For you star gazers

[BeastMan]

In the class of 2011, we saw the full meltdown over the nation's #1 LB CJ Johnson flipping to Ole Miss. I mean, MSU was freaking screwed! They'd never have a defense after that! Well, MSU went on the sign a little known ATH named Benardrick McKinney. Fast forward to now...

2014 stats:

CJ Johnson- 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 pbu, 1 INT

BMac- 27 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 QBH, 1 fumble recovery


Projected Future:

CJ- projected as 4-5th round (http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=119339&draftyear=2015&genpos=OLB) (which I think is a stretch)

BMac- todd mcshay projects 1st round (http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2014/05/2015_nfl_mock_draft_todd_mcshay_has_eagles_taking_ benardrick_mckinney_linebacker_from_mississippi_st .html)

Interesting how things turn out. For all the meltdowns, OM got a role player and MSU got an elite LB. Remember that before you have your next online meltdown over recruiting

[DawgInMemphis]

In the class of 2011, we saw the full meltdown over the nation's #1 LB CJ Johnson flipping to Ole Miss. I mean, MSU was freaking screwed! They'd never have a defense after that! Well, MSU went on the sign a little known ATH named Benardrick McKinney. Fast forward to now...

2014 stats:

CJ Johnson- 9 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL, 1 pbu, 1 INT

BMac- 27 tackles, 5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 QBH, 1 fumble recovery


Projected Future:

CJ- projected as 4-5th round (http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=119339&draftyear=2015&genpos=OLB) (which I think is a stretch)

BMac- todd mcshay projects 1st round (http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2014/05/2015_nfl_mock_draft_todd_mcshay_has_eagles_taking_ benardrick_mckinney_linebacker_from_mississippi_st .html)

Interesting how things turn out. For all the meltdowns, OM got a role player and MSU got an elite LB. Remember that before you have your next online meltdown over recruiting

Not arguing that Bmac has turned into the better player - he absolutely has, but a guy projected to be drafted is not a role player. Everyone on this board would have liked to have both (aside from any characters issues CJ has had or is perceived to have had).

[msstate7]

I think om moving cj to de has really hurt his draft status

[Goat Holder]

Uh, is there anything wrong with having BOTH?

C.J. is a great player, regardless of what we think about him. He wrecked us in 2012. He's not a role player. He's a difference maker when he's healthy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqBcY8wWCsU

[HoopsDawg]

I really hated losing CJ and Channing Ward. I thought Ward was going to be a beast at DE.

McKinney being a good player was really not a shock to anyone who follows recruiting. He was the typical overlooked kid from the Delta who was playing out of position in HS. He played LB in the Blackwell all-star game and had double digit tackles. If you watched that game, you could tell he was going to be a good player after a redshirt year and time in the weightroom.

[thf24]

I think om moving cj to de has really hurt his draft status

Definitely. He's way too small to play DE in the NFL. He'll probably be drafted as a 3-4 OLB, but late round as he's a tad small for that too.

[Coach34]

We never "lost" Channing Ward. His business decision was made long before his Sr year

[AlSwearengen]

I think om moving cj to de has really hurt his draft status

I think we were going to use him at de also. He is pretty good for them when healthy. That said, I would like to see what he could have done for us and I would prefer it if he were backing up Preston smith instead of starting for them.

[messageboardsuperhero]

Uh, is there anything wrong with having BOTH?

C.J. is a great player, regardless of what we think about him. He wrecked us in 2012. He's not a role player. He's a difference maker when he's healthy.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqBcY8wWCsU

CJ is an outstanding pass rusher- but is an undersized DE who struggles when you run right at him.

Go to the play at the 56 second mark. Gabe Jackson pulls and whips his ass.

ETA: And it happens again at 1:15.

[maroonmania]

CJ Johnson is a heck of a talent if he was being developed properly and playing the correct position. However, he is a total punk, and for that reason I'm not nearly as bitter about the fact he was bought and paid for by OM as I use to be.

[mic]

Give me ONE BMac over TWO CJ Johnson's any day..

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Both would be starting at lb for us now. For all the hate over his recruitment he was 1 of the best hs mlb I've seen in many years in MS.

[mic]

Both would be starting at lb for us now. For all the hate over his recruitment he was 1 of the best hs mlb I've seen in many years in MS.

LB ??. I disagree... Who does he start over for us? And doesn't he play DE.?

[Ifyouonlyknew]

He would be either a true senior or rs junior for us. He would be starting over Beni Brown. Yes he plays DE for OM where he's out of position. He's only 225lbs. If he would've came to MSU he would've played at LB as a true freshman & he & BMac would be great together.