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Interview with Dexter McCluster at the Senior Bowl (01.25.10)

SCOUT'S TAKE

Pros: Much like Percy Harvin, McCluster is an all-purpose offensive threat that can hurt you running the ball out of multiple formations, as well as lining up at quarterback, receiver and return man. The obvious difference between the two is that Harvin is a much bigger and powerful player, whereas the 5’7’ 160-pound McCluster is a tiny performer, which defenders have a hard time seeing in traffic. Years ago, more NFL teams would’ve shied away from taking a shot on such a small athlete, but as the pro game has slowly evolved to where offenses are now incorporating elements of the Wildcat and various read-option plays, McCluster has some definite value.

Cons: As a receiver, the diminutive weapon has terrific hands to catch the ball away from his body, but might have some problems getting off the line of scrimmage in traditional sets. His size may make him difficult to see on deeper routes, which probably makes McCluster a more viable option on short screens and quick out routes. His ball security has also been suspect when running in traffic. McCluster tends to hold the ball in the wrong arm (opposite sideline) when running down the sidelines. Durability issues do exist here with the senior, who has missed time with shoulder and ankle injuries.

Our View: At the next level, the electrifying playmaker projects as a jack-of-all-trades role player who will be at his best with limited snaps. His best assets are his fearlessness in how he quickly reads his blocks and attacks the middle of a defense along with his fluid running style and quickness in and out of his breaks. His second gear in the open field make him a big play threat. If used properly, the little Rebel can excel in a Leon Washington-type role.

2009 Preseason: McCluster is the definition of an all-purpose wide receiver; he can catch, rush, and return kicks. He is immensely fast and agile and shows excellent playmaking ability. McCluster and Florida’s Percy Harvin were the only players to rank in the top ten in the SEC in rushing yards, receiving yards, receptions, and all-purpose yards. McCluster led the Rebels in rushing with 655 yards and in rushing touchdowns with six. He was also tied for the team lead in receptions with 44, while gaining 625 yards and a score. He finished the season seventh in the SEC in all-purpose yards with 98.5 per game. The offense will once again run, and pass, through McCluster in 2009.

NEWS

Senior Bowl: Dexter McCluster (Mississippi) was one of the stars of the day.  He is extremely explosive, and a player that I’ve frequently referred to as Percy Harvin-Light.  His lack of size is a concern for scouts, but get him in the open field and it’s over.  McCluster is not the most polished receiver, but has been improving in that area.  He was getting coached up on the sidelines, and it seemed like he was soaking it all in.  There are a few players that get you on the edge of your seat when they have the football— and Dexter McCluster is certainly one of them. – Draft Guys (01.26.10)

01.02.10 - Dexter McCluster gave Mississippi fans a finale to remember, rushing for 182 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 2-yard run on a direct snap with 4:03 left as the Rebels beat Oklahoma State (No. 19 BCS, No. 21 AP) 21-7 in the Cotton Bowl on Saturday. McCluster became the first player in SEC history with more than 1,000 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in one season. McCluster finished with 1,170 yards rushing and 520 receiving.

11.20.09 - McCluster's brush with death and serious injury made him re-examine his life and his faith. You can watch his heartfelt testimony on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=hWsGL1lbmHk. It explains why McCluster embraces each day with a smile. He plays with joy, and it has been reflected in his last three SEC games, in which he has gained a combined 591 yards rushing (8.6 yards per carry) and 196 yards receiving (13 yards per catch) with six touchdowns (five rushing, one receiving). His four-touchdown, school-record 282 yards rushing performance in last Saturday's 42-17 victory over Tennessee still has Vols coach Lane Kiffin singing McCluster's praises. "A lot of times when you're small and quick, you don't have that top-end speed," Kiffin said. "I assume he (McCluster) is going to be a 4.3 (40-yard dash) guy at the (NFL) combine. What I saw on Saturday was a first-round draft choice. He reminds me a lot of (Titans running back) Chris Johnson. He'll definitely get a shot at running back." This Saturday, stopping McCluster is the problem of LSU coach Les Miles. "He has great speed, great anticipation for cuts," Miles said of McCluster. "We've given a lot of thought to it, and you don't stop him with penetration. It's about getting a lot of jerseys in his way and corralling him. I think our athleticism will help with that." – The Commercial Appeal

11.03.09 - Dexter McCluster has been nearly unstoppable the last two games and rewrote the Rebel record book against Arkansas. He is averaging 154.5 rushing yards and 231.5 all-purpose yards over the last two weeks. With a career-high 22 carries each outing, he recorded his first two 100-yard rushing games and totaled a career-high 186 at Auburn, which is the most by a Rebel since BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 226 yards against Missouri in 2007. McClusters' 79-yard TD run Saturday marked the longest rush of his career and the longest by an Ole Miss player since Deuce McAllister galloped 80 yards for a score against Oklahoma in the 1999 Independence Bowl. Against the Razorbacks, McCluster became the first Rebel in the modern era (records dating back to 1965) to top the 100-yard mark in both rushing and receiving. McCluster posted team highs of 123 rushing yards and a career-high 137 receiving yards off a career high-tying seven grabs. He finished with 260 all-purpose yards, which is the most by a Rebel since McCluster's own career-best 268-yard performance in his Ole Miss debut against Memphis in 2006. McCluster has jumped to first on the team in rushing (59.0 ypg) and second in receiving (27 rec, 352 yds) this season. Last year, McCluster joined Florida’s Percy Harvin as the only players to rank top 10 in the SEC in rushing yards, receiving yards, receptions and all-purpose yards.

VITALS

Medical Examiner: McCluster missed the last six games of the 2006 season due to a concussion and shoulder injury. He also missed the Rebels’ first four contests in 2007 with a separate injury.

Honor Roll: McCluster earned second-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, and third-team status from Phil Steele in 2008. He was also chosen as the Offensive MVP of the Cotton Bowl in Mississippi’s victory over Texas Tech.

High School: McCluster played at Largo High School in Florida. He was a first team All-State selection and helped lead his team to the 2005 District Championship. He was named Suncoast Player of the Year by the St. Petersburg Times and was named Most Valuable Player and Best Back on his team. He rushed for 2,490 yards and 39 touchdowns as a senior and 1,424 yards and 14 touchdowns as a junior.

Personal: McCluster is majoring in journalism.

Photo Credit: SEC Sports Media