2023 MSU FOOTBALL RECRUITING Discussion Thread

[KOdawg1]

Current signees:

QB:
Chris Parson (https://247sports.com/player/chris-parson-46097280/) (NOT Parsons)

RB:
Seth Davis (https://247sports.com/player/seth-davis-46109816/)
Jeffery Pittman (Juco) (https://247sports.com/Player/Jeffery-Pittman-46127747/junior-college-272489/)

WR:
Nakai Poole (https://247sports.com/player/nakai-poole-46129731/)
Jacoby Bellazar (Juco) (https://247sports.com/Player/Jacoby-Bellazar-46082679/junior-college-282670/)
Justin Brown (https://247sports.com/player/justin-brown-46116062/)
Creed Whittemore (https://247sports.com/player/creed-whittemore-46110627/)

OL:
Malik Ellis (https://247sports.com/player/malik-ellis-46102466/)
Zay Alexander (https://247sports.com/player/zay-alexander-46116458/)
Jayden Hobson (https://247sports.com/player/jayden-hobson-46133997/)
Amari Smith (https://247sports.com/player/amari-smith-46137417/)
Leon Bell (Juco) (https://247sports.com/player/leon-bell-46110281/)


DL:
Joseph Head (Edge) (https://247sports.com/player/joseph-head-46117686/)
Gabriel Moore (https://247sports.com/player/gabriel-moore-46134068/)
Caleb Bryant (https://247sports.com/player/caleb-bryant-46113879/)
Eric Taylor (Juco) (https://247sports.com/player/eric-taylor-46052193/)

LB:
Tobias Hinton (https://247sports.com/player/tabias-hinton-46112795/)
Zakari Tillman (https://247sports.com/player/zakari-tillman-46131986/)

DB:
Kelley Jones (https://247sports.com/player/kelley-jones-46117521/)
Jaylen Aborom (https://247sports.com/Player/Jaylen-Aborom-46115391/)
Brice Pollock (https://247sports.com/player/brice-pollock-46130477/)
Luke Evans (https://247sports.com/player/luke-evans-46118535/)
Isaac Smith (https://247sports.com/player/isaac-smith-46110467/)

Raydar Jones (https://247sports.com/player/raydarious-jones-46047606/) *TRANSFER - LSU*
Khamauri Rogers (https://247sports.com/Player/Khamauri-Rogers-46081427/) *TRANSFER - MIAMI*


ATH:
Ty Jones (https://247sports.com/player/ty-jones-46093871/)

Punter:
Keelan Crimmins (Australia) (https://247sports.com/player/keelan-crimmins-46137811/)

Average player ranking: 87.85 (as of 12/21/22)

Average player ranking in previous 5 classes: 87.45

247 composite 4 stars: 4

[Hambone]

So with State offering a new QB last week, does this mean the kid from Memphis is going elsewhere?

How do we look with Burnside? Glad he got his 4th star earlier.

Another poster said something about the two tackles from Laurel being legit, are we on them?

[Dawgfan77]

So with State offering a new QB last week, does this mean the kid from Memphis is going elsewhere?

How do we look with Burnside? Glad he got his 4th star earlier.

Another poster said something about the two tackles from Laurel being legit, are we on them?
Ellis is committed the other isn't a tackle on the next level. Probably won't end up offering him

[BuckyIsAB****]

The other tackle has a Texas offer so

[BuckyIsAB****]

And is much bigger and nastier than Ellis

[Ifyouonlyknew]

And is much bigger and nastier than Ellis

Weight wise definitely. The issue is Breland May be 6’2”

[Ifyouonlyknew]

The other tackle has a Texas offer so

He’s a center/guard in college.

[BuckyIsAB****]

He’s a center/guard in college.

Still should be a take if he is interested IMO. He can play. We need guards and centers too

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Still should be a take if he is interested IMO. He can play. We need guards and centers too

He’ll get his shot at camp. We’re actually on some pretty good OL this class.

[KOdawg1]

Scooba, you can pin this if you want

[PlanoTxDawg]

Since this is a 2023 recruiting discussion thread, I have a name to throw out there, a kicker named Michael Petro from Flower Mound High school in Flower Mound, Texas. My nephew plays for Plano High School in Plano, Texas which is a rival to Flower Mound.

I know we are not enamored by kicking recruits, but seeing how horrible our kicking has been the past years several years, my ears went up when my brother in law told me about this kid who apparently has ties to Mississippi state.

Michael Petro is a senior who is supposedly a stud. 5?9? , 180 pounds of solid muscle. My brother in law said he reminds him of Jeff Walker, our old kicker/punter from the late 1990?s who was not afraid to kick/punt, and then run down the field and knock someone?s head off.

Flower Mound?s coaches played seniority favorites to another kicker last season, and would not let Petro kick until halfway through his junior season. Petro only missed one field goal last season and that was due to a bad snap. He was perfect on PAT?s.

My BIL knows Michael?s dad. Great family with ties to Mississippi State. I believe both of Michael?s uncles who were from the Mississippi Delta played for us in the 1970?s. Petro recently received an upgraded ranking from the Kohl's kicking academy, where he moved up to #9 in the country.


He is currently working out at kicking camps for Big 12 schools this week, one of whom is Oklahoma. He is supposed to be in Starkville at our camp next Friday, June 10. I will be interested to see if he is actually kicking in Starkville next weekend, and will be interested to see if we have any interest in him. There is not a lot of information out there about him on many recruiting web sites.

[Coach34]

Names to remember:

Tray Minor- plays TB at Natchez but will be a safety in college. He will likely have to graduate Juco. Will likely be a juco- AA
Mike Williams- 3-star WR at Natchez. One of the top WR’s in Mississippi
Landon Sewell- Center at Natchez. D-1 player. Wish State would sign him. He’s legit

[Dawgfan77]

The other tackle has a Texas offer so
He doesn't really have the length we are looking for on the OL. I know a lot of schools may reevaluate him after camps.

[Hot Rock]

Still should be a take if he is interested IMO. He can play. We need guards and centers too

I think that since Leach's system has wide splits on the OL. That makes it so we need more athletic Guards than most places. It's almost like you need 4 tackles and one Center. You won't see them take as many Inside OL but more tackle types with length.

[Cooterpoot]

Tons of offers gone out at camp. Petty got an offer. Hubbard got an offer.
Little Juco burner WR and OG DB. RB from GA. Big WR from LeFlore Co.. Obviously various classes and not all '23s.

[Cooterpoot]

Names to remember:

Tray Minor- plays TB at Natchez but will be a safety in college. He will likely have to graduate Juco. Will likely be a juco- AA
Mike Williams- 3-star WR at Natchez. One of the top WR’s in Mississippi
Landon Sewell- Center at Natchez. D-1 player. Wish State would sign him. He’s legit

Wouldn't be the first Minor from Natchez

[Hambone]

Sounds like Kelley Jones (6’4 DB from Clarksdale) may be getting in the boat soon.

[KOdawg1]

Wouldn't surprise me to see a few guys get in the boat.

We handed out a few offers this weekend.

[BuckyIsAB****]

Hubbard is Nick Fitzgerald. Damn good player but he wouldnt fit the leach mold

[Cooterpoot]

Hubbard is Nick Fitzgerald. Damn good player but he wouldnt fit the leach mold

Offered as a WR. We offered a lot of WRs. Be interesting to see how that washes out. Not a lot of P5 offers for many so far. Hubbard got a DB offer from AL last week though.

[BuckyIsAB****]

Offered as a WR. We offered a lot of WRs. Be interesting to see how that washes out. Not a lot of P5 offers for many so far. Hubbard got a DB offer from AL last week though.

He wont be going to either one then. USM will offer him as a QB and that will be it

[Reunion Dog]

One of the Petro brothers ?Emil? was killed in an automotive accident when he was a student. My dad taught him physics. They were from Leland. Another Petro is a huge Gastro Dr in Jackson as is his youngest daughter. His oldest daughter is a plastic surgeon in Bham. And is 🔥🔥🔥.

[Hot Rock]

So, any news from the TOP DOG camp?

[WhiskeyPirate]

Has anyone seen Brayson Hubbard play ? He probably has the most impressive hi light film I can recall seeing. Kid is an unbelievable runner with incredible passing skills. No wonder Bama offered him.

[KOdawg1]

Has anyone seen Brayson Hubbard play ? He probably has the most impressive hi light film I can recall seeing. Kid is an unbelievable runner with incredible passing skills. No wonder Bama offered him.

They offered him as a DB. We offered him as a WR.

He's not an SEC QB, but he is an SEC athlete.

[WhiskeyPirate]

They offered him as a DB. We offered him as a WR.

He's not an SEC QB, but he is an SEC athlete.

He’s got some moves, I would hope he wants to stay on offense. His passing looked great on film. Now that Bama and state have offered I’ll bet he picks up a ton of offers. Somebody will promise him he can play q b , a Nebraska or a Rutgers.

