Four Bulldogs Invited to NFL Combine
As the NFL season just commenced this past Sunday with the Kansas City Chiefs defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII, the next chapter is already starting for hundreds of 2024 NFL Draft prospects.
321 of these potential future faces of the league were invited to the NFL Combine on Tuesday morning, including four Mississippi State Bulldogs. These four players were bright lights in Mississippi State's rough 5-7 season, which eventually led to a nearly entire new coaching staff for the future.
Wide receiver Lideatrick "Tulu" Griffin led the Bulldogs in receptions (50), yards (658--13.4 per catch) and touchdowns (4). He also ran the ball 17 times for 74 yards (4.4 yards per carry) and another score.
Defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy tallied 35 tackles this past season, including 3.5 for loss, and also recorded 2.5 sacks. The fifth-year senior's season was shortened in 2022, but in just five games he logged 15 tackles, including five for loss, and two sacks.
Linebacker Nathaniel "Bookie" Watson totaled a whopping 137 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks in 2023. He led the entire SEC in tackles and sacks and was named the AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Some additional honors he earned this season include AP All-American Third Team, All-SEC Coaches First Team and AP All-SEC First Team honors.
Cornerback Decamerion Richardson finished this past season third on the team in tackles with 79, including one for loss, and also added a sack. Richardson was among the brightest lights in the secondary, as he led Mississippi State in pass breakups with seven.
