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Ross, Wilson form best WR tandem in Mississippi State history
By Dave Holcomb
Published:
Only one wide receiver has ever amassed 1,000 receiving yards in a single season in Mississippi State football history. Mardye McDole did it for the Bulldogs in 1978.
There is still an outside chance that Mississippi State could have two wide receivers reach that total this season.
Juniors Fred Ross and De’Runnya Wilson would have to post big numbers in the Belk Bowl against N.C. State for that to happen. But even if they fall short, they are easily the best receiver tandem in school history.
Ross is the closer of the two to 1,000 receiving yards. With 933 yards, he ranks third in Bulldogs single-season history. Ross will need 103 yards in the Belk Bowl to surpass McDole’s 1,035 yards from ’78.
The 6-foot-2 Ross is also breaking reception records. He became the first Mississippi State receiver with more than 80 catches in a single season in 2015. His 120 career catches ranks sixth in school history.
The 6-5 Wilson is currently fifth with 127 career receptions and second in TD catches with 21.
Wilson has been a touchdown machine in the last two seasons, with nine TD catches in each of the last two years. Wilson needs four more for the school record. He also had 54 catches and 822 yards in 2015.
Quarterback Dak Prescott would need a huge game against N.C. State. But if Ross gets 67 yards and Wilson reaches 178 yards, both receivers will join the single-season 1,000 yards club.
Such an accomplishment would leave little doubt that Ross and Wilson are the best receiver tandem in Bulldogs history.
The pairing, though, also has an argument for best tandem in the SEC.
The receivers work well together. Ross is considered the better route runner and more polished than the taller Wilson, who scouts believe has more untapped potential. Wilson often runs outside routes with Ross running in the middle, providing Prescott with two great targets in different areas of the field.
Barring injury, they should finish Nos. 1 and 2 on the school’s all-time list for catches and receiving yards — if they return for their senior seasons. Neither has announced their plans, which could be an early departure for the NFL Draft.
Heading into the bowl games, Ross and Wilson are ranked in the top six in receiving yards and catches among SEC receivers. Ross leads the conference in catches and has a chance to finish second in yardage. Wilson is second in touchdowns.
Ross made the coaches’ All-SEC first team while Wilson earned recognition on the All-SEC second team, making Mississippi State the only school with two receivers on the two teams.
The loss of Prescott will hurt the Bulldogs in 2016. But unless they decide to join their quarterback in the NFL Draft, Ross and Wilson should complete their college careers as the two most-accomplished receivers in Mississippi State history.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
