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After posting its first back-to-back seasons with at least nine wins, the Mississippi State program is heading in the right direction. But as with any program, the Bulldogs have their concerns.
Here are the five key questions facing the Bulldogs this offseason:
1. REPLACING DAK PRESCOTT
Mississippi State has the tall task of replacing the best player in the history of Mississippi State football. Not only do the Bulldogs have to find a new quarterback, but they must also identity the new face and leader of the program.
Freshman QB Nick Fitzgerald is the obvious choice to fill Prescott’s shoes. He played sparingly in 2015 with 14 pass attempts, 235 yards and three touchdowns. Freshman Elijah Staley and junior Damien Williams, who redshirted this season, will also be competing for the starting job.
Coach Dan Mullen could also go with new recruit Nick Tiano. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound quarterback from Chattanooga, Tenn., is a three-star recruit and the 32nd-ranked pro-style quarterback of the 2016 recruiting class according to 247 Sports.
There is always a chance Mullen uses a combination of these four quarterbacks.
2. DO THE BIG-PLAY RECEIVERS STAY?
Juniors Fred Ross and De’Runnya Wilson became the best wide receiver duo in Mississippi State history this season. Ross caught 88 passes for 1,007 yards and five TDs. His 88 catches ranks first and his 1,007 yards ranks second in school history. Meanwhile, Wilson finished with 60 receptions, 918 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Neither has announced whether he will return or move on to the NFL. With Prescott leaving, it wouldn’t be a surprise for both to cash in on fantastic seasons.
If they do end up staying, though, it would help Prescott’s successor. Ross and Wilson could break multiple school records in 2016.
3. WHO’S THE RB?
Junior starter Brandon Holloway returns, but Prescott led the team in rushing. Holloway rushed for 413 yards on 92 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. He didn’t rush for any TDs, but did catch five TD passes, including two in the Belk Bowl victory.
Is that enough to remain the starting running back? Three-star recruit Alec Murphy could emerge in the rotation.
Junior Ashton Shumpert and freshman Aeris Williams, who averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 40 attempts, will be in the mix as well.
4. OFFENSIVE PHILOSOPHY CHANGE?
Mullen made it no secret that he didn’t care about offensive balance in 2015. Prescott threw for 3,793 and including his rushing yards, he accounted for more than 70 percent of the team’s offensive yards.
Mississippi State attempted 500 passes compared to just 427 rushes — the first time the Bulldogs had more passes than rushes under Mullen. Will he change the philosophy back to a predominantly running team in 2016?
That will depend on the answers to the other questions above. If Ross and Wilson come back, Mullen probably may continue to stress the passing game with an inexperienced quarterback.
5. 2016 RECRUITING?
Considering the preseason expectations, Mississippi State had another stellar season. But the Bulldogs didn’t make national headlines it did in 2014 when they reached No. 1 in the polls.
Behind the incredible 2014 season, Mississippi State brought in the 18th-best recruiting class in the country and eighth-best in the SEC last year.
For the 2016 class, the Bulldogs haven’t done as well. Mississippi State has the 40th-ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to 247 Sports. Among SEC teams, the Bulldogs are 12th.
Can Mississippi State add quality recruits before national signing day? The Bulldogs must to keep up in the ultra-competitive SEC West.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
