Mississippi State football adds pair of big-time defenders to 2025 recruiting class

Despite the rough start to the 2024 season, Mississippi State football is finding some momentum off the field and on the recruiting trail as they work to fill out their 2025 signing class.

4-star JUCO safety Tony Mitchell commits to Mississippi State football

The good news on the recruiting trail started late Wednesday night for the Bulldogs when 4-star JUCO safety Tony Mitchell announced his commitment to State.

A 4-star prospect out of high school, Mitchell began his college career at Alabama in 2023. After one year in Tuscaloosa, Mitchell transferred to East Mississippi C.C., where he is currently enrolled. 247 Sports rates the 6-2, 205 Mitchell as 90-overall prospect and the 2nd-rated JUCO recruit in the country.

4-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart commits to Mississippi State football

The positive momentum continued Thursday morning when 4-star LB Tyler Lockhart of Winona announced his commitment to Mississippi State.

Tyler Lockhart is MSU's top commitment so far in the 2025 recruiting class. A 92-overall prospect per 247 Sports, he is rated as the 4th-best player in the state of Mississippi and the 17th-best linebacker recruit in the country. Lockhart was previously committed to Auburn.

Lockhart already has close ties to the Bulldog roster. His older brother, T.J., is a freshman offensive lineman for State. Lockhart's high school teammate, fellow LB Fred Clark, is also a freshman in Starkville. With his connections already on the team and the close proximity to home, it's no surprise that Lockhart made his pledge for State.

Mitchell and Lockhart can't get here soon enough for Bulldog defense

To say these are huge commitments for Mississippi State football would be an understatement. The Bulldog defense has been a disaster so far this season. They gave up an abysmal 346 rushing yards in their 30-23 loss at Arizona State. Their performance against Toledo was even more embarrassing. Surrendering 454 yards and 41 points to a MAC school is a clear sign you've got major issues on defense.

And despite plenty of valid questions about State's defensive coaching staff, the biggest problem is a lack of talent. The Bulldogs just don't have SEC-caliber players on that side of the ball currently. Tony Mitchell and Tyler Lockhart are guys who can help change that.

Assuming they sign with the Bulldogs, they'll immediately become two of the most talented players on the roster. They're the type of players who will be able to make instant impacts upon arrival as State looks to make a turnaround in the coming seasons under Jeff Lebby.