STARKVILLE — Dan Mullen hasn’t been known for being one of the top recruiters in the Southeastern Conference.

The eighth-year Mississippi State coach’s highest-rated class came last season when the Bulldogs pulled in the nation’s 18th-best class, according to 247Sports. That class featured seven four-star prospects, many of whom will play vital roles this season.

But Mullen hasn’t needed flashy classes or four- and five-star recruits to be competitive in the toughest division (SEC West) of the country’s toughest conference. The 2016 class — ranked No. 31 by 247Sports — was no different than previous classes, as Mullen and his staff added 13 players Wednesday on National Signing Day to five early enrollees.

“I’m excited about all these guys that are coming in,” Mullen said. “I think we’ve got a great group of young men, and I think it was a very, very successful day for us.”

The Bulldogs didn’t have many scholarships to offer because they graduated only 13 seniors, but Mullen said he was fine with the program bringing in a smaller group of recruits.

The highlight of the class is five-star Noxubee County High School defensive end Jeffery Simmons. He remained uncommitted throughout his recruiting process, and many believed he was going to choose between Ole Miss and Alabama, but he picked MSU. His announcement was streamed on social media and the football coaches could be heard all over the football complex celebrating the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Simmons’ decision.

Mullen said Simmons, the top player in the state of Mississippi, was at the top of their list not just for his talent but for the content of his character.

“I’ve known Jeffery now for about three years, and you look at what he does in the classroom, you look at what he does in his community, you look at the effort he gives at everything he does and how he as developed. He’s a first-class young man,” Mullen said.

Mullen said he sees Simmons being the next Fletcher Cox, Kaleb Eulls, or Pernell McPhee. All three defensive linemen played at MSU and are now in the NFL.

Simmons said he felt at home at MSU and wants to prove MSU has a winning tradition. He chose MSU over Ole Miss, Alabama, LSU, and Tennessee.

Mullen said he felt confident Simmons was going to sign with MSU.

“You just hope the young man views things the same way and looks at his opportunity,” Mullen said.

Simmons wasn’t the only local player to sign with the Bulldogs. Starkville High defensive tackle Kobe Jones, who also remained uncommitted throughout the process, chose MSU over Miami.

Mullen said he was impressed with Jones from the first time he saw him.

“We’re looking for work ethic, we’re looking for high character young men,” Mullen said. “He fits that.”

MSU missed out on two others from the Golden Triangle. Starkville High wide receiver A.J. Brown signed with Ole Miss and West Point High offensive tackle Scott Lashley signed with Alabama.

Brown said he didn’t feel like he was wanted by MSU and wanted to get out of Starkville. Lashley, who briefly committed to MSU in the summer, committed to the Crimson Tide on Tuesday.

Mullen said he didn’t think there was extra pressure for the local players to sign with MSU.

“I don’t know that it’s any different recruiting players that are local or players that are far away,” Mullen said. “We recruit them all just as hard. I think what gets overlooked (is) there’s a lot of pressures put on these young men from all different directions. You’re talking about 17-year olds that are having to deal with all kinds of pressures. I tell all of them I don’t envy them in having to make decisions in those situations that they’re at.”

Lashley would have helped fill a need on the offensive line, but MSU signed three offensive linemen: three-star offensive guard Stewart Reese, of Fort Pierce, Florida; three-star offensive tackle Greg Eiland, of Philadelphia; and three-star offensive tackle Dareuan Parker, of Southaven. Mullen said Parker and Reese can play multiple positions.

With tight end Gus Walley’s future unclear, Mullen said MSU’s biggest need was tight end, so the Bulldogs signed one to go with two already enrolled. East Central Community College and top junior college tight end Jordan Thomas signed with MSU. Mullen said people are going to be impressed with the 6-foot-6, 275-pound tight end.

“In all our evaluations he’s more of a wide receiver than a tight end, so that’s a pretty tough matchup on the outside for people,” Mullen said. “Runs extremely well and has great hands. I think just his size and athleticism creates major mismatches for people out there on the field.”

Former Louisville High standout Dontea Jones and Powder Springs, Georgia, native Christian Roberson already have enrolled at MSU and will compete for playing time at tight end.

Although it’s not a big class with multiple big-time names, Mullen is very pleased with the class. He said many of the players are versatile and can play several positions, which is another reason it’s so small.

“When we evaluate players, it’s hard to kind of put them in a box,” Mullen said. “Some of them you have a good idea, but when you’re looking at some of these guys that play every position for their high school team, it’s sometimes hard to just say, ‘OK, you’re definitely going to do this.’ I think we have a vision in our mind, which is always our starting point.”

n In related news, a source confirmed former Iowa State cornerbacks coach Maurice Linguist will be the new safeties coach at MSU.

The hiring of Linguist means recently hired Terrell Buckley will be the cornerbacks coach.

The hire will be made official next week. It completes the staff after three defensive coaches left for other jobs. Former Southern Cal coach Peter Sirmon was hired as the new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.

Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait

Mississippi State signees

x-Tre Brown, dl, 6-4, 290, Copiah-Lincoln CC, Ackerman

Korey Charles, ath, 5-11, 173, North Florida

Christian HS, Tallahassee, Florida

Jamal Couch, ath, 6-5, 222, Central HS, Phenix City, Alabama

Cameron Dantzler, db, 6-2, 170, St. Thomas

Aquinas HS, Hammond, Louisiana

x-Lashard Durr, db, 5-11, 190, Copiah-Lincoln CC, Gulfport

Greg Eiland, ol, 6-7, 320, Philadelphia HS

John Michael Hankerson, wr, 6-1, 170, Washington HS, South Bend, Indiana

x-Dontea Jones, wr, 6-4, 250, Jireh Prep, McCool

Kobe Jones, dl, 6-4, 262, Starkville HS

x-C.J. Morgan-Walker, db, 6-0, 192, Parkway HS, Bossier City, Louisiana

Nero Nelson, db, 5-11, 170, Simmons HS, Hollandale

Dareuan Parker, ol, 6-5, 326, DeSoto Central HS, Olive Branch

Stewart Reese, ol, 6-5, 340, Fort Pierce (Fla.) Central HS

x-Christian Roberson, te, 6-5, 230, McEachern HS, Powder Springs, Georgia

Jeffery Simmons, dl, 6-4, 275, Noxubee County HS, Macon

Marquiss Spencer, dl, 6-4, 223, Greenwood HS

Jordan Thomas, te, 6-6, 275, East Central HS, Macon

Erroll Thompson, lb, 6-2, 245, Florence, (Ala.) HS

x-Early enrollees

Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.