BULLDOG BIO: Gabe Myles
Mississippi State and the city of Starkville are in Gabe Myles' blood.
The MSU wide receiver is the son of former Bulldog cornerback Eddie Myles. Gabe starred at Starkville High School during his prep career. Now, after all that, Gabe Myles has just one season left to play football in his hometown as he is staring down the barrel of his senior year.
Myles has had his share of ups and downs for the Bulldogs. So exactly what will it take for Myles to finish his Mississippi State career on a high note in his final year in maroon and white?
What we know
Myles can impact football games any number of ways.
In 2014 and 2015, he got involved in the Bulldog running game from time to time, rushing a total of 11 times for 46 yards and a touchdown over those two years. He even attempted a couple of passes in those two seasons, completing one for 11 yards.
Last season though, Myles' role was simply catching passes. That's where he has found the most success at MSU. He struggled in 2016, but Myles showed in the two years prior that he can be a pest to opposing defenses when it comes to the air attack.
What we don't know
As mentioned previously, Myles had a rough go of it in 2016. It all started in an early season game against South Carolina.
“There was a drop against South Carolina when we were in the two-minute drill,” Myles said this past spring. “I had a dig. The ball was coming and it was thrown perfectly by (MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald). I'm looking it in thinking, ‘This is me. I'm catching this and going to get on upfield,' then I dropped it. I was like, ‘I'm messing up,' then I dropped another one later in the game. The play didn't count, but it was a wide-open go ball, and I bobbled it.
“After those two drops, it was like, ‘You've got to be able to make those plays.'”
Myles admitted he wasn't the same the rest of the year. The numbers showed that.
Myles only caught eight passes for 63 yards in 2016. He never got in the end zone.
He says he's over the mental struggle that came from dropping passes last season, but only time will tell for sure.
Notable
Myles has found success both on and off the field at MSU. Everyone is aware of the impact Myles has had on the gridiron, but he is also a three-time member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. Myles is majoring in kinesiology.
The best case
MSU is banking on Myles getting back to something closer to the production of 2014 and 2015.
He'll likely get the opportunity to do just that. Now that former big-time receiving threat Fred Ross has graduated, and with fellow receiver Malik Dear's status up in the air following offseason knee surgery, Myles will probably have plenty of footballs thrown his way.
Myles doesn't really have to do anything spectacular for the Bulldogs. Just giving MSU quarterback Nick Fitzgerald another target he can confidently throw the football to would be huge.
As long as Myles isn't dropping the ball anymore, he has the speed and athleticism to turn catches into big moments for the Bulldogs.
The worst case
If Myles drops a pass or two early this season, it would probably be hard to keep thoughts of last year's struggles out of his head. That's probably the worst thing that could happen for Myles is for him to begin thinking too much again, as he admittedly did last year.
The good news for MSU is that Myles does so much more for the team than just produce on the field. Myles' personality of being uplifting and positive has a huge impact on his teammates.
Even if he encounters tough times on the field, he can still benefit the team.
(Editor's Note: Leading up to the start of Mississippi State football training camp on July 25, the Starkville Daily News will take a look at several of the key pieces for the 2017 Bulldogs. Today, the SDN profiles wide receiver and former Starkville High School player Gabe Myles.)