Mississippi State Bulldogs Snag Staley

In a sign of recruiting in 2013, Wheeler High School (Georgia) quarterback Elijah Staley announced through Vine that he had decided to commit to Mississippi State over Miami.

The 6-6, three-star quarterback had committed to Vanderbilt at one time, but he changed his mind when he learned he could not play basketball for the Commodores as well.

Staley told The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger that he hopes to play both football and basketball at Mississippi State, but he knows that he will likely end up focusing on one sport more than the other.

"People tell me I probably have more pro potential in football," he said. "Whichever one that seems like it will make me the higher draft pick, that's probably what I'm going to pick."

Mississippi State basketball coach Rick Ray had recruited Staley, considered a four-star forward by Rivals, since his days as an assistant at Clemson.

Staley, a member of the 2014 recruiting class, will help fill a void left when Manatee High (Florida) quarterback chose to pursue professional baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies organization instead of coming to Starkville.

On the gridiron, Staley threw for over 1600 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Wildcats to their first playoff birth in seven years. On the hardwood, Staley averaged 18 points and ten boards a game.