Five most important offensive MSU players in 2015
Editor's note: VOTE! You tell us who you think is the most important offensive player in the poll at the bottom of the story (if the poll is not visible, please refresh the page)
STARKVILLE -- Mississippi State's offense led the Southeastern Conference last year as the only squad to average more than 500 yards per game.
The Bulldogs offense lost major contributors from last seasons, including three starters along the offensive line, two starting wide outs and its leading rusher.
Mississippi State still has the potential to match its record-breaking numbers from 2014. It will need these five players to step up in 2015.
Fred Ross
Wide receiver may turn out to be Mississippi State's deepest position at least on the offensive side of the ball. But it needs to be. While MSU returns two of its top three wideouts, it also loses three of its top five. Jameon Lewis, Josh Robinson and Malcolm Johnson combined for 88 receptions for 1,130 yards or one-third of Prescott's passing yards.
Fred Ross finished third among Prescott targets with 30 receptions. His 489 yards and five touchdowns trailed only De'Runnya Wilson.
MSU has the depth at receiver and running back to make up for the loss of production through the air and on the ground. The most talent lies in the hands of Wilson and Ross. The two should complement each other in their third years in the program. With Prescott at quarterback, the trio could shape MSU into one of the best offenses in the country.
Rufus Warren
Rufus Warren follows the storyline of Jamaal Clayborn. A former tight end, Warren worked as the first-team left tackle in spring. He'll be challenged by junior college transfer Martinas Rankin, but the job appears to be his to lose.
Warren replaces Blaine Clausell, who started 25 games the last two seasons. He's also one of three new projected starters assigned with the responsibility of protecting Prescott. In some ways, Warren will be even more important than Clayborn, as he'll protect Prescott's blindside.
De'Runnya Wilson
Much like Mississippi State, De'Runnya Wilson introduced himself to the nation last year. After Jameon Lewis went down with an injury, Wilson took off as Dak Prescott's top target.
Wilson finished with 47 receptions for 680 yards and nine touchdowns. All three were team-highs. He tallied more than 70 yards in six games.
The 6-foot-5 wideout finished with at least 91 yards in MSU's final three games last year. He'll take that momentum into 2015 where outlets like Fox Sports are labeling the junior as one of the best wide outs in the country.
Prescott once called Wilson, "a quarterback's best friend." Without Lewis, and NFL draft picks Josh Robinson and Malcolm Johnson, Wilson needs to live up to that moniker.
Jamaal Clayborn
Dillon Day started all but two games at center since the emergence of Dak Prescott. Ben Beckwith started in place of Day last year. Both are gone heading into 2015.
Jamaal Clayborn will be asked to fill the void left by Day. He took nearly every snap with the first-team offense during the spring. Jocquell Johnson worked as the center on the second team, but wasn't as impressive. MSU coach Dan Mullen admitted, the program must develop depth at the position to be successful.
It all starts with Clayborn, who hasn't played center since high school. MSU might have the best quarterback in the league. It won't mean anything if he can receive the ball from his center.
Dak Prescott
The quarterback enters his fifth and final season at Mississippi State. The rare Mississippian who doesn't consume their Saturdays with college football could still likely place Prescott at the top of this list.
He's emerged as the best quarterback in the Southeastern Conference and one of the front-runners for the Heisman Trophy.
Mississippi State lost its top running back, three offensive lineman and two senior starting wide receivers, yet its offense could improve upon its record-setting 2014. It all falls on Prescott's shoulder. His escapebility in the pocket bolsters the offensive line. His feet improve MSU's rushing attack and his improved accuracy should make life easier on the Bulldogs' wide receivers.
Mississippi State will likely have more than 100 players, coaches and personnel on the sideline each Saturday. Twenty-two will start. But only one – Dak Prescott – carries the weight of the expectations for himself and MSU in 2015.
(Poll not available on the mobile app)
Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.