Biggest Recruiting What If's

[StarkVegasSteve]

In honor of signing day who are your biggest recruiting what if's in State history?

1. Keyshawn Johnson- The chance to have Keyshawn and Moulds in the same offense would've been electric.

2. Lamar Jackson- He was leaning State at one point in the process.There's more to the story of how that went wrong, but I won't publicly air that on a message board. We could've gone Dak to Lamar and that brings me to number 3.

3. Jalen Hurts- Dan just couldn't keep him hidden from Saban. I think we would've gotten AJ had Hurts signed. Dak->Lamar->Hurts.

4. Raekwon Davis- Boy those 45 minutes he was committed were fun. Raekwon, Montez, and Jeff on the defensive front is fun to think about.


Who else y'all got?

[msstate7]

What if OM got Chris Jones to go with nkemdiche? They may have won it all in 2015

[msstate7]

Obviously cam Newton should be #1 imo

[StarkVegasSteve]

Obviously cam Newton should be #1 imo

It hurt too much to add him.

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

Ndamukong Suh was a big time lean here at one point. I even think his sister played a sport here. Soccer or Volleyball maybe ?

Would have been another great D Lineman here.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

We were very close on Ndamukong Suh. His sister played soccer at MSU. Nebraska won out. But were in the final 2 or 3. His sister was the only reason we were in it.

[StarkVegasSteve]

We were very close on Ndamukong Suh. His sister played soccer at MSU. Nebraska won out. But were in the final 2 or 3. His sister was the only reason we were in it.

Did Croom not tell him he thought he was lazy?

[StarkVegasSteve]

Ted Ginn Jr is another one. Croom thought he was only a return specialist.

[TrapGame]

Steve McNair.

Jackie didn't want him as a QB.

[Goldendawg]

Why did we not offer Jerry Rice? Hugh Greene and Rooster Jones were also "stolen" by Jackie while he was at Pitt.

[BankerDog]

LaMichael James, Jalen Ramsey (or was it Greg Reid?? Mullen?s first or second class I think), DeMeco Ryans, Akeem Dent played in the league for a little bit, the Alexander brothers.

[PikeDawg15]

What if our 2018 team had DK Metcalf and AJ Brown with Dan Mullen as head coach.

[msstate7]

What if we didn't destroy our football program by ditching the AR in the 2023 recruiting cycle? -KB

[KOdawg1]

1. Cam Newton. We win 10+ with a legit shot at the championship.

2. Jerry Rice.


Jimmy Butler on the basketball side of things

[THE Bruce Dickinson]

1. Cam Newton. We win 10+ with a legit shot at the championship.

2. Jerry Rice.


Jimmy Butler on the basketball side of things

From a basketball standpoint Travis Outlaw skipping for the NBA was a huge loss.

He probably would have started at the 3 guard in Shane Power's spot on the 03-04 basketball team that won the SEC.

We would have been a legit NC contender with that lineup.

Timmy Bowers
Winsome Frazier
Travis Outlaw
Brandon Vincent
Lawrence Roberts

[Extendedcab]

What if we didn't destroy our football program by ditching the AR in the 2023 recruiting cycle? -KB

Oh no!!! Don't pick up where he left off! I thought we were trying to forget him or IGNORE him?

[Maverick91]

Yall just made me so sad. I didnt know where we’re in the hunt for some of these. Man what if!

[archdog]

Obviously cam Newton should be #1 imo

Cam Newton and we would have beaten Oregon in the National Championship game. No doubt.

[archdog]

Don't forget Monte Ellis and Jonathan Bender.

[archdog]

I feel like Winsome Frazier was a 80% from 3 shooter. I just do not remember him missing shots. I also remember him defending JJ Reddick like a champ.

[Liverpooldawg]

Why did we not offer Jerry Rice? Hugh Greene and Rooster Jones were also "stolen" by Jackie while he was at Pitt.

I have always heard that Rice could not get in to MSU. Moor High was not an academic powerhouse. The correct answer to the OP is Cam Newton.