*sorry didn’t see above comments

[TimberBeast]

Has anyone seen Brayson Hubbard play ? He probably has the most impressive hi light film I can recall seeing. Kid is an unbelievable runner with incredible passing skills. No wonder Bama offered him.

I?ve seen him play just about every Ocean Springs home game the last couple years. He is damn fast and has very good vision. He has a great arm but not sure it?s SEC. He?s been committed to USM for baseball for at least a year now. I?m not sure if he?s looking to play both sports or not. I might agree with the other poster that said not SEC qb but definitely SEC athlete. Pretty sure his brother and sister are at State now.

ETA: I will add that he is a very tough player. He is not afraid to get hit and I?ve seen him play through injuries. His improvement at qb from last season to this past season was huge so I?m curious to see how much he improves next season also.

[WhiskeyPirate]

I?ve seen him play just about every Ocean Springs home game the last couple years. He is damn fast and has very good vision. He has a great arm but not sure it?s SEC. He?s been committed to USM for baseball for at least a year now. I?m not sure if he?s looking to play both sports or not. I might agree with the other poster that said not SEC qb but definitely SEC athlete. Pretty sure his brother and sister are at State now.

I can’t understand why they won’t look at him as a q b based on his film. There are,plenty of running q b s who can’t throw it near as well as this kid....or run like this kid. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get offered by P5 schools as a q b, his recruiting should heat up. Of course I’d rather see him as a receiver at State than as a q b at Nebraska or Kansas State.

He doesn’t just have great speed but he’s got moves like an elite running back.

[Todd4State]

I can’t understand why they won’t look at him as a q b based on his film. There are,plenty of running q b s who can’t throw it near as well as this kid....or run like this kid. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get offered by P5 schools as a q b, his recruiting should heat up. Of course I’d rather see him as a receiver at State than as a q b at Nebraska or Kansas State.

He doesn’t just have great speed but he’s got moves like an elite running back.

If he has moves like that then moving him to slot WR could be a great career move for him. Like Bellichick taking a college QB and making them into a slot WR.

[Cooterpoot]

I can’t understand why they won’t look at him as a q b based on his film. There are,plenty of running q b s who can’t throw it near as well as this kid....or run like this kid. I would be surprised if he doesn’t get offered by P5 schools as a q b, his recruiting should heat up. Of course I’d rather see him as a receiver at State than as a q b at Nebraska or Kansas State.

He doesn’t just have great speed but he’s got moves like an elite running back.

He doesn't have a single P5 offer to play QB right now. He's basically Plumlee.

[Hambone]

https://twitter.com/dante_kelly/status/1536404887147356164?s=21&t=1qbOic3K69EHNqeQeWvkOw

[BuckyIsAB****]

He doesn't have a single P5 offer to play QB right now. He's basically Plumlee.

Pretty accurate. Bigger. Plays in a weaker region too. I wasnt sold on him till they played OG. He is good.

[Cooterpoot]

Should add a DB next week.

[Hambone]

https://twitter.com/kelleyjones511/status/1537186850099843072?s=21&t=0g-trGwbd09A9FQmla52HA

[Cowbell]

I?ve seen him play just about every Ocean Springs home game the last couple years. He is damn fast and has very good vision. He has a great arm but not sure it?s SEC. He?s been committed to USM for baseball for at least a year now. I?m not sure if he?s looking to play both sports or not. I might agree with the other poster that said not SEC qb but definitely SEC athlete. Pretty sure his brother and sister are at State now.

ETA: I will add that he is a very tough player. He is not afraid to get hit and I?ve seen him play through injuries. His improvement at qb from last season to this past season was huge so I?m curious to see how much he improves next season also.

So would be perfect if we go back and hire Dan?!

[TimberBeast]

So would be perfect if we go back and hire Dan?!

Huh?

[Hambone]

I have no idea why this posted as sensitive material. It’s literally his graphic.

[Cowbell]

So would be perfect if we go back and hire Dan?!

That kid would be perfect for dans offense

[Goldendawg]

All I know about 2023 recruiting is what I get here and free info from Genes Page. I know it is early on rankings but almost none of our "targets" are 4 stars. That being said is it a down year in Mississippi or is NIL killing us with higher targets? Thanks and Hail State!

[WhiskeyPirate]

All I know about 2023 recruiting is what I get here and free info from Genes Page. I know it is early on rankings but almost none of our "targets" are 4 stars. That being said is it a down year in Mississippi or is NIL killing us with higher targets? Thanks and Hail State!

Same here

My guess, any four star or higher will hold out till the very last day for the highest bidder.....thanks to NIL. I expect many of the “verbals” to flip also for the right price

[Dawgology]

Same here

My guess, any four star or higher will hold out till the very last day for the highest bidder.....thanks to NIL. I expect many of the “verbals” to flip also for the right price

Basically. They need to just create a professional minor league and be done with it. They aren’t student athletes any longer. College athletics needs to go back to a true amateur league that doesn’t give scholarships and requires the student to already be actively enrolled in school.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Basically. They need to just create a professional minor league and be done with it. They aren’t student athletes any longer. College athletics needs to go back to a true amateur league that doesn’t give scholarships and requires the student to already be actively enrolled in school.
I’d support that. They are ruining the last watchable sport.

[KOdawg1]

Not gonna be many 4 star players this cycle unless some get reevaluated.

[bulldawg28]

Basically. They need to just create a professional minor league and be done with it. They aren’t student athletes any longer. College athletics needs to go back to a true amateur league that doesn’t give scholarships and requires the student to already be actively enrolled in school.

4 star players have been getting paid and doing this for the last 30 + years. When boosters were formed so were paid players. Fault boosters instead of teenagers if you have problems with players being paid.

[Cooterpoot]

College football is dying. It's the fault of the schools. They built this money hungry machine. Paying coaches ridiculous money and now athletes. But guess what. We all loved it. So stop bitching. I accept we'd forever suck in football years ago. Sure, we could have a year or two, but it was a rigged system and still is. Now, we've got no shot a big years anymore. The SEC is about to be so strong that we're just here to collect a check for as long as that lasts.
It's why I can't understand paying for recruiting info. We're about to sign a good Sunbelt class, with a few solid AAC players, and few good SEC players. We'll find a couple gems on the DL or OL. It's pretty much what we are.

[Hambone]

https://twitter.com/aboromjaylen/status/1538175691077869569?s=21&t=DEgsqxcbapQAyReSWobujw

[Goldendawg]

College football is dying. It's the fault of the schools. They built this money hungry machine. Paying coaches ridiculous money and now athletes. But guess what. We all loved it. So stop bitching. I accept we'd forever suck in football years ago. Sure, we could have a year or two, but it was a rigged system and still is. Now, we've got no shot a big years anymore. The SEC is about to be so strong that we're just here to collect a check for as long as that lasts.
It's why I can't understand paying for recruiting info. We're about to sign a good Sunbelt class, with a few solid AAC players, and few good SEC players. We'll find a couple gems on the DL or OL. It's pretty much what we are.

I fear this also. If we become the Washington Generals vs. the Harlem Globetrotters where the outcome is always certain, our 55 year streak of buying season tickets will soon end ( Bulldog Club dues & 8 to 12 tickets). Will watch on tv. Will be like USFL. No fans needed in person, just tv programming. Feels bad.

[Goldendawg]

Our last two commits are unranked at this time. Anyone got an estimate where their ranking will land?

[Offshore Dawg]

Our last two commits are unranked at this time. Anyone got an estimate where their ranking will land?

will it matter in the end 😕

[Goldendawg]

will it matter in the end 😕

Not really, but sometimes a needed starting point. I really like us hitting MS hard, especially if we are filling needs and can complete, rather than becoming a very heavy portal program. I feel we need a healthy balance and the NIL world really has me worried. Hail State!

[Offshore Dawg]

I stopped worrying about this years ago, and it removed a lot of stress 😩

[Goldendawg]

will it matter in the end ��

Sorry, double post.

[bulldawg28]

Not really, but sometimes a needed starting point. I really like us hitting MS hard, especially if we are filling needs and can complete, rather than becoming a very heavy portal program. I feel we need a healthy balance and the NIL world really has me worried. Hail State!

These MS kids don't get the ratings unless they go to certain showcase camps . Judging from their stats they're legitimate SEC players. Ratings mean nothing especially wi th the use of the portal. We racked up with 4 stars probably more than the initial high-school class. The team will be fine.

[Goldendawg]

These MS kids don't get the ratings unless they go to certain showcase camps . Judging from their stats they're legitimate SEC players. Ratings mean nothing especially wi th the use of the portal. We racked up with 4 stars probably more than the initial high-school class. The team will be fine.

Thanks, always appreciate your viewpoint.

[Bothrops]

These MS kids don't get the ratings unless they go to certain showcase camps . Judging from their stats they're legitimate SEC players. Ratings mean nothing especially wi th the use of the portal. We racked up with 4 stars probably more than the initial high-school class. The team will be fine.

