Cowbell Corner

Mississippi State's Recruiting Woes: How Poor Classes are Hurting the Team

Mississippi State has struggled in previous years to consistently sign good SEC athletes, and that is a reason for its current struggles.

Jacob Bain

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
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
In this story:

Mississippi State Football Recruiting

Mississippi State football has struggled early this season, and many have been shocked, especially after the Bulldogs were handled 41-17 by Toledo.

This season was expected to be a struggle under first-year head coach Jeff Lebby, but nobody expected the magnitude.

The lifeblood of college football is recruiting, whether it be high school or transfer portal. Mississippi State did an excellent job adding pieces from the portal during the offseason. Still, the Bulldogs' lack of success in previous recruiting cycles with high school prospects is a big reason for their struggles.

The 2021-2023 Mississippi State recruiting class should be the foundation players Lebby inherited in Starkville. The 2021 prospects would be in their fourth season at Mississippi State, but only eight of the 26 enrollees remain on campus.

The rest of the guys transferred to a lower level program with one exception, RaRa Thomas, who was kicked off the team at Georgia this year. Mississippi State signed 20 high school prospects the following year, and only five remain in Starkville.

Zavion Thomas (LSU), DeCarlos Nicholson (USC), Percy Lewis (Auburn), Braedyn Locke (Wisconsin), and Audavion Collins (Penn State) all transferred to a power conference. Collins, Locke, and Thomas play a bit, but none have a significant role.

Finally, Mississippi State's 2023 class signed 27 prospects, and only 12 remain. Except for a few exceptions, most of the guys who left the program are at a group of five school or not playing anymore.

The inability to consistently sign good SEC prospects has left Lebby in a tough spot. Lebby is relying heavily on transfers, which is fine, but you must have a stable core of high school players to go along with it.

There are a few exceptions, but Mississippi State's past recruiting failures have left this team with little to no depth.

Read Mississippi State Bulldogs on SI

Mississippi State Football Must Embrace the Future as Season Progresses

Top Billy Napier Replacements: Florida vs. Mississippi State in 2025

Can Mississippi State Still Make a Bowl Game After Toledo Upset?

Published
Jacob Bain
JACOB BAIN

Jacob Bain first joined Cowbell Corner as an intern, and was promoted to lead day-to-day coverage in Starkville of Mississippi State sports in 2023. His primary beats include football, baseball and basketball. He's originally from Fulton, Miss.

Home/Football