MSU INSIDER

It's easy to say head coaches are the reason why a team has a successful recruiting class.

Javon BellWR | 5-11, 170Ribault High(Jacksonville, Fla.)Named the region's Offensive Player of the Year by the Florida Times-Union. ... Caught 48 passes for 1,256 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. ... Given a two-star ranking and considered the nation's 146th best wide receiver by Scout.com. ... Originally committed to Florida International before switching. Also received an offer from ...

STARKVILLE –– With Friday’s revelation that Mississippi State will petition for Renardo Sidney’s reinstatement instead of appealing the NCAA’s findings on the freshman forward’s amateur status, all that’s left now is for the NCAA to decide what Sidney’s punishment will be.

The Columbus High School baseball team First-Pitch Banquet will be at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the school’s cafeteria. Former Columbus High, Itawamba Community College, and Mississippi State football standout Tyson Lee will be the guest speaker.

In college football, Emory Bellard is known as the father or godfather of the wishbone offense.Now he tells his story as the author of “Wishbone Wisdom, Emory Bellard: Texas Football Visionary” (as told to Al Pickett, State House Press, $19.95 trade paperback).Bellard came up with the “wishbone” or triple option offense as an assistant to legendary coach Darrell Royal at the University of Texas ...

Northeast Jones High School is known for sending its athletes to play Division I football. Linebacker Corvell Harrison will be the next Tiger to suit-up for a Southeastern Conference member school. Harrison signed on Wednesday with Dan Mullen’s Mississippi State Bulldogs.

STARKVILLE — Some folks might differ about the talent in the state of Mississippi, but that suits Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen just fine.

When Dan Mullen was introduced as the 32nd head football coach at Mississippi State University last year, he wanted to make one thing perfectly clear; he said he wanted everyone in Bulldog Nation to know he was dedicated to dominating the state in recruiting.

When Dan Mullen was hired to be Mississippi State's head coach on Dec. 10, 2008, he spoke early and often about recruiting the state of Mississippi. In his mind, a Mississippi State recruiting class that dominates within his state's borders can equal a championship program.

By Aaron Suttles Sports Writer TUSCALOOSA | When no one else was paying attention, Malcolm Johnson went to work. On sweltering summer days when most looked for the cover and cool of shade and air conditioning, Johnson tied a harness around his waist, at the end of which sat a 120-pound tire. He dragged that tire up and down the practice fields of Northridge High School.