Mississippi State Football Recruiting Tracker

A look at which players have committed to Mississippi State for the 2025 class.

Jeff Lebby / Mississippi State Athletics

Mississippi State is entering a new era under new head coach Jeff Lebby. The former Oklahoma offensive coordinator has been adamant about recruiting partially in the Magnolia State. 

Recruiting is the lifeblood of any college football program, and Lebby understands the importance and already has a nice collection of talent in the class. 

This story will be updated regularly. 

KaMario Taylor

Commitment Date: October 13th, 2023

Position: Quarterback 

 Ht/Wt: 6-4, 205 pounds 

Hometown: Macon, MS. (Noxubee County

High School)

Consensus: 4-star prospect

ON3: 4-star prospect, No. 94 nationally, No. 10 quarterback, No. 5 player in Mississippi 

247Sports: 4-star prospect, No. 221 nationally, No. 16 quarterback, No. 5 player in Mississippi 

Rivals: 4-star prospect, No. 6 quarterback, No. 12 player in Mississippi

 

ESPN: 3-star prospect, No. 7 quarterback, No.14 player in Mississippi 

Taylor is among the best pure athletes to play quarterback in Mississippi in quite a while. He has the frame of a quarterback at 6-4 205 and has the speed to be a dual-threat quarterback. 

He comes from a high school power in the Magnolia State, Noxubee County, which is also the home of MSU's great Jeffrey Simmons. It is always important to get a quarterback in the class quickly, and Lebby got a steal in his own backyard. 

Taylor could be a five-star prospect when it is all said and done. 

Tyshun Willis 

Commitment Date: April 22nd, 2024

Position: Edge/Linebacker 

 Ht/Wt: 6-1, 230 pounds  

Hometown: Camden, MS. (Velma Jackson High School)

Consensus: 4-star prospect

ON3: 4-star prospect, No. 36 EDGE, No. 9 player in Mississippi 

247Sports: 4-star prospect, No. 234 nationally, No. 20 EDGE, No. 7 player in Mississippi 

 

ESPN: 4-star prospect, No. 265 nationally, No. 27 EDGE, No. 11 player in Mississippi 

The Bulldogs have feasted on in-state talent on the defensive side of the ball with names like Emmanuel Forbes, Fletcher Cox, and Chris Jones. Willis could be the next in line for small-town Mississippi kids. 

He helped lead Velma Jackson to a state title appearance in Oxford, and he finished the season with 113 total tackles, 30 tackles for loss, and 20.5 sacks. 

Aj Rice 

Commitment Date: September 4th, 2023

Position: Linebacker

 Ht/Wt: 6-2, 240

Hometown: Madison, AL (Madison Academy)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: 3-star prospect, No. 100 linebacker, No. 36 player in Alabama

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 49 linebacker, No. 25 player in Alabama 

Rivals: 3-star prospect, No. 25 linebacker, No. 31 player in Alabama

 

ESPN: 3-star prospect, No. 25 linebacker, No. 26 player in Alabama

The Bulldogs have had success with linebackers from Alabama. Nathaniel "Bookie Watson is the latest example, and Rice could be the next. 

He was the first commit of the class and continues to add offers, now holding offers from Ole Miss, Baylor, and Arkansas. 

Stephen Miller

Commitment Date: June 15th, 2024

Position: Safety

 Ht/Wt: 6-1.5 180 pounds

Hometown: Greensboro, GA (Greene County)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: 3-star prospect, No. 44 safety, No. 73 player in Georgia

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 36, No. 39 player in Georgia

Rivals: 3-star prospect,

ESPN: 3-star prospect, No. 34 safety, No. 56 player in Georgia

The Bulldogs had a massive recruiting day on June 15th, focusing mainly on the secondary. Mostly out-of-state prospects as MSU defensive back coaches have strong ties in Florida and Georgia.

Miller is a physical safety, with natural ball-hawking qualities, as he made six interceptions last season.  

Report: Mississippi State Football Lands a Pair of Secondary Commits

Sekou Smith Jr.

