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Just Another Bulldog Minute: Former State Stars Preparing for NFL Draft

Originally posted on FanNation Cowbell Corner
By Mason Woods | Last updated 2/2/24

As the NFL Draft draws closer, prospects all around the nation are doing all they can to boost their stocks ahead of the big day.

This week, four former Mississippi State Bulldogs are suiting up in all-star games and looking to exactly that.

Linebacker Nathaniel "Bookie" Watson and defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy will take the field in the Senior Bowl this Saturday as the pair looks to hopefully make themselves more well known on NFL radars.

Watson is viewed by many as a second or third round prospect, but a solid performance in both practices and in the game on Saturday in Mobile could change that for the SEC's leading tackler in 2023.

For Crumedy, he has an opportunity to truly make himself some money at the Senior Bowl. Viewed mostly as a late round or even undrafted player, the Hattiesburg native showed in his limited time with the Bulldogs his violent hands and strong first punch.

The jump from undrafted to a potential fourth or fifth round selection could be massive for Crumedy, who, so far, has impressed in Mobile.

Outside of the Senior Bowl, two fellow former Bulldogs will be putting their talents on display in the Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas. Lideatrick Griffin and Nathan Pickering, who are both thought to be late round picks if selected at all, have the chance to boost their stocks with strong performances.

For Griffin, he needs to show his skill set outside of the return game. He was arguably one of the nation's best from that standpoint, but needs to prove his versatility to NFL scouts in order to move up draft boards.

Pickering was solid in his time in Starkville, but like his former teammate, needs to show more consistency for a team to potentially draft him.

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