2015 MSU Football Recruiting

Welcome to the family @harrisonmoon1 #DawgFam15 pic.twitter.com/3T254iwOQT

— Dan Mullen™ (@CoachDanMullen) February 4, 2015

The Signal Mountain, Tennessee product becomes the first fax to roll in for the maroon and white this morning. Harrison got some late interest from Penn State, but it wasn't enough in the end to sway him from the maroon and white. Welcome, Harrison!

BREAKING: Four-star DE Prince Tega Wanogho from Edgewood Academy in Ala., will sign with #Auburn on Wednesday. @Allie_Davison @BMattAU

— Andrew Bone (@AndrewJBone) February 3, 2015

Edgewood 4-star DE Prince Tega Wanogho Jr. has quickly become one of the most highly sought after defensive prospects in the country. Despite many thinking he was an Auburn lean, it was still expected that Wanogho would not sign tomorrow and would likely take a few more visits. Mississippi State was reportedly one of those planned visit destinations. That appears to have changed, though. Prince is a high upside guy that dozens of big-name schools were looking to land late in the process. He's a big get for the Tigers

Leo Lewis will be signing at 10:30 a.m. at Brookhaven High School's auditorium per @Coach_Clopton. #MSPreps

— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) February 2, 2015

Lewis will announce his school of choice on Wednesday at 10:30 at his high school auditorium. Of course, MSU and LSU are the finalists, but never, ever, ever count out Ole Miss for some late drama. One way or the other, we'll know Lewis' pick in just under 48 hours.

Got offer bye Florida

— Darryl Williams (@LilDarryl12345) February 2, 2015

The above tweet by Mississippi State offensive lineman commit Darryl Williams was a bit of a surprise earlier this morning. Williams, a 6'4", 303 lb recruit out of Bessemer, Alabama, has been committed to MSU since last October, and seemed to be all but locked in on signing with MSU Wednesday. The offer in all likelihood indicates that Florida expects to miss on other prospects on its OL board, and they are making a late push for Williams. That's not a knock on Williams; however, him not having an offer until this late in the process likely means that the Gators were after others before him. Florida could have a possible in with Williams as former MSU DC Geoff Collins now works for them. He does coach on the other side of the ball from where Williams will play in college, though, so there's no clear indication how much of a factor that will play, if any. Should MSU fans be concerned at this point? We simply don't know enough at this time. The offer may just be a shot in the dark, or there could be some mutual interest. We are currently in a dead period, so Williams won't be able to visit Gainesville before signing day; his communications will have to be strictly non-face to face with the staff. If he pushes his decision past Wednesday, that could be a sign that MSU is in trouble with him. Anything could happen as this is recruiting, and the Bulldogs would certainly hate to lose a valuable OL commit this late in the process.

Lamar Jackson '50-50' between Louisville, Florida (VIP) http://t.co/c9K9HE3MJU via @247Sports

— Mike Hughes (@ITVHughes) February 2, 2015

Mississippi State was always a long-shot for Jackson's services, but they are officially out of the running now. Lamar did visit MSU two weekends ago, but there were never any indications that his interest in State was significant. Barring any big surprises on Wednesday, Mississippi State will sign one QB recruit: Nick Tiano of Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

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— Leo Lewis III (@TheLeoLewis_40) February 1, 2015

Sure, there's some interpretation called for with regards to emojis, but unless I'm missing something, that appears to be Leo Lewis announcing a finalist list of Mississippi State and LSU following his visit to LSU this weekend. In most cases a finalist list this late in the game would mean nothing; however, Lewis just left a visit to Baton Rouge not hours ago, where he also de-committed from Ole Miss on Friday night. His (apparent) announcement is great for MSU because it means they are still in it despite the visit and likely heavy push from LSU this past weekend. Hang on for a wild final few days before National Signing Day, folks.

Breaking: 2015 4 Star LB Leo Lewis (Brookhaven HS, MS) Decommits from #OleMiss @TheLeoLewis_40 @VarsityPreps

— Coach Warren VPreps (@DemetricDWarren) January 31, 2015

While that certainly is good news for Mississippi State fans since the Bulldogs are still pursuing him, it isn't great for us since it happened while Leo is on his official visit at LSU. Best case scenario: Lewis is wide open at this point, which means MSU has as much of a shot as anyone. Worst case scenario: that Lewis commits to LSU while still in Baton Rouge, which is surely a possibility considering he decommitted while in Baton Rouge in the first place. Hang on to your hats, folks. This could get interesting in the final few days.

