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Mississippi State National Signing Day Updates

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By stadmin
12 Min Read

It’s time once again to crank up the fax machine and pick from one of those hats on the table, National Signing Day is finally here. Follow along here for constant updates on Mississippi State’s 2020 class as players make their decisions official.

BENJAMIN KEY

Key is a 6’5″ 280 pound defensive lineman out of East Los Angeles College. He’s rated as the #14 defensive end in the JUCO ranks by 247Sports. Key finished his second year at East LA with 37 tackles (23 solos), three sacks, seven tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery returned for a touchdown and two forced fumbles. He is expected to be an immediate contributor to the young Bulldog defensive line in 2020, possibly moving inside to play tackle.

JAVORRIUS SELMON

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Selmon committed to Mississippi State over a year, and completed his senior year at Provine High School with 47 tackles (31 solos), 1.5 tackle for loss, two interceptions, one fumble recovery and seven PBUs, 12 kickoff returns for 283 yards and one touchdown, four punt returns for 61 yards and one catch for 25 yards. Coach Moorhead said of Selmon’s recruitment, it was one of the least dramatic he had ever been associated with, as Selmon knew very early on Starkville was where he wanted to be.

JORDAN DAVIS

Davis is another JUCO defensive lineman that will be expected to bring an immediate impact in 2020. Davis is rated the #4 JUCO player in the country by 247Sports and the #1 defensive end. He finished 2019 with 32 tackles (16 solos), 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles, and chose MSU over offers from Tennessee, Alabama, and Nebraska.

RODNEY GROCE

Groce committed to Mississippi State after a previous pledge to Nebraska. The three star linebacker out of Pleasant Grove, AL finished his senior year with 134 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, nine PBUs, 21 quarterback hurries, four fumbles forced, one interception and one fumble recovery. Groce was rated the #24 inside linebacker in the country by 247Sports.

WILL ROGERS

Rogers had a monster senior season at Brandon High School, racking up 246 of 371 passing for 3,572 yards with 38 touchdowns and three interceptions, 20 rushes for 86 yards, leading the Bulldogs to the second round of the 6A State Playoffs. Rogers was the top rated quarterback in the state of Mississippi, and will be an early enrollee for Mississippi State. He’ll take part in the bowl practices beginning this weekend.

CALVIN MCMILLIAN

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McMillian might be Mississippi State’s biggest signee, literally. Coming in at 6’5″, 305 pounds, the Houston, MS native played both ways for the Hilltoppers, piling up 36 tackles (14 solos), four quarterback hurries, eight tackles for loss, one sack and one interception returned 60 yards for a touchdown on the defensive side of the ball.

GRANT JACKSON

A two way star for the West Lincoln Bears, Jackson stacked up 55 tackles (20 solos), one sack, one quarterback hurry and seven tackles for loss. Jackson was one of only two offensive lineman signed on Wednesday by the Bulldogs, so that appears to be a position Joe Moorhead will continue to pursue into February.

JO’QUAVIOUS MARKS

Marks was the highest rated signee for the 2020 class. A four star running back out of Carver HS in Atlanta, GA, Marks rushed for 1961 yards and 23 touchdowns. A four star top 150 player in the 247Sports rankings, Marks picked MSU over offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Michigan.

JEVON BANKS

Banks was one of the top defensive prospects in the state of Mississippi, leading Olive Branch to a second round appearance in the 6A state playoffs and accumulating 96 tackles (33 solos), 21 tackles for loss, three sacks, one interception, four PBUs, 10 quarterback hurries, one fumble forced and two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown. A three star prospect, Banks pledged to MSU over offers from Nebraska and Tennessee.

BRANDON RUIZ

Ruiz arrives from Arizona State as a grad transfer, immediately eligible with two years remaining. State had a lot of issues on kickoffs a season ago, so this is an immediate impact arrival for the Bulldogs. Ruiz was 14-20 on field goals in 2017 for the Sun Devils, 30-31 on extra points.

