MSU verbal commitments still facing recruiting pressure

STARKVILLE — One talks with his family, visits schools, and picks a college

It often is one of the biggest choices teenagers make as they become adults.

For some, that’s when things only start to get interesting.

Harris becomes MSU’s 12th commitment

STARKVILLE — The Mississippi State University football program welcomed the 12th verbal commitment to its 2013 recruiting class Saturday morning after Alabama athlete Dezmond Harris opted to play for the Bulldogs.

Saban, Tide look to learn lessons from 2010 season

HOOVER, Ala. — University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban has reminded every member of the 2012 squad that this season is simply another test for his program to learn how to deal with success.

Freeze: Egg Bowl 2012 not a priority

HOOVER, Ala. — With all respect to the amount of emphasis that Mississippi State University wants to put in the in-state rivalry game, the University of Mississippi still doesn’t share the intensity.

Bulldogs build foundation with in-state players

HOOVER, Ala. — Without initially being aware what he’d accomplished, Mississippi State University football coach Dan Mullen immediately realized the significance of the three players he brought to the 2012 Southeastern Conference football media day.

Jackson will be key piece of MSU’s offensive line

HOOVER, Ala. — In a moment of clarity before the first Mississippi State University spring football practice of the 2012 season, junior offensive guard Gabe Jackson came to a stunning realization.

Banks guarantees MSU will beat Ole Miss again

HOOVER, Ala. — Mississippi State University senior cornerback Johnthan Banks is convinced he’ll leave the Bulldogs program with an undefeated record against the University of Mississippi.

New kickoff rules to promote player safety, limit injuries

HOOVER, Ala. — The heightened awareness about head injuries in football has resulted in rules changes for the 2012 college season.

League to honor Croom in documentary

HOOVER, Ala. — While praising the league’s commitment to having minority coaches in its premier sport of college football, Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive announced Tuesday former Mississippi State University football coach Sylvester Croom will be the subject of an ESPN/SEC Network documentary in the league’s “Storied” series.

Texas A&M, Missouri ready for the challenge of SEC football

HOOVER, Ala. — The two incoming members to the Southeastern Conference have been welcomed to the league by being told they’ve been playing inferior football in the past.

For MSU, Mullen and Russell relationship comes full circle

HOOVER, Ala. — For the last three years, everything for Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen and quarterback Tyler Russell have been about experiencing firsts.

Lawrence leads more Bulldogs on to watch lists

STARKVILLE — The leading returning tackler in the Southeastern Conference finally was acknowledged Monday.

Mississippi State University linebacker Cameron Lawrence was selected to the 2012 Butkus Award watch list. The award is given annually to the nation’s best linebacker.

Wells joins MSU baseball staff

STARKVILLE — The next step in Jake Wells’ coaching career was about finding the right philosophical fit at a bigger program.

For John Cohen and the Mississippi State University baseball program, the task was finding the next young, up-and-coming coach to complete a staff that will lead the team to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

MSU’s Jackson, Boyd, Banks earn honors

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University offensive guard Gabe Jackson received two birthday presents Thursday.

The junior from Amite County High School was named to the Outland Trophy Award watch list and was a preseason second-team pick to the All-Southeastern Conference team.

Bulldogs’ TE Johnson suffers injury

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State University redshirt sophomore tight end Malcolm Johnson suffered an injury last weekend.

MSU football spokesperson Joe Galbraith declined to elaborate about the specifics of the injury, citing “team policy on injuries. He refused to comment about whether the injury was to Johnson’s “upper body” or “lower body” when asked Wednesday afternoon.

MSU baseball picks up, loses Canadian baseball players

STARKVILLE — Essentially what the Mississippi State University baseball program accomplished Tuesday was a trade with the country directly to the north of us.

Pair of Bulldogs make preseason watch lists

STARKVILLE — After completing their first active season on the Mississippi State University football team, two players made it to national watch lists.

NCAA grants MSU’s Green sixth year of eligibility

STARKVILLE — Marcus Green will be in a Mississippi State University football jersey in 2012.

MSU officials announced Thursday morning the NCAA granted the 24-year-old tight end a sixth-year of eligibility after the school applied for it on his behalf.

MSU’s Renfroe shows summer power stroke

Hunter Renfroe earned the reputation for being a power hitter early in his Mississippi State University baseball career.

The rising junior may be primed to realize that potential thanks to a record-setting summer in the Cal Ripken Collegiate Summer Baseball League.

Sheets begins road back to majors in Pearl

PEARL — Ben Sheets appeared exactly the way he and everybody expected he would look Wednesday night — rusty.

It had been nearly 22 months since the four-time All-Star had taken the mound in a professional baseball game, and the layoff caused him to make mistakes in his return to the game. The Jackson (Tenn.) Generals capitalized on those mistakes in a 4-2 victory against the Mississippi Braves in a Double-A minor league game at Trustmark Park.