Headed to StarkVegas Lil RoadTrip

— Jamal Peters 2 (@JamalPeters21) January 31, 2015

There were reports throughout the week that Peters may visit Baton Rouge, but it looks like he is on his way to Starkville instead. Both coaching staff were reportedly told they would get an official this weekend, but that's likely just a mixup or maybe just Peters not wanting to disappoint one coach or another. Nevertheless, he will make his scheduled visit to Starkville and thus likely still sign with the Bulldogs next Wednesday. A visit to LSU would have been scary for State fans, but when you compound that with the fact that it's the final weekend before National Signing Day and that Peters hasn't had a chance to visit MSU yet, then you ratchet up the pressure just a bit. Think Chris Jones' surprise Ole Miss visit two years ago times at least two. No worries now, though, as Jamal is on his way to Starkville and likely to the MSU signing class next week.

I have Decommitted from University of Alabama.

— TD Moton (@__moton) January 22, 2015

The move was an expected one with Moton's recent decision to visit Mississippi State, possibly Texas A&M and TCU, but not Tuscaloosa. Still, it was an important step in the process of State potentially landing the talented former MSU commit. I've already seen a expanse of different reasons for the decision -- some calling it grades concerns, others saying Bama didn't have room for him. No matter what you read about Moton and his decision to decommit, know this: he is a talented prospect, and State or anyone else will be lucky to land him as a part of their class. The next step in his recruitment will be to watch whether or not he visits A&M and TCU in the coming weekends, and how those visits go. Moton seems to really like MSU -- Dan and John Hevesy were by to see him today -- which seems to give us a leg up at this point. But that could certainly change in the final two weeks, so hold on to your hats.

#HailState target Kareem Orr RT @ReemKnows1: pic.twitter.com/FM09UDbklx

— FWtCT Recruiting (@FWtCTrecruiting) January 22, 2015

Kareem Orr, a 3-star CB prospect out of Chattanooga, visited Arizona State this past weekend and immediately named them his leader. He also announced that he'd name a second finalist this week, and would then visit that school this upcoming weekend. The Bulldogs lost out to the national champion Buckeyes for that final spot. That likely leaves State with two cornerbacks in the 2015 class: Maurice Smitherman and Chris Stamps.

Mississippi State LB commit informs InsideTheVille he's visiting Louisville this weekend (VIP) http://t.co/jYSwDKkV9y via @247Sports

— Mike Hughes (@ITVHughes) January 21, 2015

Visits by committed players aren't always a big deal. However, the case of McNair is becoming an interesting one. He visited Kentucky last weekend ($) fairly quietly, and now the Florida prospect is set to visit fellow Kentucky school Louisville. When Geoff Collins left State for Florida, I honestly wondered if McNair would quickly flip to the Gators given their proximity to his hometown (Ocala) and his relationship with Collins. I haven't seen any news of him talking with Collins since he arrived in Gainesville, though, and it's not clear how much if any McNair has been able to talk with new MSU DC Manny Diaz. 247sports still has Darrien visiting Starkville on the 30th, so if he makes that visit I think fans will feel better about his chances of signing with State. If he doesn't, though, then we may see a player who has been committed for over a year signing somewhere else.

Notre Dame CB @ReemKnows1 will announce his 2 finalists Wednesday, choosing from Arizona St., Georgia, Miss St. & Ohio St. #bestofpreps

— Stephen Hargis (@StephenHargis) January 19, 2015

Normally a prospect's announcement of finalists isn't as big of a deal; however, Kareem Orr is a talented 2015 prospect and we're just two weeks from National Signing Day, so his finalist list means a bit more with NSD this close. According to 247sports, Orr will then give his final visit to the team who joins Arizona State on his list of two finalists. Orr visited the Sun Devils this past weekend and has them currently listed as his favorite.

Oklahoma commit Gabe Campbell was contemplating taking an official visit to MSU this weekend. He tells me he has decided not to go

— Riley Blevins (@Riley_Blevins) January 15, 2015

Not a big surprise here as Campbell only recently committed to the Oklahoma Sooners. He is a big miss for the Bulldogs, but Alabama commit TD Moton coming back around could potentially soften the blow of missing on Gabriel. Oklahoma is getting a good one in the Yazoo City native.