The 2006 Mississippi State football season is a mere six weeks away, so we figure it's about time Bulldog fans became a bit more familiar with the team they'll be cheering for this fall. A real State fan could probably tell you where many of the players went to high school, and the recruiting junkies could even tell you how many stars they earned from the so-called experts.
But there's more to be known about these guys who wear the maroon and white, things that make these players unique. So with that in mind, we've compiled a list of these various details, some of which you may already know, but many of which we suspect you don't.
Did you know that?....
...LB Gabe O'Neal and former record-setting MSU RB J.J. Johnson are cousins?...LB Quinton Culberson was the first true freshman to start for MSU since 1986, and that he and former Alabama and NFL LB Dwayne Rudd are cousins?...Incoming JUCO transfer WR Tony Burks signed with in-state rival Mississippi out of high school?...Michael Henig was rated the #1 QB at the 2003 Bowden Quarterback Camp, and that he was one of only eleven players nation-wide selected to the EA Sports Elite 11 QB camp that same summer?...WR Will Prosser's uncle (J.B. Sims, 1974-1975) and cousin (Stan Sims, 1984-1987) both played football at MSU?...DB Marcus Evans is cousins with former MSU players Jason Clark and Tee Milons?...QB Tray Rutland's first name is actually Quintavious?...DB David Heard's middle name is Chong, he was born in Seoul, South Korea, and he is majoring in biological engineering?...RB Derek Ambrose's cousin, Ashley Ambrose, currently plays in the NFL?...LB Carlton Rice, LB Brad Horton, TE Dezmond Sherrod, and OL Brian Anderson were all National Honor Society students in high school?...LB Brad Horton is an Eagle Scout?...DB De'Mon Glanton and LB Brad Horton were both named to "Who's Who Among American High School Students" before coming to MSU?...DB De'Mon Glanton's nickname is Red?...OL Anthony Strauder was a National Honor Roll student in high school, and his uncle, Herman Carroll, played football at MSU (1990-1993) and with the New Orleans Saints?...FB Brandon Hart's nickname is Bubba?...K Keith Andrews' 220 carrer points and 59-yard field goal are both Louisiana high school records?...DL Avery Hannibal was the Georgia Class 4-A state champion in wrestling at the 215-pound weight division for two years and was ranked third nationally before giving up the sport his senior season to focus on football?...TE Eric Butler is MSU's all-time career leader for touchdown catches by a TE (7) and still has two seasons to play?...Incoming JUCO transfer DL J.D. Hamilton is a former state champion calf and steer roper?...Incoming freshman DL J.C. Brignone's full name is Julio Cesar Brignone, and that he owned his own pressure washing business while in high school?...Incoming freshman OL Mark Melichar was actually born in Jackson, MS though he graduated from Oak Mountain High School in Birmingham?...DL Anthony Dunning began starting at Coffeeville (AL) High School when he was in the 7th grade?...OL Michael Gates was born in Tyler, Texas and lived in the state of New York until moving to Georgia his senior year of high school?...WR Keon Humphries was named Alabama's Gatorade Player of the Year in baseball as a junior?...WR Will Prosser was the Male Athlete of the Year in the MPSA North AAAA as a senior, and that he was chosen as the MPSA's North AAAA MVP for football, basketball, and baseball that same season?...OL Craig Jenkins' cousin is former MSU WR Justin Jenkins?...TE Jeremy Jones and WR Keon Humphries did not play football until their senior years in high school?...Incoming freshman TE Brandon Henderson's father, Keith, played for Georgia (1985-1988) and then for both the 49ers and Vikings in the NFL, and that Brandon is majoring in broadcasting?...Incoming freshman DL Kyle Love was born in The Philippines?...Incoming freshman DL Reggie Odom's father, Reginald, played football at USM from 1974-1977?...DL Deljuan Robinson was named the Memphis Touchdown Club's Player of the Year following his senior season at Hernando High School?Assuming you've learned at least a few things you didn't know before, you can now enter the gates at Scott Field this fall feeling just a bit smarter than you did a season ago.