[Saltydog]

In honor of signing day who are your biggest recruiting what if's in State history?

1. Keyshawn Johnson- The chance to have Keyshawn and Moulds in the same offense would've been electric.

2. Lamar Jackson- He was leaning State at one point in the process.There's more to the story of how that went wrong, but I won't publicly air that on a message board. We could've gone Dak to Lamar and that brings me to number 3.

3. Jalen Hurts- Dan just couldn't keep him hidden from Saban. I think we would've gotten AJ had Hurts signed. Dak->Lamar->Hurts.

4. Raekwon Davis- Boy those 45 minutes he was committed were fun. Raekwon, Montez, and Jeff on the defensive front is fun to think about.


Who else y'all got?

Cam Newton and it's not even close.......Just think what that 2010 could've been like........

[Saltydog]

Travis Outlaw and Al Jefferson.......

[Saltydog]

Here's one some people may have forgotten....Paul Broussard.......He was a 5 star DL out of Blinn JC, I believe........He was shot in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant somewhere in Louisiana......Best I can remember he was in his Dad's 18 wheeler and his Dad went inside the restaurant.......Paul stayed in the truck and someone tried to break in or steal something.......Broussard confronted the person and was shot 3 times and died on the scene.........This was near the end of the JWS era........2001-2002 if I'm not mistaken.......

[Johnson85]

Obviously cam Newton should be #1 imo

You can get pretty specific in the what if scenarios for Cam.

What if Bell had been home when Cecil called and answered the phone so that Cecil didn't leave a voice message? Would state people have been as freaked out if they didn't know Cecil was dumb enough to go around leaving incriminating voice mails?

What if we had just paid. Would the SEC have protected us the way they protected Auburn?

[Johnson85]

Steve McNair.

Jackie didn't want him as a QB.

Not quite on that level, but there was a QB from Hinds that was in the heisman running for Iowa that we wanted as a DB.

ETA: Brad Banks

[redstickdawg]

Here's one some people may have forgotten....Paul Broussard.......He was a 5 star DL out of Blinn JC, I believe........He was shot in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant somewhere in Louisiana......Best I can remember he was in his Dad's 18 wheeler and his Dad went inside the restaurant.......Paul stayed in the truck and someone tried to break in or steal something.......Broussard confronted the person and was shot 3 times and died on the scene.........This was near the end of the JWS era........2001-2002 if I'm not mistaken.......

It was at a Popeye's in BAton Rouge. He was going to be a force on the DL, it was beginning of Jackie's demise.

[The Federalist Engineer]

In honor of signing day who are your biggest recruiting what if's in State history?

1. Keyshawn Johnson- The chance to have Keyshawn and Moulds in the same offense would've been electric.

2. Lamar Jackson- He was leaning State at one point in the process.There's more to the story of how that went wrong, but I won't publicly air that on a message board. We could've gone Dak to Lamar and that brings me to number 3.

3. Jalen Hurts- Dan just couldn't keep him hidden from Saban. I think we would've gotten AJ had Hurts signed. Dak->Lamar->Hurts.

4. Raekwon Davis- Boy those 45 minutes he was committed were fun. Raekwon, Montez, and Jeff on the defensive front is fun to think about.


Who else y'all got?

It was a happy day, then StarkVegasSteve posted this. You forgot about Kirk Presley, but that is far in the past. Signed and then the Mets offered him a deal he could not reject.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Cam Newton and it's not even close.......Just think what that 2010 could've been like........

Just asking the question - Cam Newton almost could not play the SEC Championship game as the scandal unraveled.

Would MSU have been treated differently than Auburn?

Is my low Bulldog self esteem talking too loudly?

[Turfdawg67]

Just asking the question - Cam Newton almost could not play the SEC Championship game as the scandal unraveled.

Would MSU have been treated differently than Auburn?

Is my low Bulldog self esteem talking too loudly?

Yep. Auburn would've turned us in and the NCAA would've crucified us. But hell, I'd take a tainted Natty...

[msu15]

I'll never think just adding Cam to our team turns around the beat downs we suffered at LSU and at Bama in 2010, but it is nice to wonder about I guess.

