at 4.36 over the summer. He can break a big run on offense, then lay a big lick on defense. He does need to work on his agility and his coverage skills to be successful at the college level. Evans could be a good special teams performer in 2012, but he likely redshirts. He will battle Kivon Coman for the third string spot at Free Safety in 2013, and then compete with Coman for the starting job in 2014. I think they both provide a good option at free safety.
Immediate Role: Redshirt
Max Potential: Three-Year Starter Free Safety
17b. A.J. Jefferson | Summit, MS (North Pike HS)
Size: 6’2 250
Primary Position: Weakside Defensive End
Secondary Position: Strongside End, Three-Technique Defensive Tackle
Consensus Rating: 3.25
2011 Stats: 110 Tkls. 19 TFL 12 Sks.
Strengths
+ Motor
+ Explosion
+ Production
Weaknesses
- Size
- Raw
Player Breakdown: Jefferson surprised many by committing and then signing with Mississippi State. Jefferson has a great motor and is very explosive off of the line. He produced as a senior, with 110 tackles and 12 sacks. He is a little undersized, possibly only standing 6’1 and the Summit, Mississippi native must develop better technique. Jefferson redshirts in 2012 in my opinion, and then competes with Torrey Bell, John Harris, and Ryan Brown for a spot at one of the defensive end positions. Long-term, he has the potential to be a starter, but I don’t know if it will happen. He will be a part of the rotation throughout his career.
Immediate Role: Redshirt
Max Potential: Three-Year Starter Defensive End
17c. Kivon Coman | Florence, Alabama (Florence HS)
Size: 6’1 185
Primary Position: Free Safety
Secondary Position: Cornerback
Consensus Rating: 2.75
2011 Stats: 87 Tkls. 4 Int. 6 FF 6 PB
Strengths
+Closing Speed
+ Play Recognition
+ Motivation
Weaknesses
- Initial Explosion
- Size
Player Breakdown: Coman may end up proving me wrong for rating him this low. He has already vowed to make Alabama and Auburn pay for not recruiting him and I might be a victim of his as well. Coman’s best trait is his ability to diagnose a play and then close. He brings the wood when he gets there. The underrated safety caused six fumbles—impressive for a 185 pound player. I consider his motivation to prove doubters wrong a plus. It could help him exceed most expectations. He will need to add 15-20 pounds and become a bit more explosive—if he hopes to become a top-notch safety. Coman redshirts in 2012, but I feel he competes with Deonte Evans, as I said above. They both should handle the free safety position after Dennis Thames and Nickoe Whitley graduate.
Immediate Role: Redshirt
Max Potential: Three-Year Starter Free Safety
20. Xavier Grindle | Columbia, MS (East Marion HS)
Size: 5’11 190
Primary Position: Cornerback
Secondary Position: Running Back, H-Back, Return Specialist
Consensus Rating: 3.0
2011 Stats: 240-2,103 Rush Yards 18 Rush TD
Strengths
+ Great Top End Speed
+ Terrific Feet
+ Vision
Weaknesses
- Burst
- Power
Player Breakdown: Grindle would be one of the top 10 prospects in Bulldogs classes in the past, but I rated him lower because I don’t feel Will Redmond and Cedric Jiles can be beaten out at cornerback. He can also play running back and could play receiver if needed there. Grindle has excellent top-end speed, and might have the best footwork of all the 2012 signees. He also has good vision at the running back position. Grindle, if he plays the running back, will need to run with more power and burst through the hole. Grindle redshirts in 2012, in my opinion. He will eventually find a place on special teams and get in the rotation somewhere.
Immediate Role: Redshirt
Max Potential: Two-Year Starter Cornerback or Rotation Running Back
February 7, 2012
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