Mississippi State Lands Elite Back: Major Recruiting Win for Bulldogs

Jeff Lebby and Mississippi State have gotten a jump start on the 2026 recruiting class by securing a commitment from one of the country's top running backs.

Sep 7, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Mississippi State has secured a commitment from RB Damarius Yates, a four-star gamebreaker out of Kemper County High School in De Kalb, Miss. Yates, who'll be a member of the 2026 Bulldog recruiting class, is the highest rated recruit so far of the Jeff Lebby era.

| COMMITTED |

Damarius Yates (@damarius_yates) commits to Mississippi State! The @247Sports 4⭐️ out of Kemper County High School (De Kalb, MS) will be a huge addition to the Bulldog backfield! #HailState pic.twitter.com/zx5mA4GnJ2

— NPGPX Design (@NathanPurvis) September 15, 2024

Yates had offers from the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, and Tennessee, but chose instead to stay home and be a Bulldog. He's a 5-9, 180-pound burner with the sudden cuts to make defenders miss in space.

As a sophomore last season, he led Kemper County to the playoffs, rushing for 1,129 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns and catching 13 passes for 365 yards and five more scores. Yates is the type of multidimensional, big-play threat that'll fit in well in Lebby's offensive attack.

‘26 ATH @damarius_yates 5’10 170

Stats- 101 car- 1130 rush yds 19 TDs;
13 catches- 365 rec yds 5 TDs; 3 INTs, 1 Pick 6; 1 PR TD

10.9 100M; State champ 200 M

Explosive!@BallCoachJoeMo @Fertitta_Gabe @MacCorleone74 @CoachWindham @PrestonTiffany_ @CoachDLindsey @leg12tim pic.twitter.com/RwjQNhXR9a

— Darius Wren (@D_Wren5) November 22, 2023

On3 rankings lists Yates as the nation’s No. 3 running back and the state of Mississippi's top prospect. Also on On3, he's ranked as the nation’s No. 31 overall prospect regardless of position. Yates cited his comfort with Lebby and the staff as well as the opportunity he'll have to excel at MSU as reasons for making his decision so early.

The Bulldogs have had a tough start to the 2024 season, losing consecutive games to Arizona State and Toledo. But adding a player the caliber of Yates injects hope for the future into the program.

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