This is correct information.

[BuckyIsAB****]

The Aboram kid can play. Really really good player. Can play WR or DB. He will need a lot of reps bc all they do at oak grove is play man but he will get there. Sneaky great get

[Dawgology]

I fear this also. If we become the Washington Generals vs. the Harlem Globetrotters where the outcome is always certain, our 55 year streak of buying season tickets will soon end ( Bulldog Club dues & 8 to 12 tickets). Will watch on tv. Will be like USFL. No fans needed in person, just tv programming. Feels bad.

Yep. What we have right now is what you would get in the NFL without parity rules and no budget cap. It’s why they instituted policy to keep things competitive. College athletics will eventually have to do the same thing. It will probably come in the form of restricting the number of players with NIL contracts a team can keep on roster.

[Cooterpoot]

The Aboram kid can play. Really really good player. Can play WR or DB. He will need a lot of reps bc all they do at oak grove is play man but he will get there. Sneaky great get

I think he's a DB. But you're right, he can play. Great ball skills.

[WhiskeyPirate]

These MS kids don't get the ratings unless they go to certain showcase camps . Judging from their stats they're legitimate SEC players. Ratings mean nothing especially wi th the use of the portal. We racked up with 4 stars probably more than the initial high-school class. The team will be fine.

Their instate rankings is what I look at. Kids ranked from 10-25 instate have been the norm for a long time now, correct. This kid looks like a keeper.

[Percho]

Yep. What we have right now is what you would get in the NFL without parity rules and no budget cap. It’s why they instituted policy to keep things competitive. College athletics will eventually have to do the same thing. It will probably come in the form of restricting the number of players with NIL contracts a team can keep on roster.

On the table or under the table?

Maybe we should we should just talk a lot more about commandments 8 and 10.

[Cooterpoot]

Forget about rankings. Look at the offers. MS rarely, if ever, has 25 kids that can be good in the SEC in a class.

[ZedFedder]

Saw where Caleb Bryant committed to Utah.

[KOdawg1]

Saw where Caleb Bryant committed to Utah.

Seriously doubt that sticks

[bulldawg28]

Their instate rankings is what I look at. Kids ranked from 10-25 instate have been the norm for a long time now, correct. This kid looks like a keeper.

In-state ratings are based on where they're committed. Watch this kid state rating will increase now that's he's committed.

[WhiskeyPirate]

In-state ratings are based on where they're committed. Watch this kid state rating will increase now that's he's committed.

What I’m saying is in state kids in the top 25 have been the mainstay of recruiting and that’s pretty much what this class is so far. Top 5 or 10 kids is where NIL is going to be in play as will the four star out of state kids. I think a class like last year is still doable, which was a good class IMO.

[bulldawg28]

What I?m saying is in state kids in the top 25 have been the mainstay of recruiting and that?s pretty much what this class is so far. Top 5 or 10 kids is where NIL is going to be in play as will the four star out of state kids. I think a class like last year is still doable, which was a good class IMO.

Gotcha, agreed

[Dawgfan77]

One interesting tid bit this year is LK and staff are not putting an emphasis on in state kids. Are they recruiting some? Yes, but they are focusing on out of state players and will use the portal. It's an interesting concept that I don't this is sustainable long term. You will continue to see us doing well in state other than maybe one or two that are just hell bent on going out of state.

[MetEdDawg]

One interesting tid bit this year is LK and staff are not putting an emphasis on in state kids. Are they recruiting some? Yes, but they are focusing on out of state players and will use the portal. It's an interesting concept that I don't this is sustainable long term. You will continue to see us doing well in state other than maybe one or two that are just hell bent on going out of state.

I actually think it's smart to start working out of state. The big boys have proven they WILL come into MS and take a portion of the Top 10 guys in state and we have to adjust to that.

The depth of talent in the state is not enough to support the rosters of MSU and OM while also hemorrhaging top tier talent to the big boys.

We need to start doing the same thing if we want to compete. Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana have depth of talent that we can capitalize on.

3 of the Top 10 in the 2023 cycle in MS are committed out of state. Will those 3 stay that way? Maybe not. But MS currently has five 4 stars this cycle. Every surrounding state has at least triple that number.

MS does have a lot of overlooked talent. We know that. But out of state is the way to go when it comes to being able to compete. We still need to find overlooked talent in MS. But we've got to push out of state more to fill our roster because there's a lot of talent to be had there.

[BuckyIsAB****]

My personal opinion but we need to live and die with MS kids that the program matters to. And get some more MS guys on staff especially in the off field parts. Im not sure Dudek gets it.

Recruit TX AL LA FL and GA. Memphis. Leave everything else alone

[BuckyIsAB****]

One interesting tid bit this year is LK and staff are not putting an emphasis on in state kids. Are they recruiting some? Yes, but they are focusing on out of state players and will use the portal. It's an interesting concept that I don't this is sustainable long term. You will continue to see us doing well in state other than maybe one or two that are just hell bent on going out of state.

Ole miss coaches have openly told a lot of HS coaches this exact thing. It will hurt them in time if not this year.

Will Hall and USM are going to be back sooner than you think. They are doing a great job with MS kids and HS coaches

[HancockCountyDog]

Ole miss coaches have openly told a lot of HS coaches this exact thing. It will hurt them in time if not this year.

Will Hall and USM are going to be back sooner than you think. They are doing a great job with MS kids and HS coaches

The only problem with going with an in-state philosophy is that you get stuck with kids that aren't SEC material. I think coaches need to be able to show kids the portal. I don't like it, but if we are going to play in the SEC, what I want to do is let USM sign a bunch of in-state kids and the ones that develop can transfer to MSU after USM develops them.

Why waste a scholarship for two years, let USM do the heavy lifting and then let them transfer to a real school. It is the new normal.

[BuckyIsAB****]

The only problem with going with an in-state philosophy is that you get stuck with kids that aren't SEC material. I think coaches need to be able to show kids the portal. I don't like it, but if we are going to play in the SEC, what I want to do is let USM sign a bunch of in-state kids and the ones that develop can transfer to MSU after USM develops them.

Why waste a scholarship for two years, let USM do the heavy lifting and then let them transfer to a real school. It is the new normal.

Those kids arent just going to up and leave. And if they do im not sure they are ones that you want anyway. These arent robots they are human beings. Relationships and trust still matter.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Saw where Caleb Bryant committed to Utah.
Coach Bump doing work!

[WhiskeyPirate]

A plus for the air raid is it will always get looks from q bs and receivers that might otherwise not consider you. I think Leach still has a lot of connections with Texas HS coaches and will continue to pull recruits from that state. Louisiana is the other state that is talent rich and will always have a few players who don’t get offers from LSU but are sec level players.

I think the portal will help us. It really won’t help the blue bloods but there will be starter quality players buried on the depth chart who will be looking to play in the air raid or an sec defense.

[Hot Rock]

The only problem with going with an in-state philosophy is that you get stuck with kids that aren't SEC material. I think coaches need to be able to show kids the portal. I don't like it, but if we are going to play in the SEC, what I want to do is let USM sign a bunch of in-state kids and the ones that develop can transfer to MSU after USM develops them.

Why waste a scholarship for two years, let USM do the heavy lifting and then let them transfer to a real school. It is the new normal.

What you seem to be missing is that there are 12-18 Mississippi guys that are SEC quality every year. You get all of them you can and hit TX, LA, AL, GA and Fla to get up to 18-22 every year. The rest are portal and Juco's. You don't go after the ones that aren't SEC worthy but you do go after the ones that you think will be.

You don't sit around and let Southern Miss get good with these guys, who says they will want to leave if they are good.

[Cooterpoot]

Anyone that thinks USM is going to be good EVER has lost their minds.

[WhiskeyPirate]

What you seem to be missing is that there are 12-18 Mississippi guys that are SEC quality every year. You get all of them you can and hit TX, LA, AL, GA and Fla to get up to 18-22 every year. The rest are portal and Juco's. You don't go after the ones that aren't SEC worthy but you do go after the ones that you think will be.

You don't sit around and let Southern Miss get good with these guys, who says they will want to leave if they are good.
Aside from La and Texas, Georgia seems to be the other state this staff targets, I think Miller has some connections there.

Having followed other programs, and lived in other regions of the country, I’m still amazed with the talent per capita in Mississippi and La.

[Todd4State]

I actually think it's smart to start working out of state. The big boys have proven they WILL come into MS and take a portion of the Top 10 guys in state and we have to adjust to that.

The depth of talent in the state is not enough to support the rosters of MSU and OM while also hemorrhaging top tier talent to the big boys.

We need to start doing the same thing if we want to compete. Alabama, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana have depth of talent that we can capitalize on.

3 of the Top 10 in the 2023 cycle in MS are committed out of state. Will those 3 stay that way? Maybe not. But MS currently has five 4 stars this cycle. Every surrounding state has at least triple that number.

