Mississippi State Football Recruiting:Top Remaining Targets for the Class of 2017

April was a historic month in terms of Mississippi State recruiting, picking up several commits for both the class of 2017 and 2018, and I can safely tell you the weekly updates are making a comeback! Work is entering slow-season, and school is slowing down to the point I can do more then I have since National Signing Day. With the staff approaching 300 offers for the class of 2017 rapidly, it has been an extremely quick turnaround from the class of 2016, and the staff has been GRINDING. I wouldn't be shocked to see a top-fifteen class in the end, if the success on the field can match the success off of it. (These rankings are in alphabetic order, and clicking on the links will take you to their 247Sports profiles, and primary recruiters are per 247Sports)

Jonathan Abram

Abram is a UGA transfer who's recruitment has really taken off in recent weeks, with offers from Alabama, Texas A&M, UGA (the new staff), and Houston just to name a few. Abram still shows flashes of the potential that was clear when he was rated as a top 400 player nationally in the class of 2015 out of East Marion in Columbia, MS.

Jaytlin Askew

Askew is a top-fifty CB recruit from McEachern HS in Douglasville, GA. He is considered a three-star by 247Sports, but on his film I see someone who has the potential to develop into something special both in his upcoming senior year, as well as during his time in college. His other offers include Auburn, Florida State, and Maryland among several others. He is expected to make a decision towards the end of the summer.

CJ Avery

CJ Avery is a 4-star S from Grenada HS in MS.His recruitment has truly felt like a true Egg Bowl battle, between Ole Miss and us, with the two universities making up the entirety of his Crystal Ball selections. Avery has elite prototypical size for an SEC safety at 6-foot-1 and about 196 pounds. Avery also holds an offer from Alabama, but a decision here is expected sooner rather then later.

Elliot Baker

Elliot Baker is a highly coveted JUCO T from the City College of San Francisco, rated by 247Sports as the number 2 overall JUCO prospect for the class of 2017. Baker would easily be the biggest OL recruit Hevesy has been able to land in his time in Starkville. Baker has been quoted saying Kirby Smart and UGA lead for his services, but he has other offers from Alabama, Auburn, and yesterday was offered by Oregon. Baker will have 3 years to play 2, wherever he ends up.

Caleb Chandler

Chandler is another 4-star T, but Chandler is still in HS. Standing at 6'5 and 285 pounds, Chandler has the kind of frame you see in future LT at the next level. His versatility has him rated as a top-twenty-five prospect in the state of Georgia, as well as a member of the Top 247 nationally. Chandler holds offers from Louisville, Virginia Tech, and East Carolina among others. Coach Sirmon is the primary recruiter.

Saahdiq Charles

Charles is an in-state must get for the Bulldogs. Playing both ways currently at Madison-Ridgeland Academy in Madison, Charles is rated as a top 20 G for the class of 2017, and a top-ten recruit in the state of Mississippi. From what my sources have told me, Mississippi State has led in his recruitment for quite some time, but don't count out LSU, who offered last month. I would still be semi-shocked if he didn't choose the Bulldogs when all is said and done. You can find his Hudl page here.

Brian Edwards

Brian Edwards is someone I have been following for quite some time now. At one point, he was extremely close to committing to Syracuse while on a visit there earlier in the year, but held off as more offers began to pile in, including Mississippi State. Once committed to Coach Buckley when he was at Louisville, Brian Edwards already had a relationship with Buckley prior to his offer from the Bulldogs. Also, one of his close friends, current Bulldog commit Tyler Dunning has been on him since he received his offer several days ago. Edwards is planning to visit in June, and he has other offers from Nebraska, LSU, and Miami among others.

Willie Gay

Willie Gay is another in-state recruit that Coach Mullen and company simply CANNOT let leave the Magnolia State. Even more, Gay plays for Starkville HS, which is just minutes away from campus. Besides being so close to campus, Gay is an extremely talented linebacker, who holds offers from Alabama, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M among several others. Gay is rated as a top 10 OLB nationally, and the number three recruit in the state of Mississippi.

Justin Gibbs

Gibbs in an interesting recruit to follow as the 2017 cycle moves forward. Currently, Mississippi State, Illinois, and Cincy are his main offers of note, but the Aquinas HS (GA) 3-star is known to favor UGA, and if they were to offer they would instantly become his leader, according to sources I have spoken with. Gibbs has good size (6'2, 194 pounds) that the staff is looking for, and growing the Peach State pipeline is something that should be a priority going forward.

Kylin Hill

Kylin Hill is another MUST get for this staff. Hill is a top-ten running back nationally, and he would instantly become the "leader" of our class the moment he joined the #StateSquad17. Hill is known to have other interest in Nebraska, Missouri, as well as Ole Miss. Hill is expected to be on campus in the next few days. Hevesy is the primary recruiter here. Hill could be the first of several dominoes to fall, and i expect him to commit in the next several days.

Deion Pope

Pope is another JUCO player who would have the chance to come in right away and make an impact in the trenches. Pope is rated the number one DT at the JUCO level, as well as the number five player nationally, which means Copiah Lincoln Community College will be a team to watch this upcoming year. Coming out of HS, Pope flew under the radar, but now he has other offers from both Auburn and USC. Coach Baker is the primary recruiter here.

Tancey Richardson

Tancey Richardson is a recent offer who has some pretty serious interest in the Bulldogs. The 3-star ATH from South Aiken HS (SC)  shows extreme versatility and the ability to play multiple positions. Richardson decommitted from Southern Miss last month, so it is known that he is willing to both go out of state to play at the next level, as well as his familiarity with the state of Mississippi in general. Look for Richardson's recruitment to pick up in the coming weeks. Coach Baker is the primary recruiter here.

Brad Stewart

Brad Stewart is a 4-star CB from New Orleans who Mississippi State has been on for quite some time now. Stewart is rated the number ten CB nationally, as well as the number five player in the state of Louisiana and a top 150 player nationally. Stewart has taken several unofficial visits over the past several weeks, including Arkansas, UGA, and LSU among others. Stewart's been a priority for this staff since he was first offered, and Stewart has them near the top of his list early on.

As you can see, this class has the potential to be special. If we are able to continue our success on the field we have had in recent years, a top five class in the conference is much more then just a possibility.If Kylin commits in the next few days, this weekend could be another special one for Coach Mullen and the rest of the staff. Next week we will take a look at the recruiting record of John Hevesy, and his recent hits/misses, and if any news breaks over the weekend, you can follow me on twitter @JohnsonERA13 for the latest. #HailState and have a good weekend!