SEC Football Top 150 Players: No. 104, Nickoe Whitley, Mississippi State S

The SEC Blog will be counting down the top 150 players in the SEC every day, concluding on Aug. 30 at the start of the college football regular season.

No. 104: Nickoe Whitley, No. 5, Mississippi State, Safety

2011 Stats: 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, four interceptions

Strengths

Whitley is a hard-hitter with a nose for the football. He finished second on the Bulldogs with four interceptions last season, and accomplished that despite missing the final three games of the season. The rising junior proved last season that he has what it takes to be a star in the SEC.

Weaknesses

An Achilles injury forced Whitley to miss the final three games of 2011 and limited him this spring. He says that he will be 100 percent by the start of the season, but Achilles injuries are tough, and he's going to need a little bit of time to knock the rust off when toe meets leather this fall.

2012 Prediction

Assuming that he's 100 percent, Whitley is set to be one of the stars of the Mississippi State defense. The 6'1", 205-pounder has proven that he has a nose for the football, and isn't afraid to stick his nose in and be a difference-maker stopping the run. 

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