Mississippi State Football Recruiting Tracker

A look at who is committed to the Mississippi State Bulldogs for the signing classes of 2024 and 2025.

Let's face it, Jeff Lebby is in a tough spot. The new Mississippi State football coach was hired in late November, with less than a month before the early signing period opens in recruiting. 

Since then he's had to hire a coaching and support staff, the established starting quarterback left via the transfer portal, and there's been a bunch of decommitments. 

All that's normal for a new head coach, but that doesn't it any any easier — especially when the current landscape of college football is synonymous with roster turnover, and fewer players are spending their entire collegiate careers on one team.  

Lebby hasn't talked too much about what he's looking for with this initial recruiting class, but he did mention what he's looking for at the quarterback position during a recent appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning.

"The biggest thing you want is an experience in production," Lebby said. "I was looking this morning and there's a couple of guys out there that have that. I want to be able to do what we've done from a 50-50 standpoint—being incredibly balanced, able to throw it all over the field and run the football. The QB being involved enough to keep people honest, keeping plays alive and being able to extend them is important to me. Those qualities are ones that I'm looking for."

Over the weekend, Mississippi State landed three commitments including Michael Van Buren, a consensus 3-star prospect out of St. Frances Academy in Baltimore, Md., plus two wide receivers. At one point, Van Buren was down to Maryland, Oregon and Penn State as finalists, but missed some time as a senior due to injury.

Meanwhile, here's how the Bulldogs' recruiting Class of 2024 is measuring up. 

Team rankings (through Dec. 10):

• 247Sports: No. 34
• EPSN No. 31 
• On3: No. 26
• Rivals: No. 27

Mississippi State Commitments

The players who have said yes to the Bulldogs for the recruiting Class of 2024, in alphabetical order:

Braylon "Stonka" Burnside

Commitment date: Jan. 3, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023 (kept decision secret until Under Armour All-American Game on Jan. 3)

Position: Wide receiver
Ht/Wt: 6-0.5/195
Hometown: Starkville, Miss. (Starkville)

Rankings

Consensus: 4-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 15 position, 10 state
ESPN: 165 nationally, 9 position, 5 state
On3: NR nationally, 59 position, 10 state
Rivals: 202 nationally, 35 position, 5 state

Elijah Cannon

Commitment date: Dec 20, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Cornerback
Ht/Wt: 6-1/170
Hometown: Pompano Beach, Fla. (Coconut Creek)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 141 position, 204 state
ESPN: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
On3: NR nationally, 198 position, 199 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Fred Clark

Commitment date: June 5, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Linebacker
Ht/Wt: 6-2/230
Hometown: Winona, Miss. (Winona)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 122 position, 35 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 25 position, 18 state
On3: NR nationally, 83 position, 31 state
Rivals: NR nationally, 34 position, 27 state

Mario Craver

Commitment date: Dec. 10, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Wide receiver
Ht/Wt: 5-11/165
Hometown: Pinson, Ala. (Clay-Chalkville)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports:  NR nationally, 42 position, 16 state
ESPN: 274 nationally, 20 position, 15 state
On3: NR nationally, 92 position, 28 state
Rivals: NR nationally, 72 position, 38 state

Johnnie Daniels

Commitment date: Nov. 29, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Running back 
Ht/Wt: 5-10/200
Hometown: Crystal Springs, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln, C.C.)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect (JUCO)
247Sports: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
ESPN: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
On3: 21 nationally, 1 position, 7 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Xavier Gayten

Commitment date: June 7, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Running back/Athlete
Ht/Wt: 6-0/190
Hometown: Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 36 position, 16 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 55 position, 19 state
On3: NR nationally, 11 position, 9 state
Rivals: NR nationally, 36 position, 22 state

J.J. Harrell

Commitment date: June 20, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Wide receiver
Ht/Wt: 6-0/187 
Hometown: North Panola, Miss. (Sardis)

Rankings

Consensus: 4-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 41 position, 8 state
ESPN: 284 nationally, 23 position, 12 state
On3: 244 nationally, 41 position, 3 state
Rivals: 84 nationally, 17 position, 3 state

