Brown eager to make first start at linebacker for MSU

STARKVILLE — Freshmen usually have two schools of thoughts when it comes to their first college football season. They either want to play right away or they want to sit out the first season and be redshirted.

Mississippi State junior linebacker Richie Brown fell in the latter category and was redshirted as a freshman. He said it was one of the best things that could have happened to him.

Clark performs well in debut at Starkville High

MACON — Rontavis Clark walked back to the sideline early in the second quarter Friday night with a lot on his mind.

Starkville High freshmen learning the ropes at EMCC

SCOOBA – East Mississippi Community College coach Buddy Stephens knows what kind of player he’s getting when they played at Starkville High School.

MSU’s Green hopes to make make at LB

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State redshirt freshman linebacker Gerri Green already is drawing comparisons to a former Bulldog linebacker.

Even though Green hasn’t played for the Bulldogs, many think he is similar to Benardrick McKinney.

“It’s a great compliment,” Green said. “B-Mac (McKinney) was a great player. To be anything like him would be a good

accomplishment. Being compared to him and the things that he did here, that is a big compliment.”

MSU’s Stapleton will miss six months with knee injury

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State men’s basketball player Xavian Stapleton will be out six months after he suffered a knee injury earlier this week in practice.

According to a school press release, the 6-foot-6 Flora native, who transferred to MSU from Louisiana Tech and was going to have to sit out this season, tore the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his left knee Monday in a pickup game. He will have knee surgery in September.

Coman steps up to provide leadership at safety for MSU

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State junior safety Kivon Coman doesn’t hide the fact that he’s a leader.

Singleton, McFatrich team up to change MSU’s volleyball fortunes

STARKVILLE – Evie Grace Singleton had a big decision to make when she learned that her coach was leaving for Mississippi State.

Starkville High’s Brown treated like big leaguer at All-America game

STARKVILLE — A.J. Brown is on the cusp of starting his senior year in football.

But the multi-sport standout had business to take care on the diamond before he and his football teammates hit the field Friday night.

The Starkville High School wide receiver and center fielder played in the Under Armour All-America baseball game Saturday at Wrigley Field in Chicago. He also will play in the Under Armour All-America football game in January, becoming just the second player to play in both games.

Experienced Calhoun, Redmond will lead MSU defense

STARKVILLE — Taveze Calhoun and Will Redmond enter their senior years at Mississippi State as two of the football team’s most experienced players.

The cornerbacks have been on the field at the same time for the past two seasons and have developed a chemistry that has solidified the back of MSU’s defense.

Walley hopes to put lessons to use at TE

STARKVILLE — When Gus Walley arrived at Mississippi State, wide receiver looked like the position for him.

The junior played wideout at Green County High School in Richton and was recruited as that position. He capped his prep career by catching 43 passes for 566 yards and three touchdowns as a senior.

MSU, Howland receive commitment from four-star prospect Wright

STARKVILLE — Ben Howland continues to bring in some of the best recruits in the nation.

The first-year Mississippi State men’s basketball coach added another big-time guard to his 2016 recruiting class Monday when four-star prospect Eli Wright committed to MSU.

MSU’s Jones looks to live up to All-America hype

STARKVILLE — Chris Jones burst onto the college football scene as a freshman in 2013.

The Mississippi State defensive lineman had 32 tackles (seven for loss) and three sacks to earn freshman All-America honors. That performance suggested Jones could have an even better season in 2014.

But the Houston native’s statistics in his sophomore season — 26 tackles (3.5 for loss) and three sacks — didn’t match the numbers he posted as a freshman, but his name was mentioned as often as it was in his first year.

Coaches like experience players get at New Hope Jamboree

STARKVILLE — New Hope’s High School preseason football jamboree has become one of the best in the state of Mississippi.

The Trojans played host to the event for the sixth year in a row Friday and Saturday, and for the fifth time it was at Mississippi State’s Davis Wade Stadium.

New Hope second-year coach Kris Pickle heard good things about the jamboree when he took over the program prior to last season, and this year’s 14-team event might have been the best.

Mullen sees pluses, room for improvement in scrimmage

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen was pleased with what he saw from his team Thursday night.

Two weeks into fall camp, the Bulldogs had their first scrimmage three nights ago at Davis Wade Stadium. Many of the older players saw few repetitions, including senior quarterback Dak Prescott.

QB analysis: Young quarterbacks standing out at MSU camp

STARKVILLE – There is no question who will be the starting quarterback for Mississippi State this season.

MSU confirms 3,500 seats sold for new stadium

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State announced Tuesday that over 3,500 seats have been resereved for the new Dudy Noble Field.

Bulldogs lack experience in backfield

STARKVILLE – Ashton Shumpert has been waiting for two seasons to become the featured running back in the Mississippi State offense.

Warren grows into role on MSU’s offensive line

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach John Hevesy used to tell Rufus Warren he would be an offensive lineman before his career was over.

Summer helps Starkville’s Jones raise profile

STARKVILLE — Kobe Jones took advantage of his opportunities this summer.

The Starkville High School senior defensive lineman attended a couple of camps around the Southeast and impressed. His play paid off as he received a scholarship offer from Alabama.

Starkville High’s Dantzler primed for big senior year

STARKVILLE — Lorenzo Dantzler is pretty happy with his commitment.

The Starkville High School defensive lineman committed to Louisiana Tech earlier this spring. He has seven other offers, including Southern Mississippi and Memphis.

He hopes more offers will pour in this fall as he plays his final season for the Yellow Jackets. If that happens, he’ll re-evaluate his options.