2009 Football Roster Analysis l WR

WRs

Updated: 08.14.09
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Full Roster l Coaches

#	Name	Ht.	Wt.	Cl.	Hometown	Exp.	RS
1	Chad Bumphis	5-10	195	TFR.	Tupelo, MS (Tupelo HS)
3	Brandon Heavens	5-10	170	TFR.	Bessemer, Ala (Jess Lanier HS)
6	Brandon McRae	6-4	205	SR.	Chester, VA (Morehead State)
9	Leon Berry	6-0	195	JR.	Scooba, MS - East MS CC
11	Ricco Sanders	5-11	175	TFR.	Duncan, S.C. (Byrnes)
28	Tay Bowser	6-3	200	SR.	Gilmer, TX (Gilmer HS)
80	Andrew Ellard	5-10	185	SR.	Natchez, MS (Cathedral HS)
81	O'Neal Wilder	6-5	215	RFR.	Carthage, MS (Carthage HS)
83	Charles Bailey	6-1	180	RFR.	St. Augustine, FL (Bartram Trail HS)
87	Chris Smith	6-1	195	TFR.	Meridian, MS (Meridian HS)
89	Arceto Clark	5-10	180	SO.	Verona, MS (Shannon HS)

Total # of Players: 11
FR.	6	SO.	1	JR.	1	SR.	3

2009 Pre-Spring Positional Analysis

This position is easily the biggest question mark entering spring practice. Since his first day on the job, Mullen talked about the need for more receivers for his offense, and then Mullen signed seven receivers in February to further prove his point.

The Bulldogs, however, do return leading receiver in senior Brandon McRae, but even his return comes with doubts. McRae suffered a nasty broken leg in the Egg Bowl and will miss spring practice.

2009 Pre-Spring Player Analysis

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6 Brandon McRAE

6-4

205

SR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Year	Catches	Yards	Avg	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
2008	51	518	10.2	3
2007	2	50	25.0	0
Career	53	568	10.7	3

After showing out in practice only, McRae brought his talents to gameday as well in 2008. McRae ranked among the league's top receivers and ended the season with 51 catches for 518 yards and three touchdowns.

McRae is ahead of schedule with his rehab and is expected to be running again in May. McRae's healthy return to a depth-challenged group of Bulldog receivers is a must.

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9 Leon BERRY

6-1

195

JR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Year	Catches	Yards	Avg	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
Career	0	0	0	0

It has a lot to do with lack of numbers but Berry should step into a starting role from Day 1. Berry showed needed toughness at the juco level and was a great find late in the recruiting process.

Berry's size (6-1, 185) and speed alone will give him an edge this spring along with his two years of experience in the toughest junior college system in the country. Berry will also play a major role on special teams - returning kickoffs and punts.

89 Arceto CLARK

5-10

180

SO.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Year	Catches	Yards	Avg	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
2008	3	11	3.7	0
Career	3	11	3.7	0

Near the end of the season, Clark may have been the most-talked about receiver. But not for good reasons. Former MSU head coach Sylvester Croom decided to burn Clark's redshirt year in the eighth game of the season. No doubt Clark has the speed to play receiver in the SEC and in a strange twist, his brief appearances in the SEC last fall could benefit the Shannon product in 2009.

Clark was expected to be in the regular rotation in Mullen's new offense, partly due to lack of numbers. However, he is currently suspended indefinately for violation of team policy.

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81 O'Neal Wilder

6-5

215

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Year	Catches	Yards	Avg	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
Career	0	0	0	0

Wilder has been sidelined since before the season began with a knee injury and will not begin spring practice with the Bulldogs. However, Coach Mullen expects the track-star to be near full speed before spring drills are over.

His top end speed gives the Bulldogs a different element and while he is a welcomed addition to the football program, his future may very well be on the track and not the gridiron.

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83 Charles BAILEY

6-1

180

RFR.

High School Rankings:

ESPN

Rivals

Scout

Year	Catches	Yards	Avg	TDs
2009	0	0	0	0
Career	0	0	0	0

While Bailey lacks experience and redshirted last year, there is no question about his techniques and route running. Bailey did disappoint in practice with his inconsistency catching passes but his height (6-2) makes him a large target for Tyson Lee and company.

With a lack of experienced receivers, Bailey will definitely get his shot this spring to prove his worth, which can only give him an advantage when the large number of rookie wideouts arrive in August.

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