SPORTS

Five under/overachievers for Mississippi State

Michael Bonner The Clarion-Ledger

STARKVILLE – Not every five-star prospect molds into an NFL draft pick. Walk-on's don't always remain on the bench.

Mississippi State built its first 10-win regular season with bricks of overachievers; from former walk-on Ben Beckwith to Josh Robinson, who went from sleeping in his car to the Indianapolis Colts.

This season presents another opportunity for players to shine from relatively nowhere. But it also provides a chance for those underachievers to produce.

Here's a look at a few Mississippi State's under/overachievers.

Under

Nick James

It's almost impossible to miss Nick James. He's 6-foot-5, 325 pounds. In the limited practices Mississippi State opens to the media, there's always at least a couple screaming matches between the defensive lineman and the coaching staff. Even around campus, it's difficult to overlook James in his white Chevy pickup with "88," "James" and MSU logos pasted on the hood, doors and tailgate.

His production is much easier to miss.

James arrived on campus as a four-star recruit with an unreachable ceiling. His massive size is matched with quick feet and good speed. It all has translated into 18 tackles through three years.

He played in eight games as a true freshman with six tackles, before redshirting his sophomore season to gain maturity.

Last year, James saw action in all 13 games and made 11 tackles.

MSU's online bio of James describes him as "one of the strongest players on the team" and possessing "all the physical tools to be a force along the line."

That's been true from the day he stepped on campus. It's time those attributes to lead to production.

Darrion Hutcherson

Only one tight end on Mississippi State's roster has a career catch. It's not Darrion Hutcherson, despite fans and teammates comparing him to NFL tight end Jimmy Graham.

Hutcherson hopes to join Gus Walley and his four receptions this season as an MSU tight end with a catch.

At 6-7, 260, Hutcherson possesses prototypical size for a tight end. He also has a basketball background like the Seattle Seahawks' Graham. Hutcherson had multiple Division II basketball offers coming out of high school.

The tight end came to MSU from Co-Lin with high expectations last year. He played within an offense that led the SEC in yards per game. Hutcherson didn't catch a pass within it.

It can only get better in 2015. It's just a matter of how much better.

Over

Justin Senior

Justin Senior grew up in Canada playing the football recognized by the international community, rather than the sport with touchdowns and extra points. When he finally walked onto the gridiron, he played defensive end.

Then he attended a camp at the Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, Virginia, where he moved to offensive line.

"At first, I hated," he said. "I'm not going to lie."

A few years later, Senior started at right tackle for the No. 1 college football team in the country. Growing up he didn't know Mississippi State existed. He was unaware of the SEC. He compared his first experience of high school football in Mississippi to arenas in the Canadian Football League.

Last year, he wasn't listed on the two-deep depth chart after spring practice. The only Canadian on the roster enters 2015 as a veteran on Mississippi State's offensive line. He's one of two returning starters. He'll pair with Justin Malone as leaders trying to protect Dak Prescott.

De'Runnya Wilson

De'Runnya Wilson has added quite a bit to his Mississippi State resume during his two seasons in Starkville.

He caught 47 passes for 680 yards and nine touchdowns last season. It made most forget about how Wilson arrived on campus in 2013.

Mississippi State needed help at wide receiver, but Wilson was behind veterans Jameon Lewis, Robert Johnson and Joe Morrow. Fred Ross -- like Wilson, a true freshman at the time -- was rated as the best first-year wideout on the team.

Meanwhile, Wilson featured the measurables of a No. 1 receiver, but as Mr. Basketball for Alabama, he was raw. In a program that prides itself on development, Wilson was a prime candidate to redshirt.

Instead, he played and caught 26 passes for 351 and three touchdowns.

Wilson enters his third season and has followed the learning curve of Chad Bumphis, MSU's all-time leading receiver. He'll make a run at the record if he plays four seasons.

Not bad for a raw basketball player.

Dan Mullen

In six seasons, Dan Mullen owns the third-most wins in Mississippi State history. With 46, he trails Jackie Sherrill's 75 and Allyn McKeen's 65. But Sherrill averaged 5.7 wins in his 13-year tenure. Mullen averages almost two more wins per season at 7.6. McKeen falls behind Mullen too averaging 7.2.

Mullen's .597 winning percentage is the best of any coach since 1955. He's the only coach during the last 60 years to boast a winning record during his tenure.

The wins come at a school that isn't accustomed to that type of success. Because of MSU's reputation, the nation continues to doubt the Bulldogs and the program built upon three-star recruits.

More than a few prognosticators—from Las Vegas to Athlon Sports -- predict Mississippi State to finish last in the SEC West this season.

For Mullen, it's the same old story.

For Mississippi State, it prefers its new tales of consistent success.

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