[Homedawg]

I have always heard that Rice could not get in to MSU. Moor High was not an academic powerhouse. The correct answer to the OP is Cam Newton.

That's not true. We didn't recruit him. Period. Back then there were little to no requirements academically, and I'm sure he could have met them whatever they were

[Homedawg]

It was a happy day, then StarkVegasSteve posted this. You forgot about Kirk Presley, but that is far in the past. Signed and then the Mets offered him a deal he could not reject.

And he got hurt so ...

[Reunion Dog]

Antonio McDyess. From Meridian and was coming to State ? but Bob Boyd thought Hubert Henderson was better. Every time Bama beat us? and it was a lot? McDyess always came up to Boyd and said Coach I was coming and u pulled my offer. He was a STUD for all you younger Bullpups.

[captaindog]

Are you thinking of Derrick McKey? A McDyess was in the same class as E Dampier in the mid90s. We wanted badly to get McDyess. Imagine him on the Sweet Sixteen and Final Four team.

[oildawg]

Richard Sherman

[tcdog70]

That's not true. We didn't recruit him. Period. Back then there were little to no requirements academically, and I'm sure he could have met them whatever they were

I reffed a lot of Moor games. Jerry was small and not a SEC talent in high school. He was a late bloomer and grew and became faster. Playing at Valley with that offense really helped Him.

[Pinto]

Here?s a semi unknown one. Marcus Mann. He was on scholarship to come to State but backed out. Heard rumors why, but won?t share. He went to ECCC and then Valley. Got Valley into the tourney. Drafted in 2nd round of NBA draft. He would have been on our men?s basketball final four team.

[Liverpooldawg]

That's not true. We didn't recruit him. Period. Back then there were little to no requirements academically, and I'm sure he could have met them whatever they were

There were academic requirements to get into MSU back then. I have always heard that he didn't meet them and that's why we didn't recruit him. If you never had any contact with Moor High it's hard to understand just how bad it was.

[Really Clark?]

Steve McNair.

Jackie didn't want him as a QB.

Actually Jackie did recruit him to start off at QB and if it didn't work move him to safety. But the family didn't believe he would leave him at QB. And to be fair, Jackie had done that previously at TAM, signed a guy as a QB and moved him to DB within a week or so of getting on campus. So Steve was understandable concerned that we would do the same. Miami and LSU exclusively recruited Steve at safety.

[parabrave]

Don't forget Monte Ellis and Jonathan Bender.

Bender would've been the big one and he would've gone to MSU if he didn't go pro, can't blame him.

[Joebob]

Why did we not offer Jerry Rice? Hugh Greene and Rooster Jones were also "stolen" by Jackie while he was at Pitt.

Hugh Green was my first thought too. If it hadn't been for Sherrill, we would have had Green, Jonnie Cooks, Glenn Collins, Billy Jackson, Tyrone Keys, and Lynn Thomas on the same defense. I still drool at the thought of that.

[Johnson85]

Bender would've been the big one and he would've gone to MSU if he didn't go pro, can't blame him.

Bender would have been a big one because he was early in Stansbury's career, but Monte would have been a much better get. Bender was hurt by injuries, but he played 59 games his second year and averaged 3.3 pts per game. He topped out at 7.4 points per game. He would have been good in college, but not a big time scorer night in and night out. MOnte would have been. He scored over 16 a game in the pros his second year. He scored 6.8 a game his rookie year while only playing 18 minutes a game. So basically 13.6 per 36 minutes against NBA players as a rookie. Presumably he'd have done better than 13.6 per game against college players.

[sleepy dawg]

Uncle Rico. Used to be able to throw a pigskin a quarter mile.

[viverlibre]

During JWS's tenure there as a QB from Tupelo who started for ND, can't remember his name.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

During JWS's tenure there as a QB from Tupelo who started for ND, can't remember his name.

Jarious Jackson. Tupelo to Notre Dame to Denver Broncos

[Todd4State]

This is an odd one I'll admit.

