Bulldogs add OL help
The Mississippi State offense will be its strongpoint this fall and planning for the future they added Kosciusko center John Paul Alford today. A lifelong Bulldog fan, all it took was an offer to help him make up his mind.
"I got my offer Sunday night," commented the 6-foot-3, 275 pounder. "Coach Croom called with it. He just said that he was offering one center and he thought I was the guy.
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"I committed today. I called coach Croom about 3:30 and told him I was going to be a Bulldog. He was excited. He said he was glad I made that decision."
While he didn't make the move immediately, there was never really any doubt in his mind what he would do.
"I've been a State fan all my life and I just grew up a State fan so it would be hard not to go to State after growing up cheering for them," he said. "My parents are real supportive of that because they are big-time State fans as well."
The Alfords are MSU season ticket holders.
While excited to be a part of the team he grew up cheering for, he will have a little extra time to make the adjustment to SEC football.
"They are going redshirt me my first year," he said.
"He is a true center," Kosciusko coach John Perry described him. "He's one of those that is your quarterback on the field. He knows what everybody is supposed to do. He knows all the calls.
"Fifty percent of the time we are in the shotgun and we've never had a bad snap. I don't see how you can go wrong with him."
A 4A MAC/MagnoliaPreps.com second team all-state selection as a junior, Alford was named the region's MVP on the offensive line.
Alford makes State's third commitment of the class of 2008.