With the month-long recruiting dead period commencing this past Monday, Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and his staff can take a bit of a breather as they prepare their team for their upcoming Belk Bowl matchup against N.C. State.

One thing that can be said about the Bulldogs’ 2016 class so far is that it is consistent. Mullen and his staff have gotten 14 recruits to commit — two have signed their letter of intent — and all are three-star prospects according to the 247Sports Composite.

The class focuses on defense, but there are also tight ends and several versatile “athletes.” Mississippi State has relied on in-state recruiting with eight of their 14 commits hailing from Mississippi.

Let’s take a look at Mississippi State’s recruiting grades so far.

OFFENSE: B (7 TOTAL COMMITS)

Signing three tight ends is particularly interesting because Mississippi State and Dan Mullen’s offense is not exactly known for its use of a tight end. But that could be because the Bulldogs have not believed they had a playmaker there. North Carolina native Dontea Jones grades out the highest among the three tight end commits, but Jordan Thomas and Christian Roberson –both 6-foot-6 — are not far behind.

Two of the three “athletes” committed to Mississippi State are also expected to play offense. Mississippi native Nero Nelson, a 6-foot, 170-pound speedster, will likely play wide receiver and Korey Charles out of Florida, who graded out the highest of the three, projects at running back.

Finally, the Bulldogs addressed an offensive line that will be losing two key starters by adding in-state offensive tackles Greg Eiland of Philadelphia and Dareuan Parker from Southaven. Eiland is 6-7, 320 pounds and Parker is 6-5, 320 pounds.

DEFENSE: B+ (7 TOTAL COMMITS)

Mississippi State will be losing key players at all three levels of its defense after this season, which explains why Mullen and his staff targeted linemen, linebackers and backs for the 2016 class.

The two highest-rated players in the class are on the defensive side of the ball. Erroll Thompson, an outside linebacker from Florence, Ala., is the top recruit in the class. Thompson also had heavy interest from the Crimson Tide and other SEC schools.

Defensive end Marquiss Spencer committed to the Bulldogs at the end of November and is the biggest in-state recruit in Mississippi State’s class. Spencer is a great athlete with an impressive 6-5, 228-pounds frame. At 6-4, 210 pounds, Drelan Porter is another imposing edge rusher.

Defensive tackle Tre Brown and CB Lashard Durr are the two signed recruits. Durr is one of three defensive backs in the class 5-11 or taller. Cameron Dantzler (6-2) could end up on offense, but is projected to play cornerback or safety.

RECRUITING NEEDS

There are always holes that need to be filled in order to stay competitive in the SEC, but Mississippi State has done a decent job of reloading.

The class could use a dominant wide receiver like De’Runnya Wilson, especially with a new quarterback. A few more offensive linemen would help with three starters entering their senior season.

Linebacker is where the Bulldogs need the most help. One of Mississippi State’s starting linebackers this season is in his last year of eligibility and the other two could enter the NFL Draft. The Bulldogs signed only one linebacker, Leo Lewis, in 2014, and have only Erroll Thompson presently committed.