Bulldogs to take turn at SEC Media Days
Like thunder rumbling in the distance, Southeastern Conference Media Days are a sign that the storm that is the college football season is coming.
Mississippi State takes its turn at the annual event in Hoover, Alabama, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. today when head coach Dan Mullen and seniors Martinas Rankin, Donald Gray and Dez Harris become the centers of attention.
This year marks the ninth year that Mullen has stepped to the podium as head coach of the Bulldogs. That's the second-longest streak in the SEC, only behind Alabama's Nick Saban.
It'll be the first Media Days appearances for Rankin, Gray and Harris. The choice of those three were a collaborative effort between Mullen and MSU Associate Athletic Director of Communications Bill Martin.
Instead of sending junior standouts such as quarterback Nick Fitzgerald or running back Aeris Williams, State elected to go with the senior trio.
“There were several guys on this team that could have represented us at Media Days, which is a good thing,” Martin said. “We chose to go the senior route with three guys who have paid their dues. One is a graduate already in Donald Gray. Another one is likely going to be our highest draft pick in Martinas Rankin, then, needing a defensive representative, you have a guy like Dez Harris that is a senior and has a firm grasp of the new defense under (defensive coordinator) Todd Grantham and he'll be great to speak about the new defense.”
Today gives Rankin, Gray and Harris a chance to break into the spotlight. It's a place that none of the three have ever really had to be in before.
Gray, a wide receiver, was often in the shadow of Fred Ross. Rankin, an offensive lineman that saw plenty of playing time a year ago, will be one of the key members of State's offensive front this season.
Harris, a linebacker, will be counted on to lead MSU's defense after the departures of several seniors from a year ago.
Martin said each player is ready to have their day in the sun.
“All three of them are looking forward to it and are excited about it,” Martin said. “We're not going to take anybody that doesn't want to be there or won't be comfortable doing it. Before we even had the final say so, we went to all three and asked if they'd like to represent us at SEC Media Days. All three said, ‘Absolutely.'”
It didn't hurt that MSU has a track record of its Media Days attendees becoming stars.
“One of the things that helps is they've seen the other guys do it,” Martin said. “We've (sent) Fred Ross and Dak Prescott. I told them all about how Fletcher Cox went to this event a few years back. So did Johnthan Banks. Those are guys that you can look at and see where they all are now.”
While Rankin, Gray and Harris answer questions, much of the attention will likely be on Mullen's feet if recent history is any indication.
It has become a yearly tradition for MSU's leader to bust out a new, fashionable pair of tennis shoes each year at SEC Media Days. Will Mullen once again be sporting a pair of eye-catching kicks today?
“Stay tuned,” Martin said.