A large group of recruits visiting Mississippi State last weekend yielded three commitments for the Bulldogs’ Class of 2024 in quarterback Michael Van Buren and receivers Mario Craver and Sanfrisco Magee.
With less than a week remaining until the early signing period begins, nine more prospects are visiting Starkville this weekend as new head coach Jeff Lebby continues to build his first recruiting class with MSU. Four of them are already verbally committed to the Bulldogs, three are committed to other schools and two are still undecided.
All data on ratings, other offers and official visits comes from 247Sports, a recruiting-focused national network of websites.
Current MSU commits
Xavier Gayten, running back
In his senior season at Brookhaven High, Gayten rushed for 2,055 yards while averaging 9.4 yards per carry with 25 touchdowns in 12 games. He committed to the Bulldogs in June over an Ole Miss offer.
Tyler Woodard, safety
One of the top junior college safeties in his class, Woodard has spent the last two years at East Mississippi Community College, and he announced his intention to play for MSU in July over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, North Carolina State and Louisville. He was originally committed to the Bulldogs out of Freedom Prep Academy in Memphis, but took the junior college route instead.
Johnnie Daniels, running back
Daniels, who starred this season at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, is the top-ranked junior college running back in the class after rushing for 1,253 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games. He prepped at Crystal Springs High, south of Jackson along Interstate 55.
Ashun Shepphard, defensive lineman
Another EMCC product, Shepphard made 122 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss, as a senior at Brandon High in 2021. His other power conference offers came from Illinois and West Virginia.
Uncommitted
Jayden Lewis, cornerback
A four-star recruit from Anniston, Ala., Lewis decommitted from Auburn in October and also has offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, in addition to Florida State, Penn State, Louisville and four other major conference programs. With Decamerion Richardson and DeCarlos Nicholson in the transfer portal, MSU will need immediate help at cornerback in 2024.
Marcus Ross, linebacker
Ross racked up 103 tackles as a senior at Jefferson Davis County High before enrolling at EMCC in 2022. His only other power conference offer is from Arizona State, but he is ranked as the No. 5 junior college linebacker in his class.
Currently committed elsewhere
Kylan Fox, tight end (UCF)
Fox, a four-star, made 28 catches for 384 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior at Grayson High School in Loganville, Ga. He committed to UCF in July but has also visited Florida State and Georgia Tech and has offers from the entire Southeastern Conference except Oklahoma, to go along with Michigan, Ohio State, Miami and more.
Elijah Cannon, cornerback (Florida Atlantic)
Cannon, a native of South Florida, committed to Florida Atlantic in June but made an official visit to Oregon State last month. With the Beavers left unclaimed after the Pac-12’s collapse, the Bulldogs are Cannon’s only major-conference offer.
Keaton Thomas, linebacker (Baylor)
Thomas grew up in Jacksonville, Fla., and played at Northeast Mississippi Community College, and is the fourth-ranked junior college linebacker in the class. He committed to Baylor just last Sunday after making an official visit there, and also has offers from California and West Virginia.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 28 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
Join the Discussion