(Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Senior Jarvis Varnado entered his freshman year as a scrawny, long psuedo-athlete with little conditioning, little offense and a keen eye for blocking shots. He wasn't ranked in the nation's top 100 recruits, and he served as a backup as a freshman.
As a sophomore, Varnado grabbed some of the league's limelight. In just his second year as a collegiate player, and first as a starter, he tied Shaquille O'Neal's SEC single-season block record with 157 swats to lead the nation and garner National Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Last year was much the same, with improved offense. Varnado stands 12th in the league's returning scorers and 4th in field-goal percentage. He also is one of the league's most efficient rebounders and increased his blocking total to 170 - more than over 300 Division 1 schools and again leading the nation and earning National Defensive Player of the Year honors.
And he's the nation's best walk-on, and one of the best of all time.
That's right. He's a walk-on.
After his experimentation with the NBA draft last spring/summer, Varnado learned that MSU had the chance to sign Renardo Sidney and John Riek, both of which are former top five players. Knowing that would put State over the scholarship limit, Varnado offered to give up his scholarship.
Hard to find positive stories involving athletes in the presses nowadays.
As a team, the Bulldogs didn't expect much going into last year. The team had lost one of the most dynamic duos to play in the league this decade in Jamont Gordon and Charles Rhodes, and were starting a freshman point guard.
After an average non-conference season, the Bulldogs pulled some upsets and finished third in the West, far worse than they were used to. However, a spirited march through the SEC Tournament landed them in the Big Dance and gave Rick Stansbury more than 20 wins yet again.
This year is different. Expectations are very high for Stansbury, as the team returns every significant player and loses only one benchwarmer. With the addition of former top five player John Riek and the possible inclusion of infinitely-talented Renardo Sidney, the Bulldogs have the school's second Final Four appearance in sight.
Despite losing just one player, the Bulldogs' signing class was actually pretty sizeable.
Renardo Sidney
(#9 overall - #2 PF - 5 stars - 6'11" - 255lbs)
Sidney is repeatedly mentioned as the nation's most talented recruit. Questions exist about his effort level, but his talent level simply can't be matched.
Although he's been cleared by the NCAA academically, his amateur status has been a long, ugly fight throughout the summer and continues to be in doubt.
Whether or not he plays for State, every scout in the nation knows Sidney would dominate in college. His shooting touch is extremely rare for a big-man, he would be the best-passing big-man in the collegiate game and he is a massive scoring threat.
If he receives clearance, he could elevate MSU from a deep-March team to one that could challenge for a title. Look for him to start immediately if he were to be declared elligible.
John Riek
(C - 4 stars - 7'2" - 240lbs)
Riek also faced challenges to his amateur status, and will sit nine games as punishment.
Those nine game will serve him well, however, as he is still recovering from an ACL tear that took his stock from Top Five to nearly-forgotten prep-school player.
Riek is much like Varnado when he entered college: raw offensively but with great size, rebounding and defending skills. His wingspan alone is a force to be reckoned with, and should provide a tremendous impact for the team when he is elligible.
Riek likely won't start, but will be a force off the bench.
Shaunessy Smith
(#26 SG - 3 stars - 6'5" - 180lbs)
Smith comes out of high school as one of the most heralded shooters to ever graduate from the state of Mississippi.
His size and body are beneficial to him, and his shooting touch is outstanding. If that touch can translate effectively to the college game, Smith should contribute immediately for the Bulldogs.
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