Cottrell Adds SEC Offer

On Saturday at Mississippi State's junior day, linebacker/defensive end prospect Bryce Cottrell got his first look at the Bulldogs' gridiron program. And the Plano West, Texas, junior left with some good news and his first SEC offer.

"It was a great trip and they (verbally) offered me," said the 6-foot-4 and 225-pound Cottrell. "That was great news to hear and they called my mom, too, to tell here. So it was a very good visit.

"I liked talking to Coach (Chris) Wilson and he was the one who offered me. He asked me what position I was interested in playing and I told him defensive end. They said they liked hearing that and I also got to talk with Coach (Angelo) Mirando, too, and that was good."

Cottrell also owns an offer from Baylor and has also visited juniors days at Baylor, Kansas and Oklahoma State. In the near future, he will attend junior days at Syracuse and Southern Cal.

As far as his trip to Starkville, Cottrell said he was impressed with all that he was able to see on campus.

"I liked the way their facilities were set up," said Cottrell, who had 81 tackles and eight sacks last year. "And their practice today was amazing. I liked the way they practice at a fast tempo and they were very aggressive. I like their defensive schemes and how they blitz. I also like their drops with their ends and how they get to rush and drop back in pass coverage."

With two offers in hand now, Cottrell said he was anxious to visit other schools, too, starting with Syracuse and Southern Cal, and just take the recruiting process "in stride".

"I don't have any favorites but it is good to start picking up offers," said Cottrell, who said he was a big fan of former MSU linebacker K.J. Wright. "I am considering all the schools recruiting me and I am just going to take my time."