National Signing Day 2013: Ashton Shumpert signs with MSU

You can add 4-star Itawamba AHS running back Ashton Shumpert to the list of recruits who have signed on to play at Mississippi State today.

Shumpert, the Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of Mississippi, becomes the 12th Bulldog recruit for the class of 2013 to sign, the school announced today through a statement on coach Dan Mullen's twitter account.

Welcome to the Bulldog family Ashton Shumpert. #HailStateNSD

— Dan Mullen (@CoachDanMullen) February 6, 2013

Shumpert was one of the most heavily sought after players in the state this year, and only recently made his commitment to MSU. Unlike many recruits, Shumpert kept a low profile during the entire recruiting process, taking his visits, but always keeping his decision close to the chest. And once he made his decision in early January, Ashton stuck with that decision, ultimately signing with State today

High School

Itawamba AHS - Fulton, Mississippi

Measureables

Height - 6'2"
Weight - 212 lbs
40 - 4.50

Recruiting Service Rankings

247Sports - 4-star (#4 MS, #15 S), 94 Grade

Scout - 4-star (#20 RB)

Rivals - 3-star (#6 MS, #31 ATH), 5.7 Grade

Highlights

Offers

MSU, Alabama, Georgia, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Georgia Tech (interest), North Carolina (interest)

John Luke's thoughts

Shumpert was the Gatorade player of the year in Mississippi and for good reason. Not only was Shumpert the offensive catalyst for Itawamba Agricultural High School, but the best defensive player as well. Shumpert will likely start out and have a chance to develop as a running back at MSU. He will likely develop into a solid back, as well. However, it is on defense that I see Shumpert fulfilling his potential. He has NFL potential at linebacker and could also be an all-SEC safety.

HailState.com Bio

Widely considered one of the state's top players, could play offense or defense at the collegiate level ... Named the 2012 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Mississippi ... Named the Offensive Player of the Year by the Tupelo Daily Journal ... Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com ... Listed as No. 3 on the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger Most Wanted List ... The No. 20 back in the country by Scout.com ... Rivals.com considers him the No. 30 athlete in the country and fourth best prospect in the state ... Burst onto the scene his senior year at Itawamba following a four week absence due to sickness, helping the Indians to a 12-0 start before losing to eventual 4A state champion Noxubee County ... Rushed 153 times for 1,796, an average of 11.7 yards-per-carry, and 25 touchdowns ... Caught 15 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns while also helping the defensive side with 64 tackles and two interceptions ... Spent his sophomore and junior seasons at Tupelo High School where he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns ... Was named Class 6A first-team all-state following his sophomore year ... Began his high school career with Itawamba AHS ... Was a pre-season member of the Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen ... Chosen to team Mississippi in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic getting the start at running back ... Committed to the Bulldogs in January 2013 over Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt and a host of others.

For more on Mississippi State's National Signing Day, make sure to check out our storystream and our running signees list.

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