2009 Football Roster Analysis l TE

Updated: 8.14.09
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Full Roster / Coaches

#	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown	Exp.	RS
32	Marcus Green	6-1	235	SO.	Scooba, MS (Kemper County HS)
48	Jordan Blankenship	6-4	200	TFR.	Hattiesburg, MS (Oak Grove HS)
85	Brandon Henderson	6-2	245	JR.	Fayetteville, GA (Fayette Ct HS)
82	Thomas Webb	6-5	255	JR.	Starkville, MS (Southern Miss)
84	Austin Wilbanks	6-2	255	SR.	Forest, MS (Mississippi College)
88	Kendrick Cook	6-4	250	SO.	Attalla, AL (Etowah HS)

Total # of Players: 5
FR.	1	SO.	2	JR.	2	SR.	0

2009 Post-Spring Positional Analysis

Mississippi State still has a work in progress at the Tight End position. In Dan Mullen’s version of the spread offense the TE is a three pronged player that must be able to put his hand on the ground in a traditional set, catch passes from the slot and serve as a H-back out of the backfield.

Currently the Bulldogs don’t have one guy that can do all three things, leaving them to use a rotation of Kendrick Cook, Brandon Henderson, Thomas Webb, and Marcus Green.

Green and Henderson were limited due to injuries during the spring so their full potential is not yet known, but Cook was a true bright spot with his ability to make plays in the passing game. This should be a fun battle to watch durin gthe fall.

2009 Post-Spring Player Analysis

32 Marcus GREEN

6-1

235

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Year	Catches	Yards	AVGYds	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
2008	1	50	50	0
Career	1	50	50	0

When healthy Marcus Green is expected to be a dominate player for Mississippi State . His speed and size is a rare combination that should make him hard to defend. However, staying healthy has been an issue for Green.

To his credit he was able to fight through the rehab of his February surgery to get on the practice field and serve as a slot receiver, but Coach Sallach is looking forward to the fall to see what else Green can do.

The Bulldogs are simply in a wait-and-see mode with Green. Make no mistake about it, a healthy Green is an asset for MSU.

82 Thomas WEBB

6-5

255

Jr.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

N/A

Scout

N/A

Year	Catches	Yards	AVGYds	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
Career	0	0	0	0

Thomas Webb is a big, physical tight end who is in the mold of a more traditional TE. He plays best with his hand on the ground in blocking situations.

He moves well enough to be a blocking H-back but needs to work on his hands in the passing game.

Webb will certainly be in the rotation this fall.

85 Brandon HENDERSON

6-2

245

JR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

Scout

Year	Catches	Yards	AVGYds	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
2008	6	70	11.7	1
2007	0	0	0	0
Career	6	70	11.7	1

Brandon Henderson is anther player who has battled the injury bug during his time at MSU. Last season was spent playing with a cast on his hand and this spring he was still recovering and not allowed to showcase all of his abilities.

Henderson has proven he can be a viable option in the passing game and is an adequate blocker, but like Green must stay healthy to be effective.

88 Kendrick COOK

6-4

250

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

N/A

Rivals

N/A

Scout

N/A

Year	Catches	Yards	AVGYds	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
2008	0	0	0	0
Career	0	0	0	0

Kendrick Cook excelled during spring practice. Leaving the spring he stood atop the depth chart for his position due to his ability to get down the field and make plays with the football.

Dan Mullen has been clear that guys who make plays will see the most action and that will certainly hold true with Cook. He made play after play in the spring game which built upon a very consistent spring.

Right now, Cook is the closest TE to having all three skills the Bulldogs are looking for. A healthy Marcus Green may push Cook, but for now Cook is the top TE on the roster.

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