MS does have a lot of overlooked talent. We know that. But out of state is the way to go when it comes to being able to compete. We still need to find overlooked talent in MS. But we've got to push out of state more to fill our roster because there's a lot of talent to be had there.

The thing is a lot of Mississippi players are raw. But with coaching in college they can become really good players. MSU has a long history of overlooking talented players from Mississippi- Rice, Payton, Favre- those are players that could have changed the complete perception of our program entirely. We don't find those players if we're chasing some three star from Florida and try to pretend that's the equivalent of a four star from Mississippi. We've been better lately- see Chris Jones. He and guys like Benardrick McKinney are probably at USM 20 years ago.

Honestly, I would prefer to build a program with Mississippians and then any out of state four star player we can get. It seems like the out of state guys we get for the most part are just as raw and rarely pan out as much.

After Leach I would like to see us get away from a "system coach" and hire someone more like a Shane Beamer that can recruit really well and clean out the state and has a scheme that is pretty basic and simple and flexible so that we don't have to tell Gardner Minchew to go to Wazzu because he doesn't fit our spread option scheme. Find the best players and fit the scheme around them.

[Todd4State]

A plus for the air raid is it will always get looks from q bs and receivers that might otherwise not consider you. I think Leach still has a lot of connections with Texas HS coaches and will continue to pull recruits from that state. Louisiana is the other state that is talent rich and will always have a few players who don’t get offers from LSU but are sec level players.

I think the portal will help us. It really won’t help the blue bloods but there will be starter quality players buried on the depth chart who will be looking to play in the air raid or an sec defense.

That is a really good thing because QB and WR are historically the things we recruit the weakest at.

[MetEdDawg]

The thing is a lot of Mississippi players are raw. But with coaching in college they can become really good players. MSU has a long history of overlooking talented players from Mississippi- Rice, Payton, Favre- those are players that could have changed the complete perception of our program entirely. We don't find those players if we're chasing some three star from Florida and try to pretend that's the equivalent of a four star from Mississippi. We've been better lately- see Chris Jones. He and guys like Benardrick McKinney are probably at USM 20 years ago.

Honestly, I would prefer to build a program with Mississippians and then any out of state four star player we can get. It seems like the out of state guys we get for the most part are just as raw and rarely pan out as much.

After Leach I would like to see us get away from a "system coach" and hire someone more like a Shane Beamer that can recruit really well and clean out the state and has a scheme that is pretty basic and simple and flexible so that we don't have to tell Gardner Minchew to go to Wazzu because he doesn't fit our spread option scheme. Find the best players and fit the scheme around them.

I get your thought here and I want to recruit MS hard. We have to.

But here's what I will say. Everyone uses the example of Favre, Payton, and Rice. Do we have have any examples over the last 20-25 years of overlooked guys that made an impact in the league from MS that's anywhere close to the impact they made? Certainly we've had some make a huge impact for us. McKinney is a big one.

I struggle to find someone using modern day scouting and evaluation that just gets overlooked. Chris Jones is the closest comparison, but he was a 5 star by the time his recruitment ended.

I want in state 4 star guys. They pan out a good percent of the time. But we aren't talking about not taking MS 4 stars for out of state 3 stars. I'm talking about spots 15-25 of a class. Are we really getting the bang for our time and efforts out of the MS guys that are the last 7-10 guys of a class? Go back and look over the last decade and you will see a lot of not great both at MSU and other schools.

The Top 25 in Mississippi every year doesn't have 25 SEC caliber players. The Top 25 in AL, TX, TN, FL, GA, and LA does. We've got to dig into the depths of other states. There's a reason other decent schools aren't coming into MS and taking players outside the Top 15 in the state. Lowest ranked MS player taken by a good out of state SEC school in 2022 was ranked 13. Lowest ranked AL player taken by a good out of state SEC school in 2022 was at 42.

We've got to go out of state to fill out more of class. Can't abandon MS completely, but the data has always shown the state of MS can't support the talent for 2 SEC teams to be competitive year in and year out.

[WhiskeyPirate]

I’m not sure Al or Tenn top 25 is superior to Miss top 25 every year.

Walter Payton getting overlooked has to be the worst blunder in the history of sports lol. It’s like cutting Babe Ruth in little league.

[BrunswickDawg]

I get your thought here and I want to recruit MS hard. We have to.

But here's what I will say. Everyone uses the example of Favre, Payton, and Rice. Do we have have any examples over the last 20-25 years of overlooked guys that made an impact in the league from MS that's anywhere close to the impact they made? Certainly we've had some make a huge impact for us. McKinney is a big one.

I struggle to find someone using modern day scouting and evaluation that just gets overlooked. Chris Jones is the closest comparison, but he was a 5 star by the time his recruitment ended.

I want in state 4 star guys. They pan out a good percent of the time. But we aren't talking about not taking MS 4 stars for out of state 3 stars. I'm talking about spots 15-25 of a class. Are we really getting the bang for our time and efforts out of the MS guys that are the last 7-10 guys of a class? Go back and look over the last decade and you will see a lot of not great both at MSU and other schools.

The Top 25 in Mississippi every year doesn't have 25 SEC caliber players. The Top 25 in AL, TX, TN, FL, GA, and LA does. We've got to dig into the depths of other states. There's a reason other decent schools aren't coming into MS and taking players outside the Top 15 in the state. Lowest ranked MS player taken by a good out of state SEC school in 2022 was ranked 13. Lowest ranked AL player taken by a good out of state SEC school in 2022 was at 42.

We've got to go out of state to fill out more of class. Can't abandon MS completely, but the data has always shown the state of MS can't support the talent for 2 SEC teams to be competitive year in and year out.

Met - I think this is pretty spot on. It was real easy to overlook those guys in the 70s and 80s because scouting was so limited. The internet, staff sizes, 7v7 camps, etc have ended that. Farve was really the last one - but Farve was kind of the Nick Fitzgerald of the 80s. He ran QB in a wishbone offense and rarely threw more than 5 times a game. Southern was his only offer. Even McNair wasn't exactly overlooked, teams wanted him on defense instead of QB. People forget McNair was All-State as a QB, but All-American as a Safety in HS. He bet on himself as a QB and won.

The thing about MS high schools vs. AL, TX, GA etc is money. MS schools for the most part can't match the investment in development that kids in those states get. I look at the high school here that took our old middle school gym and converted it into a football only facility with nutrition area, state of the art weight room, a small IDP, training room with ice pool and sauna, film rooms for each position group, tutoring rooms, and pay the Head Coach $140,000 a year and think "damn, this is nicer than some FCS schools have it". Kids on the team practically live there year round. We don't have fat kids playing OL/DL like when I was in school, they are chiseled athletes at 16.
And we are small time compared to some of the Metro ATL schools and legendary south Georgia programs like Valdosta, Colquitt, Lowndes or Camden. And Glynn Academy doesn't even put as many kids in D1 as our cross-town rival Brunswick High - who seem to have a D1 OL or DB every single year. So, unless MS high schools can start matching $ with schools in surrounding states, we are going to have to focus much broader than in the past because we can't take the time to red-shirt the entire Freshman class of MS kids anymore so they can get in shape and learn the game.

[MetEdDawg]

I?m not sure Al or Tenn top 25 is superior to Miss top 25 every year.

Walter Payton getting overlooked has to be the worst blunder in the history of sports lol. It?s like cutting Babe Ruth in little league.

Go look at how the Top 25 in those states are getting recruited then get back to me. A lot of people think the same thing as you until they actually go look at the data. The data shows the Top 25 in both of those states is significantly deeper than it is in MS.

And like I said in my earlier post. If you can find someone in the modern recruiting era from MS that is similar to the 3 that always get mentioned as being overlooked, I would like to know who they are. Because I don't think they exist.

Too many fans continue to think that MS is on par with other states from a depth of talent perspective. It's simply not the case folks and there isn't any data out there to support it. Sure we've got the high per capita NFL player stat. But per capita doesn't build consistent winning football teams when you don't have a lot of high end players to begin with. 25 of the Top 50 in MS signed a P5 scholarship in 2022. 36 in Alabama did.

Number of P5 schools represented in the 36 from Alabama? 23. Number of P5 schools represented in the 25 committed from Mississippi in 2022? 13. So of the 25 that signed P5, that means 11 other P5 teams took some of our talent. That's almost half. And 5 of those 11 took someone from the Top 10 in the state.

We need to modernize our thinking. Recruiting isn't local anymore. It's regional and national. If we think we can win just taking MS talent, we are already behind the 8 ball because we aren't going to get every recruit in MS period. And even if we did, it's not enough to sustain a program at an SEC level.

[Hot Rock]

The only problem with going with an in-state philosophy is that you get stuck with kids that aren't SEC material. I think coaches need to be able to show kids the portal. I don't like it, but if we are going to play in the SEC, what I want to do is let USM sign a bunch of in-state kids and the ones that develop can transfer to MSU after USM develops them.

