The hire of Brian O'Connor has rejuvenated the Mississippi State baseball program, and the Bulldogs have had an outstanding month on the recruiting trail, loading up on many of the best players available in the transfer portal.
The latest commitment comes from right-handed pitcher Davion Hickson from Rice, one of the top pitchers available in the portal. In 70.0 innings of work for the Owls in 2025, Hickson stuck out 93 batters with a 3.82 ERA. His fastball runs in the mid-90s. According to 64Analytics, the commitment of Hickson further solidifies the Diamond Dawgs as having the best transfer class in the nation.
Massive one here for @HailStateBB as they continue to solidify their #1 portal class. Davion is number 21 on The Board. https://t.co/htvmIn8Yiy
— 64Analytics (@64Analytics) June 30, 2025
We will have to watch the MLB Draft with Hickson, as he's eligible and could be an intriguing prospect. But assuming he makes it to Starkville, he'll have a chance to factor into the weekend rotation. He's a big time get.
Davion Hickson joins a loaded transfer portal class for Mississippi State baseball
Landing Davion Hickson is just another step towards Mississippi State fielding one of college baseball's very best rosters in 2026. Along with Hickson, the Diamond Dawgs already have other top-tier transfers committed in pitcher Tomas Valincius, first baseman Vytas Valincius, and outfielders Aiden Teel and James Nunnallee.
But there are even more outstanding pieces beyond the top names. First baseman and outfielder Blake Bevis batted over .300 the last two years with a combined 30 home runs and 107 RBI at Ball State. Seton Hall transfer catcher Kevin Milewski hit .303 with 16 home runs, 58 RBI, and an OPS of 1.027. With the pieces MSU has added for their lineup along with the bats returning from last season, the Bulldogs will be scary at the plate.
On the mound, former South Carolina righties Tyler Pitzer and Brendan Sweeney are viewed as high-potential relievers. Virginia transfer lefty William Kirk was a big-time pitching prospect out of high school that redshirted as a true freshman in 2025. Righty Jackson Logar was a quality starter for James Madison last season.
This is shaping up to be one of the most talented rosters on paper we've seen in Starkville in quite some time. Brian O'Connor came to Mississippi State because he wanted to embrace the expectation of being an annual national title contender at a storied program, and he's building a roster that is capable right away.