Richard discusses his visit to Ole Miss' Jr Day

Richard Dickson (TE/DE, Ocean Springs, MS) - Some are saying the State's top prospect resides on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. When one thinks of football on the coast, Moss Point or Pascagoula or Gulfport usually come to mind, but not Ocean Springs. And for good reason, the Greyhound won a total of 4 games through the ' 98-' 02 seasons. But that was before Richard Dickson and the new coaching staff arrive

In the '03 season, Ocean Springs went 7-5 and made it to their 1st playoff appearance in over 15 years. Then last season, they exploded and made it all the way to the Class 5A Championship game.

Dickson's family is no stranger to athletics. His grandfather starred at Ole Miss and his father did the same at MSU. Richard's sister is currently enrolled at the University of Mississippi. This could be an instate battle but do not count out LSU, Tennessee, Alabama, or Auburn, where Richard camped at last summer.

Richard attended Ole Miss' Jr Day last weekend. We called to see how his visit went:

The following information was revealed during our interview with Richard Dickson:

What is your current height and weight? "I am 6' 3 1/2", and they weighed me at 238 at Ole Miss the other day. But, I lost a lot of weight during the basketball season. I usually play around 250 during the (football) season."

What was your last recorded 40 time? "I ran a 4.77."

Which position are you bring recruited to play on the next level? "Really, no one knows for sure yet. The just do not know yet. Their offensive coaches will tell me they like me at TE, and their defensive coaches will tell me they like me at DE."

Which position do you prefer? "I really like both equally. I would not say I like one over the other."

Which position showcases your skills the best? "I have real good hands and speed at TE. That is probably where I look better."

What are your strengths on the field? "I have always been bigger for my age than most people, and I have always been faster than the people who are as big as me. I have real good game speed. I am a lot faster with pads on than without them. It is kind of strange. On defense, I have good closing speed. Like in a playoff game against Hattiesburg, I ran down Jonathan Kirksey from behind, and he is one of, if not the best, running backs in the state."

What are your working on for the next level? "This is my first week back in football, as we just got knocked out in basketball. I am just trying to get bigger, stronger, and faster, like everyone else."

What do you max out at these days? "300/33"/450."

Have you set some strength goals? "I really want to be about 6' 4 - 6' 5", around 255 and get my 40 time down to a 4.6 to a 4.7 flat. And strength wise, I want to get my bench up to 360 - 370 by the end of the year."

How long have you been starting for Ocean Springs? "!0th grade,"

Both ways? "I started on defense and played a little fullback in 10th grade. Last year, I started at both TE and DE."

What were your stats? "I would have to guess, but I would say around 90 - 100 tackles and 400 - 500 yards receiving. I think I scored 6 TD's."

Any awards? "I was named 1st Team All-State (MAC) and 1st Team All-State by the Clarion Ledger. I also made All-District, and All-South (Sun Herald)."

Which schools are currently recruiting you the hardest? "I would probably have to say MSU, Ole Miss, Alabama, and probably LSU. Those are the main ones."

Any offers? "MSU and Ole Miss have both offered."

Going to any Jr Days? "I went up to Ole Miss' last weekend."

Was this your first trip to Ole Miss? "This was my first football trip. I go up there to see my sister a lot. She goes to school at Ole Miss. But this was my firs visit to just go up there and talk to their coaches and tour their athletic facilities."

What did you learn? "I did not realize their facilities are so nice. They are updated and new. And all of their coaches are real enthusiastic."

What stood out the most? "My favorite thing about the trip was that I realized how enthusiastic all of their coaches are and how excited they are about the upcoming season."

Did anyone accompany you on your trip? "C.J. Bailey (QB for Moss Point) rode up there with me and my dad."

How did your father like Ole Miss? "He liked it a lot, and he liked all of that stuff they have up there. It was different for him because he played at MSU."

Do you plan to attend anymore Jr Days this Spring? "I wanted to go to all of the (SEC) West schools, but I missed most of them because of basketball. I am going to go to as many Spring games and spring practices as I can since I missed most of the Jr Days."

Which camps did you attend last summer? "I went to Alabama and Auburn."

And this summer? "I will probably go to most of the combines, like the one at Ole Miss (Nike). I might go to a few of the senior camps, like Tennessee, LSU, and Alabama."

Which schools are you keeping a close eye on? "Man, I would have to say Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss, MSU, and Alabama. And just recently, I started getting some stuff from West Virginia. They have kind of sparked my interest. I really like their offense."

Coach Trickett (West Virginia assistant coach) recruiting you? "Yea, he does. He spends a lot of time in Mississippi because there are so many athletes in this state, well, the ones that can get into school (laugh)."

What is your current academic situation? "I have never even made a "C". I take my books very seriously. I have a 3.7 GPA, and I have already made an 18 on the ACT.