Terrance Hibbler 

Commitment date: June 1, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Defensive lineman
Ht/Wt: 6-2/285
Hometown: Lexington, Miss. (Holmes County Central)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 86 position, 22 state
ESPN: 282 nationally, 17 position, 11 state
On3: NR nationally, 64 position, 19 state
Rivals: NR nationally, 17 position, 11 state

Branden Jennings

Commitment date: Oct. 26, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Linebacker
Ht/Wt: 6-3/225
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla., (Hinds C.C.)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect (JUCO)
247Sports: 18 nationally, 2 position, 9 state
ESPN: NR
On3: 40 Juco nationally, 2 position, 12 state
Rivals: NR

Ricky Johnson

Commitment date: Dec. 20, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Wide receiver
Ht/Wt: 6-1/175
Hometown: Warner Robins, Ga. (Houston County)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 133 position, 108 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 95 position, 95 state
On3: NR nationally, 179 position, 145 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Jimothy Lewis

Commitment date: June 24, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Offensive tackle 
Ht/Wt: 6-6/275
Hometown: Brandenton, Fla. (IMG Academy)

Rankings

Consensus: 4-star prospect
247Sports: Not in 247 nationally, 26 position, 34 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 29 position, 40 state
On3: 397 nationally, 34 position, 12 state
Rivals: NR nationally, 40 position, 60 state

TJ Lockhart 

Commitment date: March 12, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Interior offensive lineman
Ht/Wt: 6-6/365
Hometown: Winona, Miss. (Winona)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 69 position, 24 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 71 position, 17 state
On3: NR nationally, 101 position, 30 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Sanfrisco Magee

Commitment date: Dec. 10, 2023
Signed letter of intent date:

Position: Wide receiver
Ht/Wt: 6-2.5/198
Hometown: McComb, Miss. (McComb)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 109 position, 23 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 107 position, 25 state
On3: NR nationally, 113 position, 27 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, 30 state

Matt Mayfield

Commitment date: April 17, 2023
Signed letter of intent date:

Position: Wide receiver
Ht/Wt: 6-2/185
Hometown: Arnaudville, La. (Beau Chene)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 137 position, 38 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 133 position, 35 state
On3: NR nationally, 87 position, 14 state
Rivals: NR nationally, 95 position, 20 state

Kai McClendon

Commitment date: Dec. 17, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Defensive lineman
Ht/Wt: 6-3/290
Hometown: Gulfport, Miss. (Gulfport)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 150 position, 33 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 72 position, 28 state
On3: NR nationally, 79 position, 28 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Cyrus Reyes

Commitment date: Dec. 19, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Safety
Ht/Wt: 6-1/190
Hometown: Katy, Texas (Taylor)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 203 position, 302 state
ESPN: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
On3: NR nationally, 199 position, 287 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Marcus Ross

Commitment date: Dec. 18, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Linebacker
Ht/Wt: 6-3/215
Hometown:Bassfield, Miss. (East Mississippi C.C.)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect (JUCO)
247Sports: 57 nationally, 5 position, 18 state
ESPN: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
On3: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Ashun Shepphard

Commitment date: Oct 19, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Defensive lineman
Ht/Wt: 6-3/285
Hometown:Brandon, Miss. (East Mississippi C.C.)

Rankings

Consensus:  3-star prospect (JUCO)
247Sports: 25 nationally, 9 position, 10 state
ESPN: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
On3: 43 nationally, 8 position, 13 state
Rivals: 33 nationally, NR position, NR state

Karsten Upchurch

Commitment date: Dec. 17, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Offensive tackle
Ht/Wt: 6-6/295
Hometown: Starkville, Miss. (East Mississippi C.C.)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect (JUCO)
247Sports: 97 nationally, 11 position, 32 state
ESPN: 45 nationally, 1 position, NR state
On3: 63 nationally, 10 position, 22 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, NR state

Michael Van Buren 

Commitment date: Dec. 10, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Quarterback
Ht/Wt: 5-11.5/185
Hometown: Baltimore, Md. (St. Francis Academy) 

