2009 Football Roster Analysis l DL

Updated: 8.14.09
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Full Roster / Coaches

#	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown	Exp.	RS
36	Nick BELL	6-3	260	RFR.	Bessember, Ala. (Jess Lanier)
54	Trevor STIGERS	6-4	255	RFR.	Ridgeland, Miss. (Ridgeland)
57	Johnathan McKENZIE	6-4	260	TFR.	Starkville, Miss. (Starkville Academy)
60	Devin JONES	6-0	260	RFR.	Olive Branch, Miss. (Desoto Central)
65	Joshua JACKSON	6-2	300	SO.	Canton, Miss. (Canton)
69	Reggie ODOM	6-0	295	SR.	Deland, Fla. (Deland)
90	Pernell MCPHEE	6-3	275	JR.	Pahokee, Fla. (Itawamba [Miss.] CC)
91	Rodney PRINCE	6-0	265	SO.	Irondale, Ala. (Shades Valley)
92	Charles BURNS	6-1	280	SR.	Hattiesburg, Miss. (Hattiesburg)
93	Brandon COOPER	6-1	260	JR.	Missouri City, Texas (Fort Bend Marshall)
94	Fletcher COX	6-4	275	TFR.	Yazoo City, Miss. (Yazoo City HS)
95	Kyle LOVE	6-1	310	SR.	Fairburn, Ga. (North Clayton)
96	Shane McCARDELL	6-5	245	RFR.	Beaumont, Texas (West Brook)
98	LaMarcus WILLIAMS	6-0	270	JR.	Bastrop, La. (Bastrop)
99	Sean FERGUSON	6-3	245	SO.	Miami, Fla. (Norland)

Total # of Players: 15
FR.	6	SO.	3	JR.	3	SR.	3

2009 Pre-Spring Positional Analysis

The Bulldogs did lose several key components up front with the likes of Jessie Bowman, Cortez McCraney, Tim Bailey and Jimmie Holmes.

With with a solid group of redshirt freshmen, Mississippi State might actually have more depth in 2009 albeit unproven.

Kyle Love and Lamarcus Williams bring the most experience in the middle of the line along with Charles Burns, who has bulked up to 293 pounds. On the ends, there is also talent in Sean Ferguson and Brandon Cooper along with several promising redshirt freshmen.

MSU's defensive line also got a boost in the offseason with the return of Rodney Prince and the signing of juco All-American Pernell McPhee.

2009 Pre-Spring Player Analysis

36 Nick BELL

6-3

250

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Yet another talented defensive end who benefitted from a redshirt campaign in 2008. Bell has bulked up to 250 pounds and will make a push for snaps off the edge this fall. Bell also fought through minor injuries last season but showed promise on the practice field. If Bell continues to add muscle and strength, he could also slide inside in the future. But for now, his focus is earning SEC playing time and adding depth to the defensive ends.

54 Trevor STIGERS

6-4

255

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Had it not been arriving late on campus (NCAA Clearinghouse) and an early injury setback, many believed Stigers could have gotten his share of snaps as a true freshman. But it may be a blessing in disguise that Stigers didn't waste a year of eligibility. Stigers showed plenty of promise at the high school level and should battle for immediate playing time at defensive end. Stigers has the speed and size (255 pounds) to be a solid SEC end in the future, and could even bulk up to receive some snaps at tackle down the road.

60 Devin JONES

6-0

260

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Like other fellow classmates, Jones greatly benefitted from a redshirt campaign and is now in position to play a role on the line. With a little extra weight, Jones could slide inside along with his end duties. But for now, he gives the Bulldogs a promising future off the edge. Jones proved his determination in the offseason as the lone freshmen on the D-line to earn membership to The Champions Club. Along with Trevor Stigers, Jones was a man amongst boys at the prep level and gets his first opportunity to shine this spring.