Why waste a scholarship for two years, let USM do the heavy lifting and then let them transfer to a real school. It is the new normal.

Leach has said many times, he will not just take a player simply because he is from Mississippi. He really evaluates them and if there is a guy he can get better elsewhere, he will do so but he also said he won't fly over a guy to get a similar guy either.

The key is either you trust his offers or you don't. So far, all of his offers in-state have seemed like legit offers to me and SEC level athletes.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Big difference between the 25th rated player in Mississippi vs 25th rated player in Georgia. We used to recruit Georgia especially Atlanta area very hard.

[BrunswickDawg]

Big difference between the 25th rated player in Mississippi vs 25th rated player in Georgia. We used to recruit Georgia especially Atlanta area very hard.

I had actually forgotten how many we used to get. I remember Jackie always grabbing 3-4, and for every Walt Harris he landed he got a Rodney Hudson. But, I went and scrolled thru 24/7's class info, and I was surprised at how many Jackie and Croom brought in. Jackie usually had 3-4 split between freshman and JUCOs from Middle Georgia or Georgia Military (who were the EMCC of the late 90s and early 00s), but Croom brought in 6 GA kids in '05 and also almost always had 3-4. That number really dwindled under Mullen to 1 or 2 a year at most - although he got some real good ones in Slay, Preston Smith, & Fitz. Sloppy Joe signed 1. And Leach seems a little more interested - he signed two this year and got the UGA transfer WR who is from GA. Leach and staff have also participated in HS camps at Valdosta State each year - so they are out there looking.

[Cooterpoot]

Thompkins used to kill it in GA.

[Todd4State]

I get your thought here and I want to recruit MS hard. We have to.

But here's what I will say. Everyone uses the example of Favre, Payton, and Rice. Do we have have any examples over the last 20-25 years of overlooked guys that made an impact in the league from MS that's anywhere close to the impact they made? Certainly we've had some make a huge impact for us. McKinney is a big one.

I struggle to find someone using modern day scouting and evaluation that just gets overlooked. Chris Jones is the closest comparison, but he was a 5 star by the time his recruitment ended.

I want in state 4 star guys. They pan out a good percent of the time. But we aren't talking about not taking MS 4 stars for out of state 3 stars. I'm talking about spots 15-25 of a class. Are we really getting the bang for our time and efforts out of the MS guys that are the last 7-10 guys of a class? Go back and look over the last decade and you will see a lot of not great both at MSU and other schools.

The Top 25 in Mississippi every year doesn't have 25 SEC caliber players. The Top 25 in AL, TX, TN, FL, GA, and LA does. We've got to dig into the depths of other states. There's a reason other decent schools aren't coming into MS and taking players outside the Top 15 in the state. Lowest ranked MS player taken by a good out of state SEC school in 2022 was ranked 13. Lowest ranked AL player taken by a good out of state SEC school in 2022 was at 42.

We've got to go out of state to fill out more of class. Can't abandon MS completely, but the data has always shown the state of MS can't support the talent for 2 SEC teams to be competitive year in and year out.

Those three are among the top 25 players of all time- two are easily top 5. That's a really high bar.

I can think of a few that we had that were overlooked- Eric Moulds, Jonthan Banks, from back in that era of Payton and Rice we had Kent Hull who was overlooked out of high school, Fred Smoot, JT Gray who Dan should have started- he's a pro bowler. Darius Slay came from a Mississippi JUCO even though he is from Georgia. We may say the same thing about Walley who was underrated one day.

[Hambone]

https://twitter.com/poole_nakai/status/1540457403233308679?s=21&t=0GpuygqcQlIyu9YR3Yr3Jg

[bulldawg28]

Georgia pickups are generally great!

[WhiskeyPirate]

Georgia pickups are generally great!

Dudes a beast. Watch his film, and look at his offer sheet. 6-3 205 now will be 6-3 and 220 with YAC.

[Bothrops]

We have one elite rated instate recruit left on our roster, the other was landed by Moorhead 4 years ago, and is now in the NFL. We used to do better here, and could mix those kids with the hidden gems and developmental kids for our best recipe for success. More of these former guys are leaving the state now, and I don't know if that can change, even a little with the NIL in play.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

We have one elite rated instate recruit left on our roster, the other was landed by Moorhead 4 years ago, and is now in the NFL. We used to do better here, and could mix those kids with the hidden gems and developmental kids for our best recipe for success. More of these former guys are leaving the state now, and I don't know if that can change, even a little with the NIL in play.

Trevion Williams is an elite Instate kid. He just didn’t get that big late ratings bump like others because he didn’t get the AA game performance like others.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Trevion Williams is an elite Instate kid. He just didn’t get that big late ratings bump like others because he didn’t get the AA game performance like others.

Definitely

If you can stack classes like last years, you can win a lot of games IMO. I’ll take classes like 2022 every year.

[Cooterpoot]

Hubbard committed to AL. You can mark him off the list.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Hubbard committed to AL. You can mark him off the list.

He didn’t have the mechanics or intangibles to play q b for Leach but I think he’s going to ride the bench four years at Bama or transfer out. Great athlete but there will be too many five stars ahead of him. Bad decision.

[Hambone]

Dude, he’s going as a DB, not a QB.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

Dude, he’s going as a DB, not a QB.
Correct and we were recruiting him as a WR.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Dude, he’s going as a DB, not a QB.

I know that. I think he could have played q b and done well at a school like Kansas state or Nebraska. Doesn’t change the fact he won’t see the field at Bama

[TimberBeast]

Hubbard committed to AL. You can mark him off the list.
No

[FISHDAWG]

saw on another board where we just got a commitment from a kicker from Kosciusko as a PWO ... I didn't link it here because it came from another board - I thought we already had a new stable of kickers for this year ... I guess there is no such thing as having too many ?

[BrunswickDawg]

saw on another board where we just got a commitment from a kicker from Kosciusko as a PWO ... I didn't link it here because it came from another board - I thought we already had a new stable of kickers for this year ... I guess there is no such thing as having too many ?

I think if there is one thing we have learned over the years, you can never have too many PWO kickers hanging around.

[KOdawg1]

Not 2023 news, but Braedyn Locke got bumped up to an 89 composite 4 star on 247.

That makes 6 composite 4 stars in last year's HS class.

Several of our transfers were either 4 stars out of high school or were reranked as 4 stars in the portal, so we quietly put together a nice class.

[662dawg]

Not 2023 news, but Braedyn Locke got bumped up to an 89 composite 4 star on 247.

That makes 6 composite 4 stars in last year's HS class.

Several of our transfers were either 4 stars out of high school or were reranked as 4 stars in the portal, so we quietly put together a nice class.

Is Will Rogers the least rated QB out of high school on scholarship?

[KOdawg1]

Is Will Rogers the least rated QB out of high school on scholarship?

I think Greek was ranked lower

[Bothrops]

Not 2023 news, but Braedyn Locke got bumped up to an 89 composite 4 star on 247.

That makes 6 composite 4 stars in last year's HS class.

Several of our transfers were either 4 stars out of high school or were reranked as 4 stars in the portal, so we quietly put together a nice class.

Rivals sure did like our 22 class. Either that, or they're trying to get new subscriptions. They have us way ahead of Ole Miss, and ahead of Arkansas, Auburn and SC. #16 as of yesterday.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Rivals lists Joe Crocker as lean towards State as of today

Would be a good get

[Leeshouldveflanked]

I think Greek was ranked lower

Greek has a Younger Brother Nathan that is a 6 foot 5 225 lb Air Raid QB in Texas. He will be a 2023 grad and is rated as a 3 star right now.

[Dawgfan77]

Greek has a Younger Brother Nathan that is a 6 foot 5 225 lb Air Raid QB in Texas. He will be a 2023 grad and is rated as a 3 star right now.

If he was on our radar he would already have an offer. After all this is the class of 23 we are recruiting

[BuckyIsAB****]

If he was on our radar he would already have an offer. After all this is the class of 23 we are recruiting

Havent really put a lot into Will Rogers brother either and he is one of the best OL in the state

[StarkVegasSteve]

Parsons just officially decommited from FSU. Things are about to get mighty interesting for the 23 class if he comes on board.

[KOdawg1]

If Leach lands a true dual threat QB, it'll show me he's willing to adapt, which is something he hasn't done much of in his career

[Quaoarsking]

If Leach lands a true dual threat QB, it'll show me he's willing to adapt, which is something he hasn't done much of in his career

It would be a pretty good sign that he's planning on spending the 2020s here, rather than retiring soon.

[MetEdDawg]

Any chance we get Khai Prean?

He named us in his final 4 yesterday with Bama, LSU, and FSU.

I usually assume no in situations like this but figured I would ask if anyone had any info here.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Any chance we get Khai Prean?

He named us in his final 4 yesterday with Bama, LSU, and FSU.

I usually assume no in situations like this but figured I would ask if anyone had any info here.

Auburn not Bama but he’s LSU bound by all indications.

