Falling nicely in the lull between the regular and post seasons, today was signing day for junior college football players and early enrollees out of high school. Starting off what they expect to be one of the highest ranked classes in history, Dan Mullen and Mississippi State signed three junior college players and two early enrollees from high school to begin the 2015 signing class.

Of note, MSU looks to have filled two very large needs on offense, where the talent around Dak Prescott and the gang is growing. Four-year starter at left tackle Blaine Clausell is graduating, making the signature of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offensive tackle Martinas Rankin an important one. Rankin is the No. 1-rated JUCO offensive lineman in the country.

Elsewhere, the Bulldogs will lose senior wide receiver Jameon Lewis in the slot, and like on the line, may be replacing him with another No. 1. New signee Donald Gray is the top-ranked JUCO wide receiver in the country according to 247Sports, a speedy pass-catcher/returner who initially signed with MSU out of high school and ended up playing at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.

Support is coming in on the defensive side of the ball, as well. While MSU’s defensive line is very deep, it will see three starters graduate, making the arrival of Co-Lin CC defensive lineman Johnathan Calvin well-timed.

A full list of the five signees:

Malik Dear – 5’10”, 214 pounds, wide receiver, Murrah High School. Four-star (247Sports Composite), No. 14-ranked athlete (247 Composite).

– 5’10”, 214 pounds, wide receiver, Murrah High School. Four-star (247Sports Composite), No. 14-ranked athlete (247 Composite). Deddrick Thomas – 5’10”, 173 pounds, wide receiver, Memphis Central High School. Three-star, No. 43-ranked athlete.

– 5’10”, 173 pounds, wide receiver, Memphis Central High School. Three-star, No. 43-ranked athlete. Johnathan Calvin – 6’4”, 252 pounds, defensive lineman, Co-Lin CC. Three-star, No. 3-ranked JUCO DL.

– 6’4”, 252 pounds, defensive lineman, Co-Lin CC. Three-star, No. 3-ranked JUCO DL. Martinas Rankin – 6’5”, 295 pounds, offensive tackle, MGCCC. Four-star, No. 1-ranked JUCO OT.

– 6’5”, 295 pounds, offensive tackle, MGCCC. Four-star, No. 1-ranked JUCO OT. Donald Gray – 5’10”, 180 pounds, wide receiver, Co-Lin CC. Four-star, No. 1-ranked JUCO receiver.