What makes Will Redmond a projected first-round pick?

STARKVILLE -- Will Redmond smiled when he received the news Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, ESPN's Todd McShay ranked the Mississippi State corner as the 32nd best prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft. It would make Redmond a first-round draft pick. MSU hasn't had player selected in the first round since 2012 with Fletcher Cox.

"It means a lot to me. He's been doing it a long time" Redmond said. "He knows what he's doing."

McShay described Redmond as: "One of the best pure cover corners in this class, Redmond has two interceptions in his first four games of 2015, his first season as a full-time starter. He shows excellent quickness and agility, which is why he gives up little separation in man-to-man coverage."

Redmond, at 6-feet, 186 pounds, offers good size at the position and leads the Bulldogs with two interceptions through four games. The senior could have had another against Southern Miss, but he mistimed his leap.

Redmond also leads MSU cornerbacks with 19 tackles, which is sixth on the team.

"I think he tackles well," MSU cornerback coach and former NFL player Deshea Townsend said. "For a guy on the outside that tackles like that it peaks everyone's interest. Especially in that league, playing in that league and coaching in that league, guys really tackle and it's always the most important thing."

Redmond finished with 51 tackles last season. He trailed on Taveze Calhoun, who finished with 53. Calhoun started every game last season. Redmond didn't start, but also led the team with three interceptions.

"What I know about Will Redmond is he's a very hard worker," MSU defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. "He takes this game very seriously. He plays this game at a very, very high level in practice. He's a very physical player. He's obviously blessed physically with length and speed, which are unique combination at corner."

Mississippi State has a legacy of producing NFL-talented corners. The biggest name among them is Fred Smoot in 2001 in the second round. Johnthan Banks and Darius Slay were second-round draft picks in 2013.

The Bulldogs haven't had a corner selected in the first round since 1996. The Chicago Bears picked Walt Harris 13th overall.

"It means a lot to me," Redmond said. "It's early in the season. You never know what happens. You can't really say to much. I thank him. That's a good accomplishment right there.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.