'Dream Come True': Mississippi State's Jaden Crumedy Taking NFL Combine All In

INDIANAPOLIS — Mississippi State defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy is one of four Bulldogs at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine this week.

Crumedy and Bulldogs linebacker Nathaniel "Bookie" Watson were the first two Bulldogs to speak to the media on Wednesday as they mentally prepare for Thursday's multitude of on-field drills.

It's no secret that the past couple of days have been hectic for Crumedy, but he couldn't be happier to be standing at a podium in Lucas Oil Stadium, where thousands before him have let the world know who they are.

"I'm really just taking it all in," Crumedy said. "I know it's a great experience, I'm blessed to be here. I'm gonna continue to do that and go out there and do everything I can do...It is most definitely a dream come true. Just being out here to showcase myself and put on for my family is something I've always dreamed about."

Crumedy tallied 35 tackles this past season, including 3.5 for loss, and also recorded 2.5 sacks. The fifth-year senior's season was shortened in 2022, but in just five games he logged 15 tackles, including five for loss, and two sacks.

Crumedy, a consensus four-star recruit from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Miss., committed to Mississippi State on Oct. 1, 2017, before enrolling on May 31, 2018. After staying with the Starkville program after all of these years, he explained why he was grateful for the extensive experience.

"It gave me the opportunity to lock in on everything I needed to do and accomplish," Crumedy said. "It set me up for better success in my future."

Now as he continues to speak with NFL teams, he hopes to gain their attention during Wednesday's drills as he's aiming to rise higher in the 2024 NFL Draft.

"I really just want to boost my stock and show that I can do a lot of things that'll put myself more out there."

Crumedy admitted that he could improve on his pass-rush, but one asset that he takes a ton of pride in is his power as he said it was his biggest strength along with being "very good at taking on double teams."

However, he also expressed his joy in helping out his linebackers by creating gaps for them to run through to make stops at or behind the line of scrimmage. For example, with Crumedy's assistance, the aforementioned Watson totaled a whopping 137 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks in 2023. He led the entire SEC in tackles and sacks and was named the AP SEC Defensive Player of the Year among several other honors.

Crumedy and Watson are both set for on-field drills starting Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT on NFL Network.