As Bulldogs fans bide time until the Belk Bowl on Dec. 30, the coaching staff likely is looking further into the future.

College football is in its dead period of recruiting, but after it ends next month, Mississippi State still has some work to do. After evaluating the current roster and projecting the Bulldogs’ on-field needs in 2016 and 2017, here are Mississippi State’s top three positions of priority for the next recruiting cycle.

INTERIOR OL

Losing after 2015: Rufus Warren, Justin Malone, Damien Robinson

The Bulldogs are losing the left side of their starting offensive line, Warren and Malone, and only have redshirt freshmen on the roster to replace them.

Robinson didn’t start, but his departure leaves coach Dan Mullen very little depth at guard.

Although Mississippi State has two offensive tackles committed for 2016, the program still needs to beef up the middle of the line. The Bulldogs will lose five offensive linemen, including their starting center, right guard and right tackle after next season.

CORNERBACK

Losing after 2015: Kendrick Market, Will Redmond, Taveze Calhoun

Unfortunately, Market and Redmond ended the season on the sidelines with injuries, but the good news is Mississippi State has already done a decent job of replacing them. The Bulldogs really missed the two senior cornerbacks, but juniors Tolando Cleveland and Cedric Jiles filled in admirably.

High school cornerback Lashard Durr already signed his letter of intent to play at Mississippi State. Mullen would like to add a couple more corners to give the team depth in case more injuries hit the Bulldogs secondary in 2016.

RUNNING BACK

Losing after 2015: None

The team won’t lose junior starting running back Brandon Holloway, but the coaching staff has to determine if he is truly going to be the starter moving forward. It’s tough to tell because Holloway only had 79 attempts in 2015. Quarterback Dak Prescott led the Bulldogs with 148 attempts and 541 rushing yards.

Mississippi State will not be able to reply upon the passing game in the same way next season. Mullen must establish a running attack, which could come from an incoming freshman.

Other positions Mississippi State should target: WR, QB, LB,

CURRENT RECRUITING CLASS

Mississippi State’s official 2016 recruiting class includes just two official commitments but both are three-star defenders — cornerback Lashard Durr and defensive tackle Tre Brown. Both went to Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Wesson, Mississippi.

But, the Bulldogs have 13 other hard commits for the 2016 class. Four-star strong side defensive end Emmit Gooden out of Brownsville, Tennessee, leads the class.

OUTLOOK

Despite graduating 14 players, including three-year starting QB Dak Prescott, the Bulldogs don’t have a ton of needs to fill. The biggest holes are on the offensive line and at defensive back, but those positions were mostly covered in recruiting.

Tight end was another need, however, Mississippi State has three tight ends that are hard commits for the 2016 class.

Although the Bulldogs should continue addressing every position in order to have depth, they are returning eight starters on offense and eight on defense. That certainly makes it easier to transition out of the Prescott era.