ES is playing hoops this year.

Junction John

Redshirt
Oct 22, 2014
3,249
0
0
I would rather him be focusing his time on the upcoming QB competition

but if he can rebound Howland can probably use him.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
59,731
30,449
113
Very little. He needs to pick one sport & give it 100% of his time.
 

Hump4Hoops

Redshirt
May 1, 2010
6,611
13
38
Probably walk-on level.

Bear was a basketball star in high school and couldn't get on the court during the most undermanned and untalented Ray years.
 

fishwater99

Freshman
Jun 4, 2007
14,073
54
48
I think he will play some off the bench.

Bear was a basketball star in high school and couldn't get on the court during the most undermanned and untalented Ray years.

He has the height that Bear doesn't possess to play the 4 and we need all the help we can get in the front court this year.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
59,731
30,449
113
He's 1" taller than Bear and hasn't played basketball since high school 2 years ago. He's coming in brand new in the middle of the season. If he gets any meaningful minutes, I'll be surprised. Meanwhile, he'll either be missing bowl practice or missing basketball practice on days the football team practices. Neither is good for him.
 

MsStateFan11

Redshirt
Nov 11, 2015
7
0
0
Staley was a much more talented Bball prospect than bear. Considering our front court depth right now I'm betting after a 3-4 weeks he will get 7-8 minutes a game.
 
Aug 26, 2015
4,054
284
83
A weird part of my brain was happy when we had Rick Ray because it kept the hybrid Football / Basketball players on the gridiron instead of the hardwood. Eric Moulds made the decision to stick with Football instead of Basketball, O'Neal Wilder decided to go with Track instead of Football, and thank God De'Runnya stayed with Football.

I wish Staley would focus on Football and try to bridge the gap between himself and Nicky Fitz this off season. I really think Staley is the better answer at QB but Fitzgerald has stayed clear of the injury bug and has a good bit more practice time under his belt than Staley---and you know how Mullen favors experience over better talent (Shump, enough said).
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
59,731
30,449
113
Listed heights are 6'6" for Staley and 6'5" for Bear. As for him being a better player, Bear was POTY for the state of Alabama and nobody has ever seen Staley play a minute at this level. He may or may not be a better player. Even if he is, he still may not crack the rotation.
 

ShrubDog

Redshirt
Apr 13, 2008
5,307
3
38
I do not have a problem with him playing both sports. Basketball can actually help him with fast twitch muscles, footwork, balance, explosiveness and staying in shape.

The season will be over in March. Now, the injury issue is a concern.
 
Last edited:

esplanade91

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2010
5,656
0
0
Listed heights are 6'6" for Staley and 6'5" for Bear. As for him being a better player, Bear was POTY for the state of Alabama and nobody has ever seen Staley play a minute at this level. He may or may not be a better player. Even if he is, he still may not crack the rotation.

Elijah Staley had offers to play basketball at MSU, Alabama, Auburn, Cincinnati, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgetown, Miami, UCF, Ole Miss, and VT, according to Rivals.
Bear has no recruiting profile on any website for basketball.

Elijah is/was a better prospect for basketball, but I don't think anyone is capable of playing QB in the SEC and moonlighting as a backup SF though. Especially without any off-season coaching.
 

patdog

Heisman
May 28, 2007
59,731
30,449
113
I don't think anyone is capable of playing QB in the SEC and moonlighting as a backup SF though. Especially without any off-season coaching.
I agree. He'll never reach anywhere near his potential in either sport if he tries to do both. You almost never see a player make an impact in both football and basketball (the exception being that guy South Carolina had a few years ago). And it would be even harder for a QB to do it.
 

johnson86-1

All-American
Aug 22, 2012
15,043
5,572
113
Listed heights are 6'6" for Staley and 6'5" for Bear. As for him being a better player, Bear was POTY for the state of Alabama and nobody has ever seen Staley play a minute at this level. He may or may not be a better player. Even if he is, he still may not crack the rotation.

My recollection is that Bear was strictly a power forward and Staley was more of a 3, or at least a stretch 4. Even if those heights are right (I thought Bear was 6'4" and Staley 6'7"), it's still a lot easier to contribute in the SEC as a 6'4"/6'5" power forward if you can also stretch the floor.

Without looking it up, I do think Staley was significantly lighter in high school. Not sure if he's still in basketball shape anymore.

Regardless, I think this is bad. We're probably going to gain a role player in basketball at the expense of stunting the development of a potentially stud QB. If Fitz wasn't there, I'd think it was terrible. I still with Staley would just stick to football. Even if he never surpasses Fitz, I'd rather he be as prepared as possible as a back-up than have another role player in basketball.
 

ShrubDog

Redshirt
Apr 13, 2008
5,307
3
38
I agree. He'll never reach anywhere near his potential in either sport if he tries to do both. You almost never see a player make an impact in both football and basketball (the exception being that guy South Carolina had a few years ago). And it would be even harder for a QB to do it.

It makes me wonder if he knows he doesn't have a real chance in beating out Fitz since he is not 100% committed.

Others who played both sports(non-QB's) are Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers.
 

esplanade91

Redshirt
Dec 9, 2010
5,656
0
0
I agree. He'll never reach anywhere near his potential in either sport if he tries to do both. You almost never see a player make an impact in both football and basketball (the exception being that guy South Carolina had a few years ago). And it would be even harder for a QB to do it.
I think it's possible to be a WR/RB and play guard, and I actually think training for both sports would be mutually beneficial for each for those positions only. Post play and QB'ing require waaaay too much book work and practice for someone to do both. I just can't picture someone like Dak or Chad Kelly having enough time to shoot around and practice drills.

Who knows. I can't remember any QB ever trying to play forward in the modern age. I'll say this though, the problem with 6'7'' QB's is they lack mobility. Even if he never logs minutes, working out with college basketball players is probably a positive for his elusiveness come summer practice.
 

Dawgtini

Redshirt
Aug 13, 2007
953
8
18
It makes me wonder if he knows he doesn't have a real chance in beating out Fitz since he is not 100% committed.

Others who played both sports(non-QB's) are Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham, Antonio Gates and Julius Peppers.
Charlie Ward - FSU and Matt Jones - Ark both qb's come to mind. Think ward also won the heisman and decided to forgo nfl and play for the Knicks.
 

Philly Dawg

Heisman
Oct 6, 2012
16,037
10,737
113
If he's not starting in football, he may prefer basketball but would probably like to see how he stacks up in our team before committing to anything.
 
Maroon and White

Latest

  1. 01 Maroon and White Mississippi State S Bralan Womack named to Freshman of the Year Watchlist
  2. 02 Maroon and White Scouting Ahead: Mississippi State at Texas Q&A
  3. 03 Maroon and White 2027 RB Christian Alexander sets high bar for senior season
  4. 04 Maroon and White Mississippi State adds DL Eddie Kelly Jr. through transfer portal
  5. 05 Maroon and White Former MSU players Jahron Manning and Malick Sylla sue NCAA for 2026 eligibility