But I've always wondered how Tobias Singleton and Nick Brassel would have turned out had they gone to MSU. Would have also meant CJ Johnson would have ended up at MSU as well.

I think a big reason why Singleton and Brassel failed was because of the environment they were in at Ole Miss. They would have thrived with Dan and Dak Prescott throwing them the ball.

[Johnson85]

This is an odd one I'll admit.

But I've always wondered how Tobias Singleton and Nick Brassel would have turned out had they gone to MSU. Would have also meant CJ Johnson would have ended up at MSU as well.

I think a big reason why Singleton and Brassel failed was because of the environment they were in at Ole Miss. They would have thrived with Dan and Dak Prescott throwing them the ball.

Brassel certainly had the skills to be in the NFL and maybe being away from Batesville would have been enough to let him get out of his own way.

I think Singleton was just overrated. I just don't remember him ever doing anything in college that indicated he really had next level athleticism. Certainly wasn't paying attention to him, so I may have just missed it, but you couldn't miss the talent Brassel had.

[viverlibre]

Jarious Jackson. Tupelo to Notre Dame to Denver Broncos

I remember a TV commentator saying if Jarious had signed with State, we'd contended for the Natty.

[Saltydog]

There were academic requirements to get into MSU back then. I have always heard that he didn't meet them and that's why we didn't recruit him. If you never had any contact with Moor High it's hard to understand just how bad it was.

Yep, back then it was called Prop 48. I think it required a minimum score of 18 on the ACT, etc. if I'm not mistaken. Not sure if this was applicable to Rice but LP is correct in that there were certain requirements then.

[R2Dawg]

From a basketball standpoint Travis Outlaw skipping for the NBA was a huge loss.

He probably would have started at the 3 guard in Shane Power's spot on the 03-04 basketball team that won the SEC.

We would have been a legit NC contender with that lineup.

Timmy Bowers
Winsome Frazier
Travis Outlaw
Brandon Vincent
Lawrence Roberts

On basketball what about Monta Ellis and Jonathan Bender? MSU basketball might look different today with the players mentioned.

[R2Dawg]

A top notch QB away in 99 for competing for a NC.

[The Federalist Engineer]

What if Mens Basketball had signed:

92- Othella Harrington with Dampier, Darrel Wilson, and company. Natty in 1996
98- Chris Jackson instead of messing around in LSU, play for his home state, Richard Williams rejuvenated

[The Federalist Engineer]

I remember a TV commentator saying if Jarious had signed with State, we'd contended for the Natty.

Upgrade at QB for MSU you might still lose to Alabama but not Arkansas in 1999.

So MSU plays in Atlanta vs Florida, wins that game to be 12-1

Win the SEC most likely.

If Jackson beats Bama, then you play Free Shoes University for the NC.At 12-1, Michael Vick and VT play FSU.

[parabrave]

What if Mens Basketball had signed:

92- Othella Harrington with Dampier, Darrel Wilson, and company. Natty in 1996
98- Chris Jackson instead of messing around in LSU, play for his home state, Richard Williams rejuvenated

Chris would've been in the NBA in 98/ You must mean 88 and he did make the right move then.

[StarkVegasSteve]

This is an odd one I'll admit.

But I've always wondered how Tobias Singleton and Nick Brassel would have turned out had they gone to MSU. Would have also meant CJ Johnson would have ended up at MSU as well.

I think a big reason why Singleton and Brassel failed was because of the environment they were in at Ole Miss. They would have thrived with Dan and Dak Prescott throwing them the ball.


Brassel would have failed wherever he went. He did not want to participate in the student part of student athlete. It would have been no different in Starkville, Tuscaloosa, Auburn, Athens, or Gainesville. The kid never had any interest in going to class. Ole Miss had staffers who their sole job was pick up Brassel from his dorm and take him from class to class. They would walk him in class and he would wait 5 minutes and walk out.

As someone else stated, Singleton was overrated.

[The Federalist Engineer]

Chris would've been in the NBA in 98/ You must mean 88 and he did make the right move then.

88