Charles Cross gave Mississippi State their highest-drafted player since 1983 back in April, but are the Bulldogs’ 2023 NFL Draft prospects quite as bright? In amongst the cowbells and Mike Leach’s musings about insurgent warfare and pirates, who should you be watching out for when watching the Bulldogs on Saturdays this fall?
Mississippi State prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft
Mississippi State has produced a steady string of draftees dating back to 2010. While there’s still a whole season of college football to play, early signs point to them continuing that tradition in the 2023 NFL Draft. From a playmaking cornerback to the program’s first potential quarterback draftee since Dak Prescott, which Bulldogs players have the potential to hear their name called next April?
Emmanuel Forbes, CB
Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes led the Bulldogs with three interceptions last fall. Meanwhile, he tied the team lead with four pass breakups and a forced fumble. The 6’0″, 180-pound junior showcases exceptional ball skills, even against some of the nation’s top wide receivers.
He boasts impressive speed — both forwards and in his backpedal — and has the hip fluidity to make seamless transitions. While his athletic foundations make him impactful in man coverage, Forbes also showcases the football IQ to be potent as a zone coverage corner.
Will Rogers, QB
When you’re a quarterback in Mike Leach’s offense, you know you’re going to sling it. A lot. Will Rogers made 683 pass attempts last season, completing 73.9% of his passes for 4,739 yards and 36 touchdowns.
The Mississippi State QB has shown to be incredibly accurate, while boasting an arm that can generate velocity to fit the ball into tight windows. Rogers also shows an impressive ability to read the field, not getting locked onto his first read. There are areas for improvement, but there are also clear alluring tools as a prospect.
LaQuinston Sharp, C
A former JUCO guard, LaQuinston Sharp has been a significant part of the Mississippi State offensive line since his arrival in 2019. While he saw multiple starts at guard between 2019 and 2020, Sharp became the Bulldogs’ starting center for the 2021 season.
One of the top centers in the SEC last season, Sharp’s granting of an additional year of eligibility gives him an opportunity to establish himself in the 2023 NFL Draft class. A mauling offensive lineman with impressive agility from his 6’3″, 305-pound frame, he also has a solid anchor.
Randy Charlton, EDGE
A multi-year starter for UCF, Randy Charlton transferred to Mississippi State at the end of 2020. The 6’3″, 265-pound pass rusher had a standout first season in Starkville, tallying five tackles for loss, four sacks, and a forced fumble.
Charlton showcases some pop in his hands on contact and plays the game with a relentless strength at the point of attack. Charlton also has a nose for the ball and can sift through traffic to get to it. While he doesn’t flash elite athleticism, Charlton can stunt inside as a pass rusher and also backpedal into coverage.
Kwatrivous Johnson, OT
With Cross headed to the NFL, his replacement at left tackle is the subject of a heated training camp battle. At present, it appears that veteran offensive lineman Kwatrivous Johnson will emerge as the starting left tackle. The opportunity will allow the behemoth OT to elevate his 2023 NFL Draft stock.
At 6’7″ and 315 pounds, Johnson has the size to be an imposing roadblock at the tackle position. Meanwhile, he possessing excellent athletic ability relative to his size. Johnson has shown explosion off the snap.
Jo’quavious Marks, RB
There’s a popular misconception that being a running back in the “Air Raid” offense is a death knell for your draft stock. However, Jo’quavious Marks should still attract attention in the 2023 NFL Draft.
In addition to his skills as a rusher, Marks is a highly experienced and proficient pass catcher. Last season, he racked up 502 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, the system also requires the ability to pass protect. Both are key parts of evaluating the RB position for the NFL level.
Dillon Johnson, RB
While Marks led the Bulldogs RB room in carries and touchdowns last season, Dillon Johnson had a team-high 485 rushing yards at 5.4 yards per carry. Furthermore, Johnson surpassed 400 receiving yards.
Although Marks is a speedier back, at 6’0″ and 215 pounds, Johnson has a more substantial frame to meet the rigors of the NFL. His physicality is apparent in his ability to lower his shoulder and bulldoze his way through defenders. Furthermore, he displays impressive leg drive to gain additional yardage.
Decamerion Richardson, CB
While his teammate Forbes is drawing early 2023 NFL Draft national attention, Decamerion Richardson has been drawing rave reviews from inside the program for his performances in spring camp. The allure with the junior cornerback is easy to see. At 6’2″ and boasting 34″ arms, Richardson’s put together like a lab-built CB prospect. The Mississippi State corner also has excellent speed and overall athletic ability. As he steps up to replace NFL-bound Martin Emerson, Richardson could become a household name this fall.
Jaden Walley, WR
With Makai Polk departed to the NFL, Jaden Walley is the top returning receiver to Mississippi State. The junior WR tallied 628 yards and six touchdowns last year, building off an impressive freshman campaign. He’ll likely be the go-to guy for Rogers in the Bulldogs’ offense this fall.
While Walley showcases some speed, burst, and elusiveness as an after-the-catch threat, one of the most impressive aspects of the 6’0″, 180-pound pass catcher’s game is his physicality both at the catch point and during his route running.
Tyrus Wheat, EDGE
A former JUCO standout at Copiah-Lincoln, Tyrus Wheat has been terrorizing offensive lines since arriving at Mississippi State in 2020. With nine tackles for loss and six sacks last season, he’s the most productive returning front seven player for the Bulldogs.
Wheat is a 6’2″, 265-pound nightmare who plays with excellent strength and leverage. While his game is predicated on tenacity, strength, and a red hot motor, the 2023 NFL Draft prospect also flashes the athletic ability to drop into coverage and be impactful on stunts and twists.
Marcus Banks, CB
Used sparingly during his three seasons at Alabama, cornerback Marcus Banks has two years of remaining eligibility. Thus, he may be considered a long shot to be a 2023 NFL Draft prospect.
While he’s far from a statistical standout, Banks snagged his first career interception last season. As Mississippi State looks for Emerson’s replacement, the coaching staff has praised Banks’ football intelligence, speed, and fluidity of movement during spring practices.
Nathan Pickering, DT
At 6’4″, 300 pounds, Mississippi State’s Nathan Pickering is a gap-plugging defensive tackle prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft class. However, he’s also shown himself more than capable of getting into the backfield to be impactful. During his Bulldogs career, Pickering has tallied 15 tackles for loss and nine sacks. This is a result of a quick first step and generally impressive athletic profile combined with good handwork and football instincts.