SPORTS

Five Bulldogs with something to prove in 2015

Michael Bonner
The Clarion-Ledger

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's success last year placed a target on the Bulldogs heading into 2015. As MSU's season opener against Southern Miss on Sept. 6 approaches, the target is becoming smaller and smaller.

Each new day seemingly brings a new doubter questioning Mississippi State's ability to repeat its success. It's placed a collective chip on the shoulders of the Bulldogs, but there are five individuals with more to prove than others.

Here are five Bulldogs with the most to prove.

Devon Bell

Mississippi State solved its kicking problems last year when Evan Sobiesk made 12 of 14 field goal attempts. The issues resurfaced when Sobiesk left the team to pursue dental school after the 2014 season.

The responsibility falls on the leg of Devon Bell.

MSU removed Bell from field goal kicking last year after he struggled in 2013, making 6 of 14 attempts. In 2012, Bell was better, making 14 of 21.

The senior has always been true from inside 30 yards with a career percentage of 89 percent (8-9). However, his percentage drops to 46 percent (12-26) on attempts beyond 30 yards.

Manny Diaz

Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has impressed at Mississippi State before. In 2010, he helped MSU to top 25 rankings in scoring defense, rushing defense and tackles for loss. Last year at Louisiana Tech, his defense led the country in turnovers created.

However, flaws appear on his resume while at Texas. He was fired two games into his third season with the Longhorns. And in his final game at Texas, BYU rushed for 550 yards.

Mississippi State owned strong defenses under former defensive coordinator Geoff Collins. Unlike Texas' issues with BYU, MSU struggled through the air last season. It had the worst pass defense in the SEC allowing 272 yards per game.

Diaz's Bulldogs at Louisiana Tech intercepted 26 passes last year, which tied for the most in the country. Another year like that will prove his struggles at Texas were a fluke and his success at MSU and Louisiana Tech is his true identity.

Jamaal Clayborn

Jamaal Clayborn hasn't played center in a college football game. Yet, he'll be tasked with the responsibility of getting the ball to quarterback Dak Prescott, one of the best players in the Southeastern Conference.

Center has been a position of strength for Mississippi State the last four seasons. Dillon Day, now with the Denver Broncos, started as a freshman and handled the spot until last year.

Clayborn followed Day's path and played as a freshman at guard. However, he regressed in his sophomore season, seeing action in only four games.

The workload will increase in 2015. Clayborn emerged as the starting center after spring practice. There's a wide distance between he and backup Jocquell Johnson.

It's up to Clayborn to take advantage of the opportunity.

Chris Jones

The hype evolved to reality in Chris Jones' freshman season in Starkville. It dissipated in Year 2 and Jones had to listen to it throughout 2014.

While Preston Smith exploded into a second-round NFL draft pick, Jones slumped during his sophomore year. His tackles dropped from 32 to 26, and his tackles for loss were cut in half to 3.5.

Jones signed with Mississippi State as a five-star recruit. He publicly talked about his goal of becoming a top 5 NFL draft pick. His freshman season provided little to debate that.

His sophomore production raised questions of his NFL value. There's little doubt Jones possesses the talent of a first-round pick. He has 2015 (and if necessary, 2016) to prove it.

Dak Prescott

The nickname "Dakman and Robinson" emerged for Prescott and Josh Robinson last year. Robinson's gone so a new superhero may pertain to Prescott, specifically the theme of Spiderman: With great power comes great responsibility.

Prescott is the president of the program. He'll get the praise for the wins. He'll be blamed for the losses. If Mississippi State returns to the elite of the SEC, he'll be recognized as the primary reason why – and rightfully so.

The quarterback returned for a fifth season to win a national championship but also improve his skills. Ultimately, the senior wants to play in the NFL. He filed paperwork with the league last year, but decided to return once he received a draft grade.

Prescott enters 2015 with something to prove to two separate groups. The first consists of those who doubt Mississippi State. The second doubts Prescott as an NFL quarterback.

Success on the field would silence both critics.

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