MALIK HEATH

Heath’s long winding road to Mississippi State has finally ended, going from the state’s top high school prospect in 2017 to one of the nation’s top junior college receivers in 2019. Heath originally signed with the Bulldogs out of Callaway, and his presence is going to be greatly relied upon by Joe Moorhead next season. No position on the field is in more need of an upgrade than wide receiver, and Heath’s 33 catches for 503 yards and three touchdowns at Co-Lin will be a big addition.

EMMANUEL FORBES

A four star prospect out of Grenada HS, Forbes was the highest rated prospect in the state of Mississippi according to 247Sports. Forbes put up some big numbers as a senior, 49 tackles (23 solos), three tackles for loss, 12 PBUs and eight interceptions, including two returned for a touchdown. Forbes was possibly the most hotly contested prospect between Mississippi State and Ole Miss, but he shut down his recruitment after his December 6th official visit.

TRE LAWSON

Mississippi State needed immediate help on the defensive line, and they hope that Lawson can provide a similar presence as Montez Sweat gave them for two seasons after his time at Co-Lin. Coming in from the national champions at Mississippi Gulf Coast after a transfer from Florida State, Lawson racked up 39 tackles (19 solos), 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, one fumble forced, two fumble recoveries, six quarterback hurries and three PBUs. He’ll be one that Bob Shoop is counting on for 2020.

TYRUS WHEAT

A three star prospect out of Co-Lin Community College and rated the #1 JUCO linebacker in the country, Wheat picked State over Baylor, South Carolina, and Arkansas. Wheat compiled 37 tackles (19 solos), six tackles for loss, three interceptions (two returned for touchdown), one PBU, three fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and returned one blocked field goal for a touchdown. He is another JUCO prospect that Mississippi State will rely on for an instant impact in 2020.

JANARI DEAN

Dean might be the most versatile prospect in the state, leading a resurgent South Panola team back into the playoffs with a dominant season on both sides of the ball. Dean is projected to play at safety when he arrives in Starkville, and could be a true freshman that contributes immediately.

CALEB DUCKING

Ducking comes to Mississippi State hoping to provide a downfield passing threat the Bulldogs have lacked the past few seasons. Playing for a very run-heavy offense at Holmes Community College, Ducking caught nine passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns, and added one rush for 71 yards and one touchdown. State needs Ducking to be a contributor immediately to improve that weak Bulldog passing game.

JADEN WALLEY

Walley will make the move from quarterback to receiver when he arrives in Starkville. Walley showed his versatility at D’Iberville, racking up over 1000 all purpose yards and 10 touchdowns. Walley had a great week at the Mississippi-Alabama All Star game, and could be another true freshman to contribute in 2020.

DILLON JOHNSON

Johnson led Greenville St. Joseph to three straight state championships, rushing for 120 carries for 1,668 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior. With junior All-SEC tailback Kylin Hill off to the NFL, its very likely that Johnson could be a contributor in 2020.

ARMONDOUS COOLEY

Cooley is a player who could very easily see a ratings bump in the next few weeks. One of the top defensive players in the state, he piled up huge numbers at Wayne County, 92 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 18 quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, one blocked field goal and one PBU.

LIDEATRICK GRIFFIN

Griffin was one of the most dynamic playmakers in the state as a senior, racking up 23 catches for 413 yards and three touchdowns and 41 rushes for 438 yards and eight touchdowns. Griffin was a player who dropped off the Bulldogs commit list but came back in June. He’s another player that could contribute immediately, as the Bulldogs need some playmakers to show up on the field at the receiver position in 2020.

DECAMERION RICHARDSON

Mississippi State’s only signee that was not committed prior to Signing Day, Richardson picked the Bulldogs over offers from Tennessee and Houston. Richardson looks to be moving to the defensive side of the ball when he arrives in Starkville.

CAMERON THREATT

Threatt comes to Mississippi State from Lewisburg High School, where he provided 66 tackles (43 solos), four interceptions, two fumble recoveries and six PBUs. Threatt was a three star prospect and a top 25 player in the state.

Copyright 2024 SuperTalk Mississippi Media. All rights reserved.

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