Life after Tim Tebow didn’t go so well for Florida. Neither did life after Cam Newton for Auburn or life after Johnny Manziel for Texas A&M.

However, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen isn’t afraid of life after Dak Prescott.

“There are two aspects to this,” Mullen said at the Bulldogs’ Pro Day last Thursday, according to GridironNow.com. “First of all, we’ve recruited well. And our staff does a really good job of developing the talent that we have. Second is the belief among our players. This guy may be gone and that guy may be gone, but inside of our building the expectations never changes. Our guys expect to win.

“There are guys in this program who have worked their tails off and have been waiting for this opportunity. There are a bunch of touchdown receptions, passing yards, rushing yards and sacks available for somebody who wants to claim them. They have a chance to seize a role, and I believe they are going to do it.”

Mullen, entering his eighth season in Starkville after serving as Florida’s offensive coordinator, came to Starkville in 2009. Tebow was still playing out his senior year, so Mullen wasn’t around when the Gators tried to rebound from his departure.

Still, Mullen feels like he has a viable replacement in redshirt sophomore Nick Fitzgerald.

“He’s got a lot of natural talent,” Mullen said. “He was our most athletic quarterback. He was our best running quarterback. A lot of people look at me funny when I say that because of what Dak did. But Nick is bigger, more athletic.

“He’s also learned a lot by being able to watch Dak Prescott.”