STARKVILLE — After three days and 255 picks, five Mississippi State players were selected in the 2020 NFL Draft. Here’s a minute-by-minute look at how it all unfolded.
Saturday Recap
5:54 p.m.: DB Brian Cole II Round 7, Pick 249
Brian Cole II is raw as a defensive back but the athleticism is there. Recruited as an athlete out of Saginaw, Michigan, Cole played receiver at Michigan before a stop at East Mississippi Community College and then to MSU.
Cole played a major role for the Bulldogs in the nickel corner spot and according to his former coach Joe Moorhead, he’s bulked up since leaving Starkville — giving him some ability to play downhill in the box.
Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network wrote the following of Cole:
“Brian Cole II is a green safety prospect who will need to undergo a dramatic shift in development if he is going to see the field on a regular basis at the pro level. Cole II brings impressive physicality and is one of the most physical safeties in the class — but he’s overly limited in coverage and still new to keys and feel for navigating the box in run support. Furthermore, he’s fairly linear as an athlete and loses his appeal when put in open space. Developmental player with ST potential.”
Cole will also join fellow Bulldog Cameron Dantzler in Minnesota.
5:24 p.m.: QB Tommy Stevens Round 7, Pick 240
Well it took almost all the entire day but Tommy Stevens is the first Bulldog off the board Saturday. Stevens’ time at MSU was marred by injury but he’s a dynamic athlete that could fit in what the Saints do.
In 10 games at MSU, Stevens completed 97 of 161 passes for 1,155 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. A separated shoulder, high-ankle sprain, a broken rib and a punctured lung limited his productivity throughout his one season in Starkville, but his 4.49 40-yard dash gave scouts major insight into the athletic ability he possesses.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler told The Dispatch the following on Stevens’ chances heading into the draft:
“Stevens won’t be draftable for most teams, but for a team looking for a project in the later rounds, Stevens will be an interesting name. He has impressive size and athleticism with a big arm, but his mental process isn’t anywhere close to being NFL ready. He has a better chance of signing as a priority free agent, but all it takes is one patient team to believe in the raw skill.”
11:01 a.m.: Checking in
Welcome back folks. Hope everyone slept well and is ready for a full day of football.
Some notable MSU players still on the board include:
– OL Darryl Williams
– DB Brian Cole II
– DE Chauncey Rivers
– QB Tommy Stevens
It remains to be seen whether Stevens is drafted, but the other three aforementioned Bulldogs should hear their names at some point. Stay with us throughout the day as we’ll have running updates on the action.
Friday Night Recap
11:03 p.m.: OL Tyre Phillips — Round 3, Pick 106 (Baltimore Ravens)
Phillips was a bit of a surprise as the last pick of the third round, but the 6-foot-5-inch tackle has massive upside given his huge frame. After spending two years at East Mississippi Community College, he was among the best junior college prospects in the country as a sophomore.
In two years with the Bulldogs, he started 13 games as a senior and has the versatility to play both guard and tackle on either side of the line. He also played a team-high 821 snaps last season.
Speaking with former coach Joe Moorhead earlier this week, the current Oregon offensive coordinator noted Phillips is a player in need of some extra game reps, but one who can thrive at the next level.
The Draft Network’s Kyle Crabbs said the following about Phillips before the draft:
“Tyre Phillips may end up scoring as a power tackle for some teams, he’s got uncoachable length and the necessary reach to deter pass rushers off the edge. He will thrive best as a power guard on the interior, where his gravitational pull will make it difficult for interior defenders to work around his wingspan. Phillips has the anchor ability and functional power to bang heads with powerful tackles; but he’s a scheme specific prospect who won’t do well if charged with playing in space.”
10:07 p.m.: CB Cameron Dantzler — Round 3, Pick 89 (Minnesota Vikings)
Entering the draft, Dantzler was seen as a borderline first round pick who could slide a bit. It took until the 25th pick of the third round for the converted quarterback to hear his name read by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Friday.
A lockdown cornerback for the Bulldogs this season, he boasted a forced incompletion rate of 24.1 percent, and his 94.5 pass-rushing grade from Pro Football Focus ranked second among Southeastern Conference cornerbacks.
The biggest knock on Dantzler is his slight 185-pound frame, but he should add mass once in an NFL strength program.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein had the following to say about him ahead of the draft:
“Very long, stringy cornerback with surprising strength and a competitive mindset that had quarterbacks looking for easier battles elsewhere. He looks to suffocate and contest the route from start to finish and does an excellent job of maintaining phase in the vertical plane. His cover style will draw attention from NFL game officials early on, but the athleticism and length should allow him to trust his technique. He won’t give up many explosive plays through the air, but is a high-risk tackler in run support and needs to do a better job of wrapping and finishing. Dantzler can play in a variety of coverages but is a future starter as a confident press-man corner with early starting potential.”
8:32 p.m.: LB Willie Gay Jr. — Round 2, Pick 63 (Kansas City Chiefs)
The former Starkville High School standout is the first Bulldog off the board in this year’s draft. While Gay Jr. missed eight games this season due to a litany of off-field issues, he’s an athletic specimen in the middle of the defense.
In three years at MSU, he totaled 99 tackles — 11 for a loss — three interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries.
Here’s what The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler told The Dispatch about Gay earlier this week:
“The interview process has been paramount for Gay after his junior year went sideways, missing eight games. And for a lot of these team interviews, he has been saying the right things and helping himself. Teams want to believe in him because he is super explosive with 4.4 speed and the range to cover both sidelines. He is somewhat undisciplined on the field as well and needs to better sort through the action, but he plays with urgency and closing speed. As a talent, he is in the top-50 picks. And he might still go that high.”
Thursday Night Recap
To little surprise, no Mississippi State players were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Stay tuned throughout Friday as linebacker Willie Gay Jr. and cornerback Cameron Dantzler should hear their names called in the third round or earlier.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
