With less than two weeks until the early signing period and Mississippi State still filling out its coaching staff, the Bulldogs are beginning to create momentum again in recruiting. But with just 14 commitments, MSU’s 2024 class ranks last in the expanded Southeastern Conference, according to 247Sports.
The Bulldogs’ class will hardly be complete by the end of the three-day early signing period on Dec. 22, with top prospects like Starkville High receiver Braylon Burnside not expected to announce their decisions until later. Head coach Jeff Lebby and company are also expected to build MSU’s 2024 roster through the transfer portal, most notably at quarterback with a slew of talented players available.
Until then, The Dispatch is taking a look at where things stand with Lebby’s first recruiting class as the early signing window approaches. All data on ratings, other offers and official visits comes from 247Sports, a recruiting-focused national network of websites.
Quarterback
The Bulldogs do not currently have a quarterback verbally committed for the Class of 2024 after Josh Flowers, a three-star prospect from Mobile, Ala., decommitted on Tuesday. Flowers has four other SEC offers, from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Texas A&M. Michael Van Buren of Baltimore, the 13th-best quarterback in the class, decommitted from Oregon last Saturday, and while he does not currently have an offer from MSU, he will be making an official visit to Starkville this weekend.
Running back
Xavier Gayten, who rushed for 2,055 yards and 25 touchdowns for Brookhaven High this season, committed to the Bulldogs in June over an offer from Ole Miss. In late November, MSU landed a commitment from Johnnie Daniels out of Copiah-Lincoln Community College, the top-ranked junior college running back in the class. Daniels rushed for 1,253 yards and 15 touchdowns in 12 games this fall.
Wide receiver
Perhaps the crown jewel of the Bulldogs’ incoming class so far is four-star wideout JJ Harrell, a Sardis and North Panola High product who had offers from nine other SEC schools. JaCorey Whitted, a McCalia, Ala. native, chose MSU over offers from Alabama, Auburn and four other SEC programs, and Matt Mayfield, from Opelousas, La., committed all the way back in April. With Chad Bumphis staying on board as wide receivers coach, the Bulldogs certainly have a chance to keep Burnside in Starkville, and two more prospects, Mario Craver and Sanfrisco McGee, are making official visits this weekend.
Whitted made 31 catches this season for 678 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, while Mayfield was ineligible to play this fall due to a ruling regarding his transfer.
Offensive line
Luke Work, out of Memphis, chose the Bulldogs over Missouri and Purdue, among others, and Winona High’s TJ Lockhart had no other major conference offers and committed in March. MSU landed four-star Jimothy Lewis from IMG Academy in June, and Lewis had offers from 10 other SEC programs as well as the likes of Michigan and Florida State. Samir Camacho, a three-star from Houston, will visit Starkville this weekend, and Jaekwon Bouldin of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College — who also carries offers from Ole Miss, Auburn and Arkansas — will visit on Wednesday.
Defensive line
The Bulldogs have three commitments here, all three-stars from Mississippi. Terrance Hibbler (Holmes County Central-Lexington) committed first over offers from Texas, Alabama and seven other SEC schools, and made 21 sacks in 12 games in his final high school season. Vicksburg’s Tyler Carter committed in late June, and Ashun Sheppard, from East Mississippi Community College, committed in mid-October. Defensive line coach David Turner is remaining in that role under Lebby, which could help ensure that all three remain committed.
Linebacker
Fred Clark, also from Winona High, chose MSU in June over Ole Miss and Auburn, having previously committed to the Rebels. The Bulldogs have also secured a commitment from Hinds Community College’s Branden Jennings, the No. 2-ranked junior college linebacker in the class. Both will make official visits this weekend as part of a group of 17 Class of 2024 prospects.
Defensive back
MSU only has one commitment in the secondary, but it’s a big one. EMCC’s Tyler Woodard announced his intention to play for the Bulldogs in July over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, North Carolina State and Louisville.
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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.
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