2026 Football recruiting

[STATEBALLIN]

I don?t keep up anymore, so as I was curious today, I asked ChatGPT how things were going. This was its response. How accurate is this?

?As of June 1, 2025, Mississippi State?s 2026 football recruiting class is gaining momentum under head coach Jeff Lebby, with nine verbal commitments. The class is currently ranked No. 36 nationally according to Rivals and No. 39 by On3 . 

Notable Commitments
? Emanuel Tucker (OT, New Albany, MS): A four-star offensive tackle standing at 6?7? and weighing 285 pounds, Tucker is ranked No. 203 nationally and No. 16 at his position. He committed to Mississippi State on February 18, 2025 . 
? Kaleb Morris (DL, Mobile, AL): A three-star defensive lineman from Mary G. Montgomery High School, Morris committed on May 31, 2025, during his official visit to Starkville. He is the first defensive lineman in the 2026 class . 
? Brodie McWhorter (QB, Kingston, GA): A three-star quarterback from Cass High School, McWhorter committed on May 1, 2025. He is ranked No. 590 nationally and No. 35 at his position . 
? Jaiden Taylor (ATH, Macon, MS): A three-star athlete from Noxubee County High School, Taylor committed on December 4, 2024. He is ranked No. 514 nationally and No. 29 at his position . 
? Jaeden Hill (RB, Tupelo, MS): A three-star running back from Tupelo High School, Hill committed on June 24, 2024. He is ranked No. 617 nationally and No. 39 at his position . 
? Jakobe Green (IOL, Niceville, FL): A three-star interior offensive lineman from Niceville High School, Green committed on February 1, 2025. He is ranked No. 604 nationally and No. 56 at his position . 
? Camden Capehart (WR, Winnsboro, TX): A three-star wide receiver from Winnsboro High School, Capehart committed on November 3, 2024. He is ranked No. 692 nationally and No. 103 at his position . 
? Camron Brown (CB, Baton Rouge, LA): A three-star cornerback from Scotlandville Magnet High School, Brown committed on March 15, 2025. He is ranked No. 750 nationally and No. 65 at his position .

Recruiting Strategy and Outlook

Mississippi State is focusing on building a balanced class, with a mix of offensive and defensive talent. The coaching staff is emphasizing in-state recruiting, as evidenced by commitments from Mississippi natives like Tucker, Taylor, and Hill. The addition of Morris from Alabama also highlights the program?s regional recruiting efforts. 

The Bulldogs are expected to continue targeting key positions, including wide receiver and defensive back, to round out the class. With the early signing period approaching in December 2025, Mississippi State aims to solidify its commitments and potentially add a few more high-impact players to the 2026 class.

For the most up-to-date information on Mississippi State?s recruiting efforts, fans can follow recruiting news on platforms like On3 and 247Sports  .?

[Tater]

ChatGPT is a Language Learning Model, not actual intelligence. It just says whatever it thinks you want to hear. Think of it as an English language calculator.

And don't pass on more computer generated slop if you can. Everyone wants to make things with "AI", but no one else wants to see your created shit.

[DEDawg]

ChatGPT is a Language Learning Model, not actual intelligence. It just says whatever it thinks you want to hear. Think of it as an English language calculator.

And don't pass on more computer generated slop if you can. Everyone wants to make things with "AI", but no one else wants to see your created shit.

This is factually incorrect if anyone actually cares about this kind of stuff.

[STATEBALLIN]

This is factually incorrect if anyone actually cares about this kind of stuff.

lol I?m glad you said that.

[STATEBALLIN]

ChatGPT is a Language Learning Model, not actual intelligence. It just says whatever it thinks you want to hear. Think of it as an English language calculator.

And don't pass on more computer generated slop if you can. Everyone wants to make things with "AI", but no one else wants to see your created shit.

Well, it?s generative AI with a vast neural network based on data from the web, but still.

Did it give an accurate report, or was it slop? Like your reflection in the mirror?

[Bothrops]

It kinda feels like the football program is being released to the wilderness. We have donors keeping the big projects going, but it's like our football gatekeepers and donors are at two different places and times.

[StarkVegasSteve]

It kinda feels like the football program is being released to the wilderness. We have donors keeping the big projects going, but it's like our football gatekeepers and donors are at two different places and times.

I'll be honest, no one really cares about HS recruiting anymore. Most teams are going to ID 10-12 HS players they want that they believe can contribute within the first two years and everyone else you get out of the portal. Getting a player that's a Freshman or Sophomore out of the portal is better than getting a HS recruit anyways.

[Tater]

This is factually incorrect if anyone actually cares about this kind of stuff.

I literally work in the field using all of these tools and have been for the past 3 years. It's not "generative AI". It has no "neural network." It doesn't understand reasoning. It puts together what it expects you to want.

It impresses people who have minimal knowledge in an area, but once you make it past the peak of mount stupid, you realize that it's smoke and mirrors. It's literally the Dunning-Kruger curve on a mass scale.

If you need a real-life comparison - AI is like Elon. When I didn't know about rockets, I thought he was pretty smart. When I didn't know about electric cars, I thought he was pretty smart. When he started talking about programming and was just blatantly wrong, I questioned was he ever smart in anything besides being a successful businessman when he shuts up.

