With so many talented and experienced players gone for in 2015 for Dan Mullen, he knows he and his staff have to build depth on both lines of scrimmage, and quickly.

The Bulldogs currently have 10 commitments in the 2016 recruiting class, and Mullen and his staff are already putting together a very nice group.

Here are MSU’s top five realistic prospects in the 2016 recruiting class:

1. Four-star safety Deontay Anderson: The 6-1, 192-pound safety is almost as good as it gets in a high school prospect. Anderson brings the hammer on ball carriers, and MSU will go toe-to-toe with Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M and Georgia for his services. Should MSU land Anderson, it would be a massive recruiting feat, especially dipping down into talent-rich Texas and stealing him away. There may not be a better defensive back with better closing speed and ball skills in high school football.

2. Four-star DE Damion Dickens: The No. 62 overall player in the country is seriously looking MSU’s direction, and it appears he’s the Bulldogs’ to lose. The Lexington, Mississippi, prospect’s frame will remind you of an outside linebacker at 6-4, 225 pounds. Speed and athleticism is the name of Dickens’ game, and Manny Diaz would be thrilled to land his services his first year back on the job.

3. Four-star CB Nigel Knott: The Madison, Mississippi, native is highly coveted by some of the best defenses in the country, including SEC powers Alabama and LSU, as well as MSU’s rival Ole Miss. Knott has incredible change of direction skills and quickness, and he has nice size at 5-11, 175 pounds. SEC defensive coordinators like their cornerbacks bigger in order to cover physical receivers. Should MSU wrestle Knott away from other SEC West powers and Oregon, it would be a huge recruiting win. Knott is a player!

4. Four-star OLB Jeremiah Moon: Aside from having one of the coolest names in the recruiting cycle — Moon is quite the beast at outside linebacker. The Birmingham, Alabama, native may not make it outside the state, but if he does, MSU has an excellent shot. Along with the Bulldogs, Auburn is going hard after him, but most think he ends up at Alabama. So, the story is nobody knows what will happen with Moon. He’s currently ranked as the nation’s No. 102 overall player.

5. Four-star OT Scott Lashley: Trust me Mississippi State fans, you want this cat. Scott Lashley is 6-6, 300 pounds, and he’s a future staple at offensive tackle. The good news is he’s MSU’s to lose at this point. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Ole Miss have also offered Lashely, and it’ll be a battle to the end. Lashley attended MSU’s Junior Day event.