Traditionally, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen has eased incoming freshmen into the lineup, not using the players much in their first year.

There were quite a few exceptions in 2015 as four freshmen made a significant impact.

Player Position Games
Jamal Peters S 12
Malik Dear WR 11
Mark McLaurin DB 12
Justin Johnson WR 11

There were other impactful performances from redshirt freshmen, but as far as true freshmen go, these four guys did the heavy lifting for Mississippi State.

OFFENSIVE IMPACT

As shown in the chart, the Bulldogs were hoping to have young contributors mostly at the wide receiver position. Behind Dak Prescott’s great season, Mississippi State was able to get that.

Dear caught 23 passes for 226 yards and two TDs. Johnson had five receptions for 41 yards and a score.

Another first-year wideout, Donald Gray, was a big-play weapon. He had 21 catches for 386 yards, averaging over 18 yards per catch. Gray was a part of the 2015 recruiting class, but as a community college transfer, he was considered a sophomore.

DEFENSIVE IMPACT

Mississippi State also needed to replenish the back end of its defense. Then, add in all the injuries to the secondary, and there were quite a few opportunities for freshmen defensive backs to get some playing time.

The Bulldogs’ top recruit of the 2015 class, Jamal Peters, shined. He made 25 total tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Peters also had a sack and two pass defenses.

Mark McLaurin made 20 total tackles and broke up three passes.

REDSHIRTS

Four-star inside linebacker Leo Lewis played well on special teams in summer practices, but ultimately redshirted. He will be called upon in 2016 to help replace the departed Beniquez Brown.

Nick Gibson, who was also a four-star commit in 2015, redshirted as well. He could be the biggest competition to Brandon Holloway for the starting running back role.

OVERVIEW

Overall, this class probably had the biggest immediate impact of any since Mullen has been at Mississippi State.

It would have been nice to see what Gibson could do at running back, but having him an extra year should help. The same goes for Lewis at linebacker. The Bulldogs would have loved for Brown to stay, but at least Lewis will still be considered a freshman next season.

Mississippi State also developed enough freshmen talent at wide receiver and defensive back to be confident that next year’s sophomores can fill in for the departed seniors at those positions.

There is a particularly big hole at wide receiver with junior De’Runnya Wilson leaving for the NFL Draft. But Dear, Johnson and Gray, have appear capable of filling that void.