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Mississippi State loses coveted defensive line prospect to SEC rival on Signing Day

This is a killer blow to the 2025 signing class.

ByAndrew Miller|
Nov 9, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler is held back by assistant coach Matt Holecek as yells at officials as on a pass interference call against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Nov 9, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler is held back by assistant coach Matt Holecek as yells at officials as on a pass interference call against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | Saul Young/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

It's National Signing Day, and Mississippi State football is working to rebuild its roster after a disastrous 2024 season. They need an influx of impactful talent to help turn things around, and entering today, there was a solid class in place.

But as is always the case on National Signing Day is the chance for a crushing, last second blow to your signing class. And unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they didn't have to wait long on Wednesday for bad news to come to light.

#1 ranked JUCO prospect Zavion Hardy flips from Mississippi State to South Carolina

East Mississippi CC defensive lineman Zavion Hardy has flipped his commitment away from Mississippi State on National Signing Day. Instead of staying close to Scooba, he'll be closer to his Macon, GA home by signing with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Hardy, a 90-overall 4-star prospect by 247 Sports, the nation's top-ranked JUCO signee in the 2025 class.

Zavion Hardy originally committed to the Bulldogs in October. The 6-6, 280 defensive end had, at the time, picked Mississippi State over Florida and South Carolina. It was a huge win for Jeff Lebby and Coleman Hutzler.

But South Carolina didn't let up on Hardy. The Gamecocks continued pushing him to flip to their class up until the final hour. Those efforts paid off. South Carolina has one of the nation's best defensive lines this season, and will need to replenish that group going into next year. Hardy clearly sees the opportunity available in Columbia.

Losing Zavion Hardy is devastating for the Bulldog's 2025 signing class

This is a crushing loss to the class for Mississippi State. The Bulldog defense was horrific in 2024, especially along the defensive line. It was a necessity that State added immediate impact, SEC-level talent up front in this recruiting cycle.

Hardy was expected to be one of the leaders in making that change. He is the type of prospect who can absolutely be a star right out of the gate, and he was a desperate need for the Bulldogs. Losing out on him hurts State's chances of orchestrating a defensive turnaround in 2025, and it's a huge knock on Jeff Lebby and Coleman Hutzler that they couldn't secure his signing.

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