[TaleofTwoDogs]

Any chance we get Khai Prean?

He named us in his final 4 yesterday with Bama, LSU, and FSU.

I usually assume no in situations like this but figured I would ask if anyone had any info here.

...Auburn not Bama but he’s LSU bound by all indications.


Ho hum. Same ole same ole. We need to get back in our place in the cellar and return to pursuing those 2 & 3 stars and hope for a Dak TE or something once in a while.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

...Auburn not Bama but he’s LSU bound by all indications.


Ho hum. Same ole same ole. We need to get back in our place in the cellar and return to pursuing those 2 & 3 stars and hope for a Dak TE or something once in a while.

When have we ever pulled a 4* from Louisiana that LSU wants? This isn’t some new revelation.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Rivals lists Crocker at 100% state and parsons as a strong lean state. Are we going to sign both of these guys ?

[Bothrops]

Rivals lists Crocker at 100% state and parsons as a strong lean state. Are we going to sign both of these guys ?

Assuming we have a positive season, I think so.

[ZedFedder]

Crocker in.

[Goldendawg]

Crocker in.

.8863 ranking, 6-6 310, 31 P5 offers many from Blue Bloods, 15th best TN prospect, 39th best OT ranking, our second highest rated commit and crickets on this thread. Some here would much rather complain about who don't get than who we do. Welcome aboard Mr. Crocker and Hail State!

[FISHDAWG]

.8863 ranking, 6-6 310, 31 P5 offers many from Blue Bloods, 15th best TN prospect, 39th best OT ranking, our second highest rated commit and crickets on this thread. Some here would much rather complain about who don't get than who we do. Welcome aboard Mr. Crocker and Hail State!

this is exciting ... didn't know the particulars until you posted - thanks

[Catfish]

.8863 ranking, 6-6 310, 31 P5 offers many from Blue Bloods, 15th best TN prospect, 39th best OT ranking, our second highest rated commit and crickets on this thread. Some here would much rather complain about who don't get than who we do. Welcome aboard Mr. Crocker and Hail State!

Love it.

[BuckyIsAB****]

And OM has 5 commits and only 2 are from MS but Lane Train

[WhiskeyPirate]

That’s two big 4 star offensive tackles in this class. Good foundation.

[Bothrops]

Crocker was a great pick up. Lots of Louisiana talent won't be going to LSU in this cycle. Hope we notice.

[Dawgfan77]

Crocker was a great pick up. Lots of Louisiana talent won't be going to LSU in this cycle. Hope we notice.

Crocker is from TN but yes LA should be a state we work in

[Hambone]

This weekend should be a big weekend, correct?

[Leeshouldveflanked]

And OM has 5 commits and only 2 are from MS but Lane Train
Lane Train has made it known that his strategy is to raid the Transfer Portal and not to develop Mississippi High School players.

[Goldendawg]

Lane Train has made it known that his strategy is to raid the Transfer Portal and not to develop Mississippi High School players.

I see this as good for us, a healthy mix of the best HS players we can get and needed portal players. If Lane can take 19 portal players and turn them into a successful team starting this August, I will be impressed, but not like it in the least.

[Dawg-gone-dawgs]

Lane Train has made it known that his strategy is to raid the Transfer Portal and not to develop Mississippi High School players.
based on Lane's comments about NIL paired with what you just said points to him not planning to be at his current institution for very much longer

[Pancho]

when is Satan retiring?

[Leeshouldveflanked]

when is Satan retiring?
Revelation 20:10

[Pancho]

nothing there about a purty momma

[KOdawg1]

I'm pleased with our recruiting class so far.

Seth Davis is a legit RB prospect with multiple SEC and P5 offers. If he was 5'11 and a few pounds heavier, he'd be a solid 4 star.

Ty Jones is another good player. I think he grows and moves to defense. Might be a LB.

Crocker and Ellis are two SEC O-linemen. We're also on some other really good OL. Coach Miller is earning his paycheck with his unit's recruiting so far.

Jaylen Aborom is a steal imo. Very athletic CB.

I'm not so sure about Kelley Jones though. Feel like we may have rushed that one. But we'll see.

[Hambone]

Crocker and Ellis are two SEC D-linemen.
Pretty sure they are going to play on the offensive line

[KOdawg1]

Pretty sure they are going to play on the offensive line

Typo on my part

[Bothrops]

I'm not so sure about Kelley Jones though. Feel like we may have rushed that one. But we'll see.

Why? His video shows otherwise.

[KOdawg1]

Why? His video shows otherwise.
Just feel like he's a guy you can get later in the process if you wanted him. But like I said, we'll see.

[Bdawg]

This weekend should be a big weekend, correct?

So what happened with this weekend? Wasn't Parson supposed to visit? I haven't heard a peep if he did? Anyone know how this is going?

[Cooterpoot]

I'm pleased with our recruiting class so far.

Seth Davis is a legit RB prospect with multiple SEC and P5 offers. If he was 5'11 and a few pounds heavier, he'd be a solid 4 star.

Ty Jones is another good player. I think he grows and moves to defense. Might be a LB.

Crocker and Ellis are two SEC O-linemen. We're also on some other really good OL. Coach Miller is earning his paycheck with his unit's recruiting so far.

Jaylen Aborom is a steal imo. Very athletic CB.

I'm not so sure about Kelley Jones though. Feel like we may have rushed that one. But we'll see.

Da hell?

[Pancho]

What is the skinny on the 6'7" OL from Tupelo with multiple SEC offers, is he a MSU lean? What about Autry, the TCPS -OL transfer who is now at IAHS?

[KOdawg1]

Da hell?

Is reading not your strong suit?

[Hambone]

So what happened with this weekend? Wasn't Parson supposed to visit? I haven't heard a peep if he did? Anyone know how this is going?

I jumped the gun, it?s this weekend. I thought it was last weekend.

[MetEdDawg]

Tobias Hinton commits. That's a solid get for us.

[Hambone]

https://twitter.com/thee_matty_d/status/1553050284796121089?s=21&t=ptwAsDwNy51EaQCr1F4yIg

[BuckyIsAB****]

But NIL? Leach cant croot? Lane train? Lane Train???!!

[Cooterpoot]

Is reading not your strong suit?

No, not all

[FISHDAWG]

Tobias Hinton commits. That's a solid get for us.

https://247sports.com/player/tabias-hinton-46112795/

[MetEdDawg]

Zay Alexander in the boat as well.

https://247sports.com/player/zay-alexander-46116458/

[WhiskeyPirate]

Zay Alexander in the boat as well.

https://247sports.com/player/zay-alexander-46116458/

Wow

That?s going to one hell of a o line in 3 years

Imagine Locke and a roster full of four star receivers behind that o line

[KOdawg1]

Like I said awhile back, our OL recruiting has been really good. Kudos to coach Miller

[KOdawg1]

Wow

That?s going to one hell of a o line in 3 years

Imagine Locke and a roster full of four star receivers behind that o line

Imagine that OL, the receivers, and a QB that can tuck it and go.

We might be getting that with Chris Parson soon

[Hot Rock]

If the game truly is won upfront, this is how it?s done. I can see why the air raid can work with enough OL like these guys. Makes sense now

[Goldendawg]

Welcome Zay! Hail State!

[WhiskeyPirate]

Right now the NIL is the wild Wild West with no regulation or oversight. Oversight and regulation are coming. But even in this environment we are recruiting very well. I think the concept of this being the last year of being competitive due to NIL may be vastly overblown. Keep locking up top 20 instate kids and bring in the kind out of out of state players we are getting and things will be just fine.

The older I get the more I realize, Everything on offense centers around the O line. If you have a great o line even mediocre backs and q bs can look good with huge holes and all day to throw. Conversely if your o line sucks you can have Tom Brady at q b and Walter Payton at RB and they will not be able to do jack squat. Just a fact.

[sscjr1]

And Zakari Tillman

[Catfish]

Looking good!!!!

[sscjr1]

Looks like more to come

[MetEdDawg]

The prevailing thought is that we will potentially see some more commits today.

Any info on who might pull the trigger today?

[ZedFedder]

Based off of crystal ball, JUCO WR Jacoby Bellazar will

[ZedFedder]

It would be awesome if we could get Parson in.

[No BS Dawg]

Based off of crystal ball, JUCO WR Jacoby Bellazar will

Anybody have any insight on Bellazar? I haven?t heard anything about him.

[RiverCityDawg]

Anybody have any insight on Bellazar? I haven?t heard anything about him.

He timed under 4.5 when he ran for our coaches last camp. Speed shows up on tape too.

[MetEdDawg]

Bellazar made it official this afternoon.

Supposed to have Chris Parson and all of his family coming on campus today. Maybe some good news there?

[Bdawg]

Can we get a conformation that Parson is on campus? Thanks.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Anybody have any insight on Bellazar? I haven?t heard anything about him.

Runs a 4.38 , extremely quick player. Watch his film, the defensive players look like they are in slow motion. Looks like a very dangerous weapon for the air raid.