Sorry if you're still in the "honeymoon" phase with this stuff. You missed when it was actually useful. Now it's getting worse as it feeds on its own 'content' and creates a cycle of worse and worse crap. Ever copied a copy of a copy? Well that's what happens to every one of these LLMs.

[Tater]

I'll be honest, no one really cares about HS recruiting anymore. Most teams are going to ID 10-12 HS players they want that they believe can contribute within the first two years and everyone else you get out of the portal. Getting a player that's a Freshman or Sophomore out of the portal is better than getting a HS recruit anyways.

It will start mattering when players and schools have to abide by multi-year contracts.

[DEDawg]

I literally work in the field using all of these tools and have been for the past 3 years. It's not "generative AI". It has no "neural network." It doesn't understand reasoning. It puts together what it expects you to want.

It impresses people who have minimal knowledge in an area, but once you make it past the peak of mount stupid, you realize that it's smoke and mirrors. It's literally the Dunning-Kruger curve on a mass scale.

If you need a real-life comparison - AI is like Elon. When I didn't know about rockets, I thought he was pretty smart. When I didn't know about electric cars, I thought he was pretty smart. When he started talking about programming and was just blatantly wrong, I questioned was he ever smart in anything besides being a successful businessman when he shuts up.

Sorry if you're still in the "honeymoon" phase with this stuff. You missed when it was actually useful. Now it's getting worse as it feeds on its own 'content' and creates a cycle of worse and worse crap. Ever copied a copy of a copy? Well that's what happens to every one of these LLMs.

lol for once I can say this. If only you knew who you were responding to right now.

[StarkVegasSteve]

It will start mattering when players and schools have to abide by multi-year contracts.

And when it does teams will pivot, but as of now there is no benefit to prioritizing HS recruits.

[Bothrops]

I'll be honest, no one really cares about HS recruiting anymore. Most teams are going to ID 10-12 HS players they want that they believe can contribute within the first two years and everyone else you get out of the portal. Getting a player that's a Freshman or Sophomore out of the portal is better than getting a HS recruit anyways.

Agree but we're signing some guys that won't ever play in that window. Not for us anyway.

[Tater]

lol for once I can say this. If only you knew who you were responding to right now.

Sorry bud. I already beat you to playing that card.

[Todd4State]

I'll be honest, no one really cares about HS recruiting anymore. Most teams are going to ID 10-12 HS players they want that they believe can contribute within the first two years and everyone else you get out of the portal. Getting a player that's a Freshman or Sophomore out of the portal is better than getting a HS recruit anyways.

Exactly. We lose a recruit now and my first thought is if it doesn't work out at Alabama/Ole Miss/LSU for them there is a good chance we're getting them for their junior and senior year.

So in a way we're still a developmental program but we're letting others do the developing for us.

[Todd4State]

It will start mattering when players and schools have to abide by multi-year contracts.

The thing about that is it goes both ways. You might stop tampering but you also might get stuck with deadweight that can limit what you add.

My guess is there are going to have to be some escape clauses and probably some buyouts written in that can be waived.

I just don't see it ever going completely back the way it was. I'm guessing you'll see 2-3 year contracts become standard with mutual options for both parties after that and potential bonuses for staying as a RS junior or senior and probably a clause that allows players to transfer out to pursue graduate degrees after 4 full seasons.

I think they'll eventually do away with the redshirt rule of 4 games + a bowl and just go to either 5 full years or maybe even 6 if you want a grad degree.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Agree but we're signing some guys that won't ever play in that window. Not for us anyway.

Just like everyone else. If Emmanuel Tucker came here he would get reps as a true freshman and start as a sophomore. If he ends up at LSU, he will RS his freshman year and transfer or he will wait to transfer after he does not play his second year.

[Pancho]

How good is Tucker really? I get a look like tarzan but play like Jane vibe

[coachnorm]

I'll be honest, no one really cares about HS recruiting anymore. Most teams are going to ID 10-12 HS players they want that they believe can contribute within the first two years and everyone else you get out of the portal. Getting a player that's a Freshman or Sophomore out of the portal is better than getting a HS recruit anyways.

https://x.com/THEHIVEFB

If you want a different slant on football recruiting, social media can assist you. Some HS programs have this wired and can give you follow thru assistance. I will use two programs as examples. (1) Starkville Yellowjackets in MS and (2) Lincoln Hornets in San Diego the last high school team that I was rostered on as a coach. I volunteered a little last season at Lincoln BTW. The internet address for Starkville is X.com/StarkvilleFBall and Lincoln is X.com/THEHIVEFB. If there is speculation on a recruit consider locating the recruit’s high school social media.

I will briefly discuss Lincoln, SD because I am tuned in a bit. On THEHIVEFB every offer is presented to the public on that social media platform. If a D1 College Football comes to Lincoln to investigate a Lincoln Hornet, it will get posted to the public. I invite my fellow elitedoggers to check out social media, of this type, to add on to whatever is stated thru message boards and other platforms.