Five newcomers primed to break out for the Bulldogs

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State lost some of its most valuable pieces from last year. Its two best defenders – Benardrick McKinney and Preston Smith – are both in the NFL. Josh Robinson, who gained more than 1,500 yards of total offense, is with the Indianapolis Colts.

The Bulldogs have developed talent within the program to fill those holes. But they'll also need help from some newcomers.

Here is a look at the Bulldogs' top five newcomers for this season.

Shelby Christy

Two years ago, a tall, lanky wide receiver impressed during summer camp. Shelby Christy started 2013 as Mississippi State's most impressive freshman wide-out. A shoulder injury ended Christy's first year and De'Runnya Wilson broke out.

In 2014, a torn anterior cruciate ligament kept Christy on the sideline.

This year presents the first opportunity for the 2013 signee to take the field. He's moved to tight end and MSU needs the 6-foot-3 pass-catcher to show the talent he did two years ago.

Mississippi State tight ends have caught 72 passes over the last two years. The Bulldogs return only four of those receptions. Gus Walley owns all four.

Christy has an opportunity to carry the load.

Donald Gray

With new faces in spring camp, names aren't always associated with numbers yet. Fans and media were forced to learn who wore No. 6 – Donald Gray.

Gray became one of Dak Prescott's favorite targets in the spring. No. 6 became associated with big plays.

Mississippi State needs that ability to translate from the spring to the regular season.

Gray joins one of MSU's deepest positions at wide receiver from Copiah-Lincoln Community College. At 5-foot-10, Gray will be featured in the slot along with Gabe Myles. The duo will be asked to replace Jameon Lewis' 32 receptions from last year.

Lewis broke out in 2013 with 64 catches for 923 yards.

MSU had similar production from the slot position in 2014 when combining Lewis and Myles' numbers. They combined for 52 catches for 558 yards.

Gray should work his way into the mix this fall.

Dontavian Lee

The eyes of fans focused on Mississippi State's backfield during the spring. Dontavian Lee caught the attention of those fans.

He finished his first spring with 217 yards rushing, seven receptions for 52 yards and five touchdowns in the three scrimmages.

The 6-foot-1 running back enrolled at Mississippi State last year as an under-the-radar player when compared with Mississippi's Mr. Football and running back Aeris Williams.

He'll compete with the fellow redshirt freshman for a starting spot left by Josh Robinson, who led MSU with 1,203 rushing yards and also caught 28 passes for 370 yards.

Lee featured the best runs of any back and solid hands out of the backfield during the spring. He began as a darkhorse to replace Robinson. He'll begin the summer as one of the favorites.

Jamal Peters

There's a quote from Dan Mullen that follows Jamal Peters to Starkville.

"If he showed up on campus today, without stepping on the field, he might be on the two-deep rotation right now," Mullen said on National Signing Day in February. "He has a chance to make an immediate impact."

The need for Peters comes at safety as Mississippi State lost its two starters from last year in Jay Hughes and Justin Cox. Kendrick Market, who worked in as another primary contributor, could miss the majority of the season with a torn Achilles.

Peters is MSU's most talented incoming freshman, according to 247Sports. It just so happens he also plays the position that MSU needs to develop depth. It could be a matchup made in heaven – at least Mississippi State hopes so.

Gerri Green

Mullen raved about Jamal Peters in February, he did the same with Gerri Green in 2014. He called the linebacker the future face of the Bulldogs and everything that embodies the program.

Green will have to step into a position that's driven the program since Mullen arrived. He's the heir to Benardrick McKinney at middle linebacker. McKinney, now with the Houston Texans, led the Bulldogs in tackles the last two seasons. Beniquez Brown is expected to fill the production, but like McKinney in his redshirt freshman season, Green could be second on the team in tackles.

Mullen admitted during Orange Bowl media day last December that Green may have benefited from playing during his true freshman season, especially considering the absence of McKinney this year.

But there was also value in shadowing McKinney behind the scenes. In September, he could emerge as a star.

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