[Hambone]

https://twitter.com/c_parson2/status/1553779708139130885?s=21&t=CMxx0sGvNSfYKjQADIwgZA
Can we get a conformation that Parson is on campus? Thanks.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

https://twitter.com/c_parson2/status/1553779708139130885?s=21&t=CMxx0sGvNSfYKjQADIwgZA
Lane Kiffin show recruits around Oxford in Bentleys and Sports Cars and we show them around in a golf cart 🤷

[Dawgology]

Lane Kiffin show recruits around Oxford in Bentleys and Sports Cars and we show them around in a golf cart ��

That’s just not States style. Never has been. Never will be. The type of player that is drawn to that has never chosen State. It is what it is.

[Maverick91]

Any news on how parson liked the trip?

[Hambone]

Lane Kiffin show recruits around Oxford in Bentleys and Sports Cars and we show them around in a golf cart ��

He does do that, but the locals around here laugh at him. Those cars are rented or are his “buddies”. None of those cars are his.

[Leeshouldveflanked]

He does do that, but the locals around here laugh at him. Those cars are rented or are his “buddies”. None of those cars are his.
I imagine Layla drives some nice cars.

[ZedFedder]

https://mobile.twitter.com/justinbrown_6/status/1555637063764033537

[Lord McBuckethead]

Justin Brown Commits. Great for that young man.

[ZedFedder]

Justin Brown committed.

[KOdawg1]

Commit list on page 1 has been updated

[Hambone]

Any reason for concern why the QB hasn’t committed yet?

[Westdawg]

Any reason for concern why the QB hasn’t committed yet?

He?s a Blue Chip - he?s gonna play the field for a bit longer?that NIL bidding war is just getting started

[Hambone]

He?s a Blue Chip - he?s gonna play the field for a bit longer?that NIL bidding war is just getting started

Na, 45 of the top 46 QB’s have already committed. Chris Parson is rated the 19th best QB and is the only one that isn’t committed to a school. All of this according to 24/7.

[WhiskeyPirate]

When u r looking at making the nfl and going to a school that throws 60 times a game......nil isn’t the end all or be all

[Ifyouonlyknew]

He?s a Blue Chip - he?s gonna play the field for a bit longer?that NIL bidding war is just getting started

Incorrect

[Westdawg]

Incorrect
Apologies y?all - I forgot the **

I was seriously being sarcastic. I crashed and burned on that one

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Apologies y?all - I forgot the **

I was seriously being sarcastic. I crashed and burned on that one

My bad

[No BS Dawg]

From what I?m hearing, Parsons loves MSU, coaches, etc? I?m told we are in a good place with him, but these things remain fluid until a name is signed on the dotted line.

[Tripp McNeely]

From what I?m hearing, Parsons loves MSU, coaches, etc? I?m told we are in a good place with him, but these things remain fluid until a name is signed on the dotted line.

I think it's been done for awhile. He just wants his moment in the sun.

[Goldendawg]

I am very pleased with commits thus far. Several ranked from .87.... to .89. Would probably be ranked 4 stars at another SEC "power". Really, how do you rank a .88 vs. a .90? I will be glad to see the number of commits grow. Anyone know how strong we are with the safety from Fulton? Thanks, Hail State?

[No BS Dawg]

Justin Brown isn?t getting the national attention he deserves either. He is definitely a 4* talent and should be rated as such across the board. He is a really great pick up for us. He will be one we will have to fight off others for before it?s over. I like what the staff is doing with recruiting and who they are pulling. More to come?

[Bothrops]

Justin Brown isn?t getting the national attention he deserves either. He is definitely a 4* talent and should be rated as such across the board. He is a really great pick up for us. He will be one we will have to fight off others for before it?s over. I like what the staff is doing with recruiting and who they are pulling. More to come?

Agree

[FISHDAWG]

My bad

No not your bad ... we appreciate the clarity you bring to the board... thanks

[Hambone]

https://twitter.com/bulldawgs247/status/1557384817766957056?s=21&t=oq_dEhEwDcpREhYFBOBHxQ

[ZedFedder]

I hope his decision will get some others in the boat.

[SilentSteel16]

I will never pretend to be the one who knows all about recruiting and player rankings and all that but, if this Parson kid is so good (which I hope he really is) then why is our competition for him SMU, TCU and Va Tech? Is it because most other schools already have their QB of choice? Or did SMU TCU and Va Tech quietly become important?

[SilentSteel16]

Again I am not even remotely knocking this player just asking why those schools and not other SEC schools or other P5 schools are not getting in on this kid?

[Pancho]

I believe most if not all of the more prominent schools already have a QB in this class or overall simply think they don't need him.

[Hot Rock]

He was committed to FSU for the past year?lots of positions may be filled but Leach brings some serious clout and he grandparents live in Starkville and his Dad got an engineering degree here. Lots of reasons

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Again I am not even remotely knocking this player just asking why those schools and not other SEC schools or other P5 schools are not getting in on this kid?

LSU - 4* commit
Bama - 2 4* commit
OM - 4* commit
Arkansas - 4* commit
Auburn - Reached out no interest from Parson
Texas A&M - Reached out but chasing USC Malachi Nelson

That’s just the West. There’s not many SEC schools looking for a QB now.

[Goldendawg]

2023 Preferred Walk on commit kicker, Carson Allen from Woodstock, GA, Etowah HS, #41 nationally, pre-season Atlanta-Journal Constitution 6A All State. Also drew attention from Purdue, Indiana, Vandy. Clarion Ledger or Yahoo Sports.com.

[FISHDAWG]

2023 Preferred Walk on commit kicker, Carson Allen from Woodstock, GA, Etowah HS, #41 nationally, pre-season Atlanta-Journal Constitution 6A All State. Also drew attention from Purdue, Indiana, Vandy. Clarion Ledger or Yahoo Sports.com.

That's next door to me - I'll make sure he gets to campus.... Do we ever put a kicker on schollie ? Do other schools put a kicker on scholarship ? Just seems to me that it is such an important position that it would be wise to target and offer the premium kickers .... caveat - I may have this wrong but I just don't know.
Anyway - welcome aboard Carson

[HancockCountyDog]

I will never pretend to be the one who knows all about recruiting and player rankings and all that but, if this Parson kid is so good (which I hope he really is) then why is our competition for him SMU, TCU and Va Tech? Is it because most other schools already have their QB of choice? Or did SMU TCU and Va Tech quietly become important?

He could have committed to probably 25-30 power 5 schools 6 months ago. Once schools land a QB, most stop recruiting other QB's. The reason they do that is so that what happened to FSU doesn't happen to them.

They decided to try and sign two QBs. That can normally be ok, as long as both aren't considered elite. Parsons is considered elite and once FSU went after another blue chip QB, he started to look around too.

FSU handled it about as well as they handled the recruitment of the kid that signed with Jackson State last year.

[Goldendawg]

That's next door to me - I'll make sure he gets to campus.... Do we ever put a kicker on schollie ? Do other schools put a kicker on scholarship ? Just seems to me that it is such an important position that it would be wise to target and offer the premium kickers .... caveat - I may have this wrong but I just don't know.
Anyway - welcome aboard Carson

Most are put on scholarship if they do well and become starters. We have given a few full rides in the past if they were very highly coveted out of HS.

[AROB44]

I have heard that he will be on a full academic scholarship.

[FISHDAWG]

Any word on Parson ? He was supposed to announce today

[ZedFedder]

He’s committed.

[TrapGame]

Any word on Parson ? He was supposed to announce today

Yep, we got him.

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/high-school/2022/08/12/chris-parson-mississippi-state-football-recruiting-qb-former-florida-state/10308036002/

[FISHDAWG]

Awesome... it's gonna be fun watching the emergence of our next QB after Will ... I think Will is gonna get the job done this year and next but it's a cool thing to know we have Sawyer and Chris waiting on their shot ... welcome aboard Chris and Hail State

[No BS Dawg]

Film room is filling up with QB?s, and good ones at that. Competition should be tremendous, but we will almost certainly lose some to the portal as it all plays out. Have we ever had this much QB talent on/coming to campus in the history of our program?!

[WhiskeyPirate]

Crocker, Brown and Parson....we are putting a dent in Tennessee. All three of those guys are four star talents.

[KOdawg1]

3 four star QBs in a row for Leach. That's how you build a QB room

[MetEdDawg]

Bellazar got a big bump yesterday. Now the #4 overall juco in the country and the #2 juco WR.

Obviously early but we currently sit at #35 in the team rankings. We've got guys we are still on that can move the needle like Isaac Smith, Santana Fleming, and Caleb Bryant.

Hopefully Parson sets the stage for us to get some others on board.

[Hot Rock]

Those three names would round this class out nicely. Add a few more from here and there and then the portal giveth and taketh season. I truly believe State's roster will be able to compete with all but the very elite teams for the foreseeable future especially if the NIL deals level off a bit.

