STARKVILLE — Mike Leach is putting the finishing touches on his first class at Mississippi State.
With the Early Signing Period opening Wednesday and running through Friday, it’s expected the bulk of the Bulldogs’ 2021 class will ink their names over the next day-plus. Following the decommitment of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College linebacker Navonteque Strong on Tuesday afternoon, MSU’s class currently sits at No. 34 nationally and No. 10 in the Southeastern Conference.
With that, here’s a look at some names outside MSU’s 17 high school commits to keep an eye on heading into the back end of this week:
Three-star OT Canon Boone — No. 941 in 247 Sports Composite Rankings (Dickinson, TX)
Mississippi State is looking for as many as five or six offensive linemen in its 2021 class and Boone fits the bill. The Bulldogs have been heavy on the Lonestar State native throughout the process and remained so after he committed to Virginia Tech in August.
It’s unclear where Boone stands in his commitment with the Hokies, though the Bulldogs remain a favorite to land him when the early signing period opens. All seven Crystal Ball predictions currently have Boone flipping from Virginia Tech to MSU.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds, Boone boasts the frame necessary to play tackle at the next level assuming he adds some weight once a part of a college weight program. Given the prospects the Bulldogs have missed on up front, he’d be a major coup for offensive line coach Mason Miller and this staff.
Three-star CB Jadarrius Perkins — No. 5 JUCO player in 247 Sports Composite Rankings (Hattiesburg, MS; Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C.)
A one-time Oregon commit, Perkins would be a massive haul for Mike Leach and company this late in the recruiting process. MSU has been recruiting Perkins for months and were seen as a favorite before the Hattiesburg native chose Oregon in May.
A rangy 6-foot-2, 185 pound corner, Perkins has elite speed to compete for playing time almost immediately should he head to Starkville. Perkins and his coaches at MGCCC spoke with The Dispatch earlier this year regarding his fit at MSU and what he might bring to the college game.
“He’s just a bigger body, bigger shoulders, bigger legs,” MGCCC coach Jack Wright said in May. “He’s the type of corner now that all the big time programs want, because at some point they’re going to try a big athlete out there and try to get you one-on-one, man (coverage) and he’s the type with his body type that really can match up with that.”
Since decommitting from Oregon two weeks ago, Perkins has picked up offers from Arizona State, LSU and Florida State. A recent offer from Oklahoma could also factor in.
As of Tuesday, eight of Perkins’ 11 Crystal Ball predictions have him heading to MSU. He’s already announced he won’t publicly commit anywhere until Christmas Day, but don’t be surprised if his signature is sent in behind closed doors this week and revealed then.
Three-star WDE Deonte Anderson — No. 386 player in 247 Sports Composite Rankings (Fort Meade, FL)
Anderson has been as big a riser as anyone in the 2021 class. Since March, Anderson has picked up 17 offers — 14 of which came from Power Five Conference schools.
While the 247 Sports Composite Rankings have him rated as a three-star prospect, 247 Sports’ in-house rankings have him more than 100 slots higher nationally and listed as a four-star guy.
“One of the more imposing pass rushers in the Sunshine State this cycle given explosive first step and ability to bend,” 247 Sports Southeast Recruiting Analyst Andrew Ivins wrote. “Launches out of his stance and doesn’t give his target much time to escape. Effective with his hands. Hasn’t been asked to cover much, but doubles as a tight end on offense and is athletic enough to get open on a regular basis.”
MSU currently has just one defensive lineman committed in its 2021 class in Georgia defensive end Tre’von Marshall. The Bulldogs are also in play for in-state defensive end Ty Cooper.
Given how thin MSU was on the defensive front this year coupled with the likely departures of Kobe Jones and Marquiss Spencer, Anderson would go a long way in addressing an immediate need next fall, even if it’s just as a depth piece with high end potential.
Three-star WR Simeon Price — No. 564 in 247 Sports Composite Rankings (Pensacola, FL)
MSU hasn’t been shy on adding receivers in its 2021 class. With the expected commitment of four-star Kosciusko pass-catcher Antonio Harmon coupled with the potential for fellow four-star Malik Nabers to fall out of MSU’s contingent should LSU make a strong push, Price would be a nice insurance add for the Bulldogs if he stays at receiver.
A former South Carolina commit, Price reopened his recruitment following the dismissal of Will Muschamp in Columbia. MSU has already added one former Gamecock pledge in three-star receiver Rodarius Thomas, and Price would be the second.
It’s not altogether clear whether MSU is willing to take as many as six receivers in the 2021 class, but Price could be the missing running back commit the Bulldogs stand to add to this year’s group.
Other names to watch:
Four-star CB Damarius McGhee — No. 185 247 Sports Composite (Pensacola, FL)
Four-star WR Antonio Harmon — No. 298 in 247 Sports Composite Rankings (Kosciusko, MS)
Three-star RB Jarquez Hunter — No. 739 in 247 Sports Composite Rankings (Philadelphia, MS)
Three-star DE Ty Cooper –No. 1192 in 247 Sports Composite Rankings (Louisville, MS)
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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