| 1996 | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Jan | Feb | Mar |
04/28/97 - How good of an athlete is junior strong safety Eric Brown you ask? According to an article by The Clarion-Ledger's sportswriter Rusty Hampton, he is a very good one. In the article, Mississippi State field events coach Laurie Trapp said Eric has a good chance "to jump 26-plus" in the long-jump, which "would qualify him for nationals". She also said Eric "has the potential to do...27 feet even", the best in the country at this time.
Laurie also had some good things to say about senior Bulldog Terry Day. She said "if I had him for two full years he'd be top three in the country. He could be an Olympian in the throws (hammer, shot put and dicus). That's how much potential he has." Laurie knows her stuff, since she was an All-American in the shot and dicus at LSU.
04/27/97 - Here is an interview with Jackie Sherrill by The Clarion-Ledger's sportswriter Rusty Hampton.
04/21/97 - I found out why Juco transfer running back James Johnson did not play in Saturday's scrimmage; he turned his ankle when he slipped on the walkway leaving the Scott Field dressing room.
During the scrimmage, linebacker Edward Yeates tore a ligament in his knee and may have to redshirt this coming season. Source: The Clarion-Ledger
04/20/97 - During Miss State's scrimmage, Saturday, QB Matt Wyatt had 187 yards while completing 17 passes on 26 attempts. Rob Morgan picked up 159 yards, while completing 16 passes on 28 attempts and Robbie Stillwell, who moves very well, completed 3 of 11 passes. Trey Belcher caught 8 passes for 66 yards. Kevin Prentiss caught 5 passes for 103 yards, including a 75 yard TD pass from running back Chris Rainey. Another receiver to watch for next year is TE Reginald Kelly, a 6-5 243-lb junior. He moves extremely well for a man his size. It is almost like watching a 6-0 195-lb running back move when he has the ball. Lorenzo Armstead, a 5-10, 170-lb SE, also looked extremely quick and should contribute significantly next fall.
The offensive line, looking good all day, kept the defensive line out of the backfield, while allowing Matt plenty of time to pass the ball. Miss State appears to have a lot of depth on the offensive line. It could be very possible Miss State will play a two-deep offensive line next season.
Since Miss State passed at least 66 times and only ran the ball 31 times, no running back stood out, although Nakia Greer and Chris Rainey both accumulated about 35 yards a piece. James Johnson did not play due to a minor injury.
Several defenders, Derrick Rush and Edward Yeates, stood out during Saturday's scrimmage. Defensive back Lamon Dumas appears to be all the way back from his injury.
The offensive and defensive stats are unofficial, so they may be different from what you read in the paper today.
04/20/97 - I don't believe Miss State, Ole Miss or Southern Miss are recruiting him at this moment, but I heard about a player from Pickens Academy that may be a division-I prospect. His name is Forrest Boutwell. He is a 6-2, 290-lb noseguard who can squat 500-lbs, dead lift 550-lbs and bench press 250-lbs. He was the powerlifting champ in the super heavy-weight classification in the Alabama academy ranks last year. He was at the MSU-Alabama baseball game Saturday for those that didn't know.
04/20/97 - Miss State offensive lineman Brent Smith was taken by the Miami Dolphins in the 3rd round of the NFL draft Saturday.
04/14/97 - Here's a little spring practice info from the Sunday issue of The Clarion-Ledger. Rusty Hampton wrote it:
04/10/97 - I received news about a walk-on who may have a chance to play some ball for Miss State next year. His name is John Hatcher. He is a 6-3 242 DE from Louisville HS (MS). He can bench 400 pounds and squat 500. I'm not sure what his chances are, but I bet when he hits you, you know you have been hit.
04/10/97 - Here is an outstanding Miss State spring practice article written by The Clarion-Ledger's sports writer Rusty Hampton.
04/09/97 - Here's the latest on how our injured Bulldogs are doing. Although Keffer McGee is back at practice running, he is only 60% recovered, but should be OK by fall practice. James Grier is 100%. Jeremy Jones' operation went well and he is doing fine.
04/03/97 - Wide receiver Jeremy Jones injured his knee during spring practice, but the extent of his injury will not be known for a couple of days. Nothing else to report as of now. I don't have a good contact for spring practice. I'm working on it, with very little luck at the moment. If any of you can help, contact me.
04/03/97 - Ask, and you shall received. You guys want spring practice info, well here it is:
Looks like Coach Sherrill recruited a couple of potential stars in Prentiss and Johnson. I believe a tip of the hat goes to Jackie and his staff. I'm already looking forward to next season.