Commitment Date: June 15th, 2024

Position: ATH

 Ht/Wt: 6-0, 160

Hometown: Miami, Fla. (Miami Central)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: No Ranking

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 86 athlete, No. 114 player in Florida

Rivals: 3-star prospect, No. 56 ATH, No. 99 0 player in Florida

 ESPN: 3-star prospect, No. 58 ATH, No. 98 player in Florida

While listed as an athlete, Smith will likely fall in the secondary once he arrives in Starkville. He holds offers from Miami, Missouri, Louisville, and Arizona.

Mississippi State Adds Another Pair of 2025 Commits

 Josiah Clemons  

Commitment Date: June 15th, 2024

Position: Offensive Line

 Ht/Wt: 6-7

Hometown: Clinton, Miss. (Clinton Christian)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: 3-star prospect, No. 83 offensive tackle, No. 20 player in Mississippi

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 114 offensive tackle, No. 33 player in Mississippi

Rivals: No Ranking

 ESPN: 3-star prospect, No. 105 offensive tackle, No. 18 player in Mississippi

Clemons is likely the most significant project signee so far in the Bulldogs class. However, SEC size cannot be taught, and he has it.

MSU offensive line coach Cody Kennedy has built a reputation during his time at Arkansas for developing players. Clemons has excellent footwork and violent hands.

Mississippi State Adds Another Pair of 2025 Commits

Derrion Horsley

Commitment Date: June 15th, 2024

Position: Cornerback

 Ht/Wt: 6-3, 185

Hometown: Newnan, GA (East Coweta)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: No Ranking

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 78 cornerback, No. 85 player in Georgia

Rivals: No Ranking

 ESPN: No Ranking

Another physical cornerback as that seems to be what this coaching staff wants. Horsley made 38 tackles, broke up 13 passes, and made an interception in 2023.

Report: Mississippi State Football Lands a Pair of Secondary Commits

LaKendrick James

Commitment Date: June 16th, 2024

Position: Linebacker

 Ht/Wt: 6-3, 215

Hometown: Shelby, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln Community College)

Consensus: No Ranking

ON3: No Ranking

247Sports: No Ranking 

Rivals: No Ranking

 ESPN: No Ranking

Recruiting junior college players has lost some luster since the emergence of the transfer portal, but there is still quality talent at that level. James plays like a traditional defensive end but will likely play outside linebacker at MSU.

He had 30 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and nine tackles for loss in 2023.

JUCO Linebacker Commits to Mississippi State

Christopher Johnson  

Commitment Date: June 16th, 2024

Position: EDGE

 Ht/Wt: 6-3, 255

Hometown: Montgomery, Ala. (Robert E. Lee)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: No Ranking

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 123 EDGE, No. 54 player in Alabama 

Rivals: 3-star prospect

 ESPN: No Ranking

Likely another prospect who will need developing, but the frame is there for the Alabama native. Also, MSU defensive line coach David Turner has developed numerous NFL stars.

Johnson holds offers from East Carolina, Troy, and Toldeo.

Mississippi State Adds a Defensive Lineman to its 2025 Class

Lo’Kavion Jackson

Commitment Date: June 18th, 2024

Position: Safety

 Ht/Wt: 6-2 195

Hometown: Lynn Haven, Fla. (A. Crawford Mosley)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: Not Ranked

247Sports: 3-star prospect

Rivals: 3-star prospect

ESPN: Not Ranked

Another Florida defensive back that the MSU coaching staff has emphasized seemingly. Jackson has good size and plays with a physicality that matches that.

He holds offers from Miami, Troy, and West Virginia.

Another 2025 Commit for Mississippi State Football

Kevonte Henry

Commitment Date: June 17th, 2024

Position: Defensive Line

 Ht/Wt: 6-4, 220

Hometown: Lawndale, Cali. (Cerritos College)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: No Ranking

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 2 JUCO prospect, No. 1 California JUCO prospect

Rivals: No Ranking

 ESPN: No Ranking

Henry is a D1 bounce-back; he originally signed with Oklahoma out of high school. The four-star prospect was in Norman with Lebby.