Why do I think that? I look at the lowest rated guys and think... Dang these guys are 6' 2-4" 180 -205 lbs and as athletic as hell but are ranked an 84-85? Then you look at their HS careers and they are playing QB or WR and will be playing a different position in college. They may need some time to learn the position but they possess the size and athleticism of the 4 star level players.

[1bigdawg]

Need some strong hits in recruiting for the interior DL. Take the seniors off and look at the depth chart. We need two strong HS signees and two portal guys for balance.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

Need some strong hits in recruiting for the interior DL. Take the seniors off and look at the depth chart. We need two strong HS signees and two portal guys for balance.

Pickering likely returns next year & Jevon Banks are 2 guys who can play just not a lot of P/T available. We’ll still be fine next year. If Pickering decides not to come back then you get a transfer.

[Lord McBuckethead]

How do we get a #1 overall WR take the top off type of talent in the Air Raid? I want to see our staff get the next Amari Cooper or Megatron type of guy. Heck, I would take a Debo Samual guy. How do we make inroads on the top of the top WRs?

[Ifyouonlyknew]

How do we get a #1 overall WR take the top off type of talent in the Air Raid? I want to see our staff get the next Amari Cooper or Megatron type of guy. Heck, I would take a Debo Samual guy. How do we make inroads on the top of the top WRs?

Actually putting guys in the NFL would help. MSU nor Leach have a history of that.

[KOdawg1]

How do we get a #1 overall WR take the top off type of talent in the Air Raid? I want to see our staff get the next Amari Cooper or Megatron type of guy. Heck, I would take a Debo Samual guy. How do we make inroads on the top of the top WRs?
Yeah we gotta put some guys in the NFL first. No one cares about the air raid if it doesn't get you to the league

[1bigdawg]

Pickering likely returns next year & Jevon Banks are 2 guys who can play just not a lot of P/T available. We’ll still be fine next year. If Pickering decides not to come back then you get a transfer.

Pickering returning would be huge, but we would still lack any experienced depth. Also, is Banks up to carrying the load? He seems small. Finally, experience has shown that transfers typically take half a season to acclimate.

[Dawgology]

Actually putting guys in the NFL would help. MSU nor Leach have a history of that.

Not really. Just a hell of a NIL deal. You pay 5 Star, top rated WR 1 million to come play for your team and he WILL make it to the NFL regardless of where he is playing. With the NIL any team can get just about anyone for the right $$$.

[SilentSteel16]

Not really. Just a hell of a NIL deal. You pay 5 Star, top rated WR 1 million to come play for your team and he WILL make it to the NFL regardless of where he is playing. With the NIL any team can get just about anyone for the right $$$.

Completely true… Anna Nicole Smith was a 5 star TE

[Offshore Dawg]

Completely true… Anna Nicole Smith was a 5 star TE
She may of operated more like a wide receiver!!!!

[FISHDAWG]

She may of operated more like a wide receiver!!!!

or a tight end

[Lord McBuckethead]

That's next door to me - I'll make sure he gets to campus.... Do we ever put a kicker on schollie ? Do other schools put a kicker on scholarship ? Just seems to me that it is such an important position that it would be wise to target and offer the premium kickers .... caveat - I may have this wrong but I just don't know.
Anyway - welcome aboard Carson

Punter from Starkville, who committed to play baseball for State as an 8th grader, is a 5 Star punter rated as a top 10 in the country. Both of his parents work for the university and is going to college there for free anyway. Good grades. Pulliam is his name. We need him in the class, for the star power.

[Lord McBuckethead]

Her NIL deal had a wait period before she could cash it in though.

[ZedFedder]

Caleb Bryant decommitted from Utah.

[Westdawg]

Caleb Bryant decommitted from Utah.


Gotta get that guy in the boat

[HancockCountyDog]

Gotta get that guy in the boat

They are saying Oregon is pushing for him.

They landed a solid RB from my neck of the woods - hope we can get him.

[ZedFedder]

No surprise, but Ayden Williams to OM.

[Goldendawg]

Bellazar got a big bump yesterday. Now the #4 overall juco in the country and the #2 juco WR.

Obviously early but we currently sit at #35 in the team rankings. We've got guys we are still on that can move the needle like Isaac Smith, Santana Fleming, and Caleb Bryant.

Hopefully Parson sets the stage for us to get some others on board.

How is Bellazar ranked #4 in nation, #2 at his position, and #2 in the state and that is a .8578 on 24/7? Are JC guys ranked lower? Thanks.

[KOdawg1]

No surprise, but Ayden Williams to OM.

We're doing well in-state but OM currently has the top 2 recruits in the class. That doesn't need to become a trend.

[Cooterpoot]

We're doing well in-state but OM currently has the top 2 recruits in the class. That doesn't need to become a trend.

I wouldn't necessarily worry about it this year.

[KOdawg1]

I wouldn't necessarily worry about it this year.

I'm not... which is why I said it shouldn't become a trend.

We weren't getting those guys anyway, no matter where they were ranked.

[SmokeyDawg]

How is Bellazar ranked #4 in nation, #2 at his position, and #2 in the state and that is a .8578 on 24/7? Are JC guys ranked lower? Thanks.

He was previously unranked he's now #4 out of 5 ranked jucos. Really not much info to take from it.

[HancockCountyDog]

I wouldn't necessarily worry about it this year.

Thats good to hear, I don't want to get in a pattern where the bears get most of the top 5, but we get the most from 6-15.

[dawgman15]

Ole Miss also has 3 of the top 5 recruits in 2023 committed.

[Cooterpoot]

OM isn't even in the top 50 recruiting rankings. Y'all worried about Williams, who honestly is very average and Perkins, who was purchased and still has to qualify? Come on guys. They own y'all. It's sad.

[Goldendawg]

If it's not top secret info, can someone give an update on our football targets that might become commits in the coming weeks? Genes Page only has 3 players listed as "warm" to us with 2 of the 3 rated higher than our current average player rating. How are we with the 4 star safety from Fulton, looks like a good player. Do we have any chance of a top 25 class? Looking at all the players who Genes Page says are "cool" toward us and the teams ahead of us, it would look like we would even have trouble filling the class, much less moving up. Good info will be appreciated.

[Pancho]

I think the smith kid from fulton's dad played at Ole Miss so I assume we are cold on his list. He is a beast at S though for sure.

[Goldendawg]

I think the smith kid from fulton's dad played at Ole Miss so I assume we are cold on his list. He is a beast at S though for sure.

Actually, he is warm to us on Genespage targets. OM already has a couple of safeties committed so maybe we have a chance.

[Goldendawg]

Actually, he is warm to us on Genespage targets. OM already has a couple of safeties committed so maybe we have a chance.

In fact, he is the only 4 star listed as warm to us on the targets list of about 4 players listed as warm.

[Pancho]

So much for what the guy from Fulton told me.........

[Leroy Jenkins]

So much for what the guy from Fulton told me.........

Someone on staff there told me last year that Smith will be at OM unless he gets a bama offer. Fast forward to two weeks ago he said they really have no idea now because State has made him a huge priority. If signing day were today I would say 60% chance he is in maroon.

[WhiskeyPirate]

Just read an article on kicker we signed Kyle Ferrie out of Harding academy, Arkansas. Article is from scorebooklive. He hit a 65 yarder last year, soccer player. He looks like he is a special talent.

[HancockCountyDog]

Someone on staff there told me last year that Smith will be at OM unless he gets a bama offer. Fast forward to two weeks ago he said they really have no idea now because State has made him a huge priority. If signing day were today I would say 60% chance he is in maroon.

I'm being told the bears have cooled on him, which is great news for us. The kid is a difference maker i'm told.

[Lettuce]

https://twitter.com/vypehouston/status/1563395866991349760?cxt=HHwWgMCq9b-QprIrAAAA

[Lettuce]

Leach Style guy. Another great kid

[Cooterpoot]

I'm being told the bears have cooled on him, which is great news for us. The kid is a difference maker i'm told.

I'll just go ahead and tell everybody, he's their late grab/flip target for this year. They're starting to try to make that move.
I don't know how it will go, but they're back after him. Bama is hanging around too.

[KOdawg1]

I'll just go ahead and tell everybody, he's their late grab/flip target for this year. They're starting to try to make that move.
I don't know how it will go, but they're back after him. Bama is hanging around too.

I concur.

[Goldendawg]

Anyone got any recruiting "facts" they can share right now or even rumors? Genespage only shows 3 of our remaining targets "warm" to us.

[Ifyouonlyknew]

I'll just go ahead and tell everybody, he's their late grab/flip target for this year. They're starting to try to make that move.
I don't know how it will go, but they're back after him. Bama is hanging around too.

I’ll be somewhat surprised if that works

[Cooterpoot]

Anyone got any recruiting "facts" they can share right now or even rumors? Genespage only shows 3 of our remaining targets "warm" to us.

Numbers are getting tight. We're being a little picky with most spots.