Michael Bonner

The Clarion-Ledger

STARKVILLE — Dak Prescott's second national audition begins this weekend at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. His first week in front of NFL scouts ended with the former Mississippi State quarterback winning the Senior Bowl MVP last month.

Prescott will work out at the combine on Saturday with a handful of other big-name quarterbacks. The two-time Conerly Trophy winner began the 2015 season projected as a late-round pick. Entering the combine draft experts consider him an early-round selection.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. listed Prescott as a second-round pick during his teleconference on Monday. The draft guru listed Prescott as the sixth-best quarterback in the draft. Kiper grouped Prescott with Michigan State's Connor Cook and Penn State's Christian Hackenberg as quarterbacks in the second-tier. Kiper projects California's Jared Goff and North Dakota State's Carson Wentz as definite first-round talent and Memphis' Paxton Lynch as a possible late first-round pick.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller likes Prescott as much as anyone. He believes Prescott projects better as a pro than Cook.

“What’s crazy about him is, a year ago, I would have never thought he would be taken seriously as a pro prospect,” Miller told the Clarion-Ledger. “I told the guy from the Senior Bowl over the summer, ‘I would really like to see him play H-back. Move him around.’”

Prescott set every passing record in Mississippi State history both single-season and career during his five years on campus. He finished last year with 3,793 yards passing with 29 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He also led the Bulldogs in rushing with 588 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Quarterbacks arrive in Indianapolis on Thursday to meet with the media. Their on-field drills begin on Saturday. Following the combine, Prescott is also expected to appear at Mississippi State's Pro Day on March 10.

Contact Michael Bonner at mbonner@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @MikeBBonner on Twitter.