He could help the Bulldogs this season, but he will play another year in junior college. Henry made 43 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks last year.

Former Oklahoma Defensive Lineman Commits to Mississippi State

Kolin Wilson

Commitment Date: June 20th, 2024

Position: Running Back

 Ht/Wt: 5-9, 175

Hometown: Gulf Shores, Ala. (Gulf Shores)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: 3-star prospect, No. 74 Running Back, No. 32 Player in Alabama

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 95 running back, No. 49 player in Alabama  

Rivals: 3-star, No. 45 player in Alabama

 ESPN: 3-star, No. 69 Running Back, No. 35 player in Alabama

Wilson was the first running back in the class. Lebby has put an emphasis on speed in recruiting, and Wilson fits the bill.

He was initially committed to Cincinnati.

2025 Running Back Commits to Mississippi State

Austin Howard

Commitment Date: June 23rd, 2024

Position: Linebacker

 Ht/Wt: 6-3, 225

Hometown: Bartlett, Tenn. (Bartlett High School)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: 3-star prospect, No. 71 linebacker, No. 17 player in Tennessee

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 111 linebacker, No. 26 player in Tennessee

Rivals: 3-star prospect, No. 46 Linebacker, No. 22 player in Tennessee

 ESPN: No Ranking

He initially committed to Vanderbilt, but Howard flipped his commitment to the Bulldogs. The linebacker has the sideline-to-sideline speed to play in the SEC.

He will likely fit in at outside linebacker in Starkville.

Former Vanderbilt Commit Flips to Mississippi State

Mario Nash

Commitment Date: June 23rd, 2024

Position: Offense Line

 Ht/Wt: 6-4 280

Hometown: De Kalb, Miss. (Kemper County)

Consensus: 4-star prospect

ON3: 3-star prospect, No. 29 offensive tackle, No. 10 player in Mississippi

247Sports: 4-star prospect, No. 14 offensive tackle, No. 8 player in Mississippi  

Rivals: 4-star, No. 18 offensive tackle, No. 10 player in Mississippi  

 ESPN: 3-star, No. 18 offensive tackle, No. 13 player in Mississippi

Everyone in the country wanted this Mississippi prospect. He has gained good weight, but the talent was evident last summer.

Nash has good footwork and an impressive frame.

2025 Offensive Lineman Commits to Mississippi State

Ferzell Sheppard

Commitment Date: June 23rd, 2024

Position: ATH

 Ht/Wt: 6-0.5, 170

Hometown: Baton Rogue, La. (Scotlandville Magnet)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: 3-star prospect, No. 64 Athlete, No. 30 player in Louisiana

247Sports: 4-star prospect, No. 18 athlete, No. 6 player in Louisiana

Rivals: 3-star prospect

 ESPN: 4-star, No. 41 Athlete, No. 7 player in Louisiana

Another tall and speedy receiver. Lebby clearly has a specific body type he likes at the receiver position.

It is always a worry with Louisiana prospects with LSU lingering around, but it's a nice pickup.

2025 Wide Receiver Commits to Mississippi State

Geron Johnson

Commitment Date: June 23rd, 2024

Position: Running Back

 Ht/Wt: 6-0, 180

Hometown: Bartlett, Tenn. (Bartlett High School)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: No Ranking

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 55 running back, No. 19 player in Tennessee  

Rivals: 3-star prospect  

 ESPN: No Ranking

The second running back commit of the class and yet another speedster. Lebby is known to split carries among two backs.

He and Wilson both can run, but Johnson is a more polished prospect.

2025 Running Back Commits to Mississippi State

Davian Jackson

Commitment Date: June 22nd, 2024

Position: Wide Reciever

 Ht/Wt: 6-2, 185

Hometown: New Iberia, La. (Westgate)

Consensus: 3-star prospect

ON3: No Ranking

247Sports: 3-star prospect, No. 31 Wide Reciever, No. 22 player in Louisiana

Rivals: 3-star prospect

 ESPN: No Ranking

Jackson was the first receiver to join the 2025 class. He is another long and athletic receiver.

2025 Wide Receiver Commits to Mississippi State