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After finishing with a much smaller signing class then the rest of the SEC's class of 2016, Mississippi State is projected to have room for plenty of 2017 signees after fielding such a youthful team this past season. There are plenty of scholarships available, and that is one of many reasons why Coach Mullen already has several commits for the Class of 2017. The objective for 2017 remains clear: WIN BACK THE STATE, as well as continuing to build a productive pipeline with the states of Louisiana and Texas.
Current Verbal Commits
Thompson is a 4-Star QB out of Landry-Walker HS in New Orleans, LA, and was a huge early get for this class. In a state where the in-state school has dominated recruiting recently (LSU) landing one of the top-ten players in the state is huge, let alone him being at a constant position of need for them (QB) Check out his junior highlights below.
Pierce, a three-star JUCO TE who plays for Southwest Mississippi Community College, is the top rated junior college tight end in the country,and the number two JUCO player overall currently according to 247sports and will have every chance possible to come in and make an impact right away.
Champion is yet another top-rated JUCO player, as well as being the number one player at his position. He is a potential impact player at a position in which the Bulldogs have struggled to recruit well over the last several years, and is hopefully a sign of things to come going forward in the class of 2017.
ATH Cameron Myers
Myers is another JUCO player (notice the trend) rated as one of the highest in his position, and top five nationally. Myers has the potential to make an impact on both sides of the ball and will be interesting to see where he ends up come the fall.
Dabney, a three-star CB from Callaway HS in Jackson, MS is a big early get for Coach Mullen and company. Winning back the state is a major priority among other things, and Dabney is someone that I would not be surprised to see go up in the rankings as the summer goes by . He is rated as a top-fifteen player in the state, as well as a top-sixty corner nationally.
Top 20 Remaining Targets for 2017
Gooden is a former commitment from the class of 2016, who was forced late in the class to head to Junior College. He was rated as a four-star coming out of high school, and I would be shocked if lands anywhere but Starkville when all is said and done.
Hill is a four-star running back from Columbus HS in Columbus, MS, and is rated as the number five running back nationally. Hill currently holds other reported offers from Ole Miss, Tennessee, Memphis, and UAB.
Gay is a must have for this class. A four-star outside linebacker from Starkville HS. He is rated as a top-ten OLB nationally, and a top-120 player nationally.
White is a four-star athlete from Ridgeland HS in MS. He currently holds another offer from Ole Miss, and his recruitment is shaping to be another Egg Bowl battle.
Ladd is another in-state ATH who plays for Rosa Fort HS in Tunica, MS and is rated as a three-star. Ladd has no other offers at this time, but has interest from schools such as LSU, Ole Miss, and UCLA.
Gibbs is a three-star WR from Aquinas HS in Augusta, GA. Gibbs has good height at 6-foot-2, and holds another early offer from Cincinnati. Expect his recruitment to increase substantially in the coming weeks/months.
Williams is an up-and-coming WR from Ocean Springs HS in Ocean Springs, MS. Williams holds other offers from Troy and Louisiana Tech . He is on commit watch any time he steps foot on campus.
Ealy is a four-star T from University Lab HS in Baton Rouge, LA. Ealy is thought of as a heavy LSU lean, but if this staff is going to continue building a pipeline in the Bayou, landing players such as Ealy is going to need to happen. Ealy holds other offers from LSU, Florida State, Tennessee, and Texas as well as the Bulldogs.
Todd Harris is another player from Louisiana that needs to take the hop skip and jump to Starkville and play for the Bulldogs. He is rated as a four-star, and a top-five S nationally. Harris holds offers from the majority of the SEC, including Arkansas, LSU, Ole Miss, and Georgia among many others.
Carper is a four-star ATH from Plain Dealing, HS in Plain Dealing, LA and is thought to be a State lean for the time being. Having been offered by Texas A&M yesterday though, that could change rather quickly. His other offers include Tennessee and Georgia.
Stewart is a four-star cornerback from McDonough 35 HS in New Orleans, LA (notice the trend here) He is rated as one of the top-ten prospects in the loaded state of Louisiana, and would be a huge get for Peter Sirmon and this defense.
Mason is a recent offer, and could be added to our verbal commitment list rather quickly. Mason plays for Noxubee County HS (look familiar?) and currently holds another offer from Jackson State, with interest coming from Alabama, LSU, and Missouri among others.
Ignont is a big-time ILB prospect from IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL. He would be a huge pull for this staff out of the Sunshine State, as he is rated as a top-five player nationally at the position and a top-130 player nationally. He is thought of as an Auburn lean, but that can change at any time.
As important as it is for Mississippi State to re-establish itself as an in-state power, it is also crucial to be able to enter talent-rich states and build relationships that will benefit the program going forward. Deaton is a three-star center, and a top-five rated center nationally. He holds other offers from Texas Tech, Houston, and Boise State among others.
This recruiting class is going to be pivotal in determining the ability to sustain the recent successes to the program. Landing the majority of these players would be a huge win on the recruiting trail, and is also something that is far from impossible. Of course, between now and NSD 2017, there will be plenty of new targets, offers, decommitments, and other recruiting news that you can count on FWtCT to keep you updated on!