Mississippi State football has huge night on the recruiting trail

While we're gearing up for the kickoff of the 2024 college football season, recruiting season is in full swing. Mississippi State football is hosting over a dozen official visitors on campus this weekend, as they make their first major push towards filling out the Class of 2025.

The summer months have traditionally been when MSU has found the most success on the recruiting trail, and there's no change this year. Saturday was biggest recruiting day of the summer so far with five recruits committing to the Bulldogs.

3-Star corner Derrion Horsley commits to MSU

State's first commitment of the night came from 3-star cornerback Derrion Horsley out of Georgia. The 6-2, 185 lb Horsley is rated as an 87 overall prospect by 247 Sports. He is the 78th-ranked CB and the 85th-best player in the state of Georgia. MSU was his first power conference offer.

3-Star safety Stephen Miller commits to MSU

MSU added another DB from the state of Georgia Saturday night with the commitment of 3-star safety Stephen Miller. 247 Sports rates Miller as an 89 overall prospect. He's the 39th-ranked S prospect, the 43rd-best player in Georgia, and the 463rd-ranked player nationally. MSU beat out the likes of LSU, Tennessee, and Arkansas for the 6-2, 185 pounder.

3-star safety Sekou Smith Jr. commits to MSU

State went heavy in the secondary Saturday night. 3-star safety Sekou Smith Jr. was their third DB commitment. The 6-1, 170 lb safety out of Miami is rated as an 86 overall prospect by 247 Sports. He is the 75th-ranked S prospect, the 108th-best player in Florida, and the 878th-ranked player nationally. Smith Jr. held offers from Ole Miss, Miami, and Texas A&M.

3-star lineman Josiah Clemons commits to MSU

State beefed-up their OL Saturday night, and I do mean beefed-up, with the commitment of 3-star Josiah Clemons out of Clinton. Clemons is massive at 6-7, 335 lbs. An 85 overall prospect per 247 Sports, Clemons is rated the 113th-best offensive tackle prospect and the 33rd-best player in Mississippi. State was his first power conference offer.

JUCO linebacker LaKendrick James commits to MSU

MSU closed out their hot night with the commitment of JUCO linebacker LaKendrick James. Last season at Copiah-Lincoln C.C., James racked up 30 tackles, nine of which went for a loss, with 4.5 sacks. The 6-2, 217 lb LB does not yet have a rating, but he did hold an offer from Ole Miss.

Saturday night a good boost for State on the recruiting trail

Jeff Lebby and Co. had gotten off to a fairly slow start to their 2025 class. The Bulldogs had just four commitment going into Saturday. While two of those were 4-stars in QB KaMario Taylor and Edge Tyshun Willis, their class ranked just 71st nationally.

After a successful Saturday night, State is up to 61st in the rankings. That's still far lower than where they'd like to be, but once players like Horsley and Clemons receive national rankings and James gets evaluated, they'll likely move up more.

And the expectation is that more commitments are on the way for State Sunday. They're starting to find some momentum, and with several guys jumping in the boat this weekend, further dominoes will likely fall throughout the summer.