Rankings

Consensus: 4-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 25 position, 11 state
ESPN: 57 nationally, 4 position, 1 state
On3: NR nationally, 48 position, 14 state
Rivals: 209 nationally, 14 position, 7 state

JaCorey Whitted

Commitment date: Sept. 10, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Tight end
Ht/Wt: 6-5.5/253
Hometown: McCalla, Ala. (McAdory)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 32 position, 23 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 25 position, 24 state
On3: NR nationally, 32 position, 23 state
Rivals: NR nationally, 32 position, 31 state

Tyler Woodard

Commitment date: July 10, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Safety
Ht/Wt: 6-2/200
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. (East Mississippi C.C.)

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect (JUCO)
247Sports: 11 nationally, 2 position, 5 state
ESPN: NR nationally, NR position, NR state
On3: 17 Juco nationally, 2 position, 5 state
Rivals: 21 Juco nationally, NR position, NR state

Luke Work

Commitment date: June 2, 2023
Signed letter of intent date: Dec. 20, 2023

Position: Offensive tackle
Ht/Wt: 6-6/285
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. (Lausanne Collegiate School) 

Rankings

Consensus: 3-star prospect
247Sports: NR nationally, 124 position, 52 state
ESPN: NR nationally, 104 position, 34 state
On3: NR nationally, 125 position, 45 state
Rivals: NR nationally, NR position, 34 state

Wide receiver J.J. Harrell

Decommitments 

Name, Position, Hometown, Decommitment Date Tyler Carter, Edge, Vicksburg, Miss., Dec. 10

PJ Wooland, Ath., Hattiesburg, Miss., Oct. 15

Josh Flowers, QB, Mobile, Ala., Dec. 5

Jay Lindsey, TE, Butler, Ala., Aug. 26

Kison Shepard, OT, Germantown, Tenn., Dec. 3

Caleb Dozier, TE, Headland, Ala., Dec. 1 

Class of 2025

1. AJ Rice, LB, Madison, Ala. (Madison Academy)
2. KaMario Taylor, Athlete, Macon, Ga. (Noxubee County) 

Signing Class of 2023 

1. Jaylen Aborom, S, Hattiesburg, Miss.
2. Zay Alexander, OT, Tupelo, Miss.
3. Nick Barr-Mira, K, Palos Verdes, Calif.
4. Leon Bell, OT, Alvin, Texas
5. Jacoby Bellazar, WR, Baton Rouge, La.
6. Justin Brown, WR, Murfreesboro, Tenn. 
7. Caleb Bryant, DT, Vicksburg, Miss.
8. Keelan Crimmins, P, Melbourne, Australia
9. Jonathan Davis, DL, Monticello, MS
10. Seth Davis, RB, Katy, Texas
11. Malik Ellis, OT, Laurel, Miss.
12. Luke Evans, CB, Coral Springs, Fla. 
13. Joseph Head Jr., DE, Lexington, Moss.
14. Tabias Hinton, LB, Hattiesburg, Miss.
15. Jayden Hobson, OT, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
16. Will Jamesm DB, Grand Bay, Ala.
17. Kelley Jones, CB, Clarksdale, Miss.
18. Ray’Darious Jones, CB, Horn Lake, Miss.
19. Ty Jones, LB, Bay Springs, Miss.
20. Gabe Moore, DT, Louisville, Miss.
21. Jeffery Pittman, RB, Taylorsville, Miss.
22. Nakai Poole, WR, Norcross, Ga.
23. Amari Smith, IOL, Brookhaven, Miss.
24. Isaac Smith, S, Fulton, Miss.
25. Eric Taylor, DT, Trussville, Ala.
26. Zakari Tillman, LB, Florence, Miss
27. Creed Whittemore, WR, Gainesville, Fla. 

The Mississippi State football recruiting tracker will be regularly updated as the Class of 2024 forms en route to National Signing Day. 

Coming and Going: Mississippi State 2024 Offseason Roster Tracker