65 Joshua JACKSON

6-2

300

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

The former all-state product could have used a redshirt season in 2008 but State's lack of bodies up front didn't allow that luxury. Jackson earned playing time late in the season, particularly after Jessie Bowman was lost for the season down the stretch. Jackson did not have the best an offseason and entered spring practice out of shape. With a tougher mindset and work ethic, Jackson could live up to the potential he displayed in high school. But those are obstacles Jackson will face this spring.

69 Reggie ODOM

6-0

295

SR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

Odom has been buried on the depth chart in his previous seasons but with a new coach, all of that forgotten. Without much depth in the middle, the 295-pound Odom has a shot at playing a role at tackle and has another opportunity to start fresh. Odom took advantage of his clean slate this offseason and was one of four D-linemen in The Champions Club.

90 Pernell McPHEE

6-3

275

JR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

Spring drills give this former All-American his first opportunity to suit up in the Maroon and White. But it shouldn't take long for McPhee to shoot up the depth chart. McPhee manhandled opposing offensive lines at the juco level and compiled impressive numbers, despite being double-teamed on every snap. At 6-3 and 275 pounds, McPhee could play a similiar role as former Bulldog lineman Cortez McCraney. With his speed and quickness, McPhee could start at defensive end and with a little added muscle, he could also slide inside from time to time.

91 Rodney PRINCE

6-0

265

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

After serving a one-year suspension, Prince is a nice addition to the 2009 roster of defensive linemen. Two years ago, Prince played his way into the rotation and has already proven he wants to make the most of his second chance. In the offseason, Prince made The Champions Club list and at 295 pounds, Prince should find his way into the tackles' rotation, if not a starting role.

92 Charles BURNS

6-1

275

SR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

At the end of the 2008 campaign, Burns was the most effective Bulldog linemen and earned four starts. And that was a solid boost from a guy that battled back from a pair of injury-plagued seasons. Due to his setbacks, Burns earned an extra year of eligibility and that bodes very well for the defensive line. Now up to 293 pounds, Burns can hold his own up front now that his shoulder problems are in the past. Burns' quickness could also land him snaps at defensive end, where he started his college career.

93 Brandon COOPER

6-1

255

JR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

For the past two years, Cooper has received his share of snaps (especially late in 2008) albeit in a reserve role. But that could change with a solid spring showing. Cooper got off on the right foot this offseason by earning membership to The Champions Club. Cooper's quickness and strength off the edge puts him in good position to earn a starting role for 2009, and definitely in the rotation at defensive end.

95 Kyle LOVE

6-1

310

SR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

When healthy, the 315-pound Love clogs up the middle and has proven to be a solid run-stopper. But Love has battled toe injuries the past two seasons and it limited the rising senior to just 13 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss in 2008. A healthy Love gives MSU a solid player in the middle of the line and his leadership and SEC experience are a welcomed sight.

96 Shane McCARDELL

6-5

240

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

At the end of the 2008 campaign, the former MSU coaching staff hinted that McCardell might move to outside linebacker. While that remains to be seen, what is obvious is McCardell's offseason work. McCardell added some 20 or so pounds and now plays at 240 pounds. McCardell will have ample opportunities in the spring, as far as the coaches determining his best position on the defensive side. And his speed - among the best of the ends - gives him that flexibility.

98 LaMarcus WILLIAMS

6-0

270

JR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

As a freshman (2007), Williams found his way on the field, not as easy task for true freshmen in the SEC. However, he dropped to 260 pounds by the end of the 2008 season. Now up to 270 pounds, Williams’ experience and talent alone should help the Bulldogs up front. Williams may have the best footwork among all the defensive linemen and with extra muscle added, could find his way into a starting role in 2009.

99 Sean FERGUSON

6-3

245

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Of State's deep list of defensive tackles and ends, no other made more progress, physically, in the offseason than Ferguson. Ferguson played defensive end last year at 220 pounds (and that might be a stretch) but enters spring practice at 245 pounds. Ferguson's work ethic speaks for itself and his quickness and new-found weight gain puts the rising sophomore in a good spot to earn a starting role at one of the end slots. Although overmatched at times last year, it's hard to put a price on the SEC experience he gained as a true freshman.

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