2009 Football Roster Analysis l DB

Updated: 8.24.09
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Full Roster / Coaches

#	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown	Exp.	RS
4	Charles Mitchell	5-11	205	SO.	Clarksdale, Miss. (Clarksdale)
7	Wade Bonner	5-10	200	SO.	Mason, TN (Fayette Ware HS)
10	Cam Lawrence	6-2	210	TFR.	Coldwater, MS (Magnolia Heights HS)
18	Marcus Washington	5-10	190	SR.	Missouri City, Texas (Fort Bend Marshall)
20	Louis Watson	5-10	180	RFR.	Mobile, Ala. (St. Paul's Episcopal)
23	Marvin Bure	5-8	190	SO.	Vicksburg, Miss. (Vicksburg)
25	Corey Broomfield	5-10	165	RFR.	Palm Bay, Fla. (Bayside)
26	Damein Anderson	5-11	195	SO.	Canton, Miss. (Canton)
42	Zach Smith	5-11	200	JR.	Altoona, Ala. (Susan Moore)
47	Chris Cameron	5-10	180	RFR.	Pahokee, Fla. (Itawamba [Miss.] CC)
48	Emmanuel Gatling	6-0	210	JR.	McAllen, Texas (Rowe)

Total # of Players: 11
FR.	4	SO.	4	JR.	2	SR.	1

2009 Fall Positional Analysis

Graduation took away many key components of MSU's 2008 secondary, not to mention 40 starting calls and all five of the interceptions collected by defensive backs last season. No longer around are the likes of Derek Pegues, Keith Fitzhugh and De'Mon Glanton - all permanent fixtures the last three years - as well as starting cornerback.

But there are some familiar faces back in the fold - Marcus Washington, Zach Smith, Charles Mitchell and Damein Anderson.

Head coach Dan Mullen noted this spring could produce several position changes, and most of those could involve the secondary. Wade Bonner has already returned to defensive back and others could join him -Arceto Clark and Cam Lawrence. Lawrence opened the spring at quarterback while Clark is currently suspended and played wide receiver next year.

But those issues will be settled down the road.

2009 Fall Player Analysis

4 Charles MITCHELL

5-11

205

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

It didn't take long for Mitchell to get his feet wet in the Southeastern Conference, nor will it take him long to grab a starters' role at one of the safety positions. Mitchell, a member of The Champions Club, made tremendous strides this offseason and his added muscle and strength prove as much. Although just a true sophomore, it is easy to utter All-SEC in Mitchell's near future.

7 Wade BONNER

5-9

200

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Yet another secondary member of The Champions Club, Bonner is back where he belongs - in the secondary. Last year, Bonner was moved to tailback in order to add speed to State's backfield. The end result saw Bonne touching the ball a whopping eight times (7 rushes and 1 reception). Bonner is a natural at safety and should find his way into the rotation, and make things happen when a loose ball finds his hands.

18 Marcus WASHINGTON

5-10

195

SR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Washington is the lone senior in the secondary and is expected to start at one of the cornerback slots. Washington has quickly risen into a leadership role in the offseason and earned his status in The Champions Club. Although beaten at times by bigger receivers, Washington has steadily improved the last three seasons and gives the Bulldogs' defense a consistent performer on 'the island'. In the offseason and early spring, Washington has drawn his share of compliments from Dan Mullen and will also continue to be one of the leaders on special teams.

20 Louis WATSON

5-10

180

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Watson impressed his coaches in 2008, and impressed them enough that he almost played his true freshman season. But now a year stronger and faster, Watson will also figure into the rotation at cornerbacks. Praised for being very physical and quickness at the prep level, Watson's speed could also factor into the return game and the special teams' unit.

25 Corey BROOMFIELD

5-10

170

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Broomfield used his redshirt season to added much-needed weight, and enters spring practice at 165 pounds (was 155 pounds last season). Broomfield will also play a role on special teams, and if his weight continues to increase, so could his snaps at cornerback. Also needing experience at the SEC level, Broomfield did arrive on campus with solid cover skills and speed.

26 Damien ANDERSON

5-11

195

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

While short on experience, this redshirt sophomore is not short on talent or technique. Anderson is expected to push for a starting position and at the very least, play a major role in the cornerback rotation. Anderson played often down the homestretch in 2008 and should benefit from that SEC experience in the coming fall.

42 Zach SMITH

5-11

200

JR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

For the past two years, Smith has managed to receive his share of snaps despite playing in a secondary full of talented veterans. However, Smith probably should have played more last year, if only to give Derek Pegues and Keith Fitzhugh more rest. Also a member of The Champions Club, Smith will assume a leadership role and probably a starting role at safety, as well. Smith has the aggressiveness and a nose for the football, both of which gives the Bulldogs a steady force in the secondary.

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