It’s time to do it again, as the final pieces of Mississippi State’s 2019 class will fall into place today. I’ll update this page with the names and information as the signings are made official.
NATHAN PICKERING
Kicking off the morning with one of the top recruits from Mississippi joining the D-Block!
Welcome to the family, Nathan Pickering. A 6-4 DT from Mount Olive, Miss.@TheRealNathan22 » https://t.co/cp1NBJWPYV#MoorDawgs19 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/AkYXx5f0bq
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) February 6, 2019
Pickering was MSU’s top rated commit for most of the year until Charles Cross made his strong showing in the all-star showcases. Pickering should be an immediate candidate for playing time as the Bulldogs look to replace Jeff Simmons and three other defensive tackles from their elite 2018 defense.
JAVONTA PAYTON
Ring The Bell!!! 🔔🔔🔔
It’s Official…Let’s All Welcome@JcpSlide to #SipToState19 & the Mississippi State 🐶 Family‼️#HailState 🐶🏈🎓🏆 pic.twitter.com/YnQ1AW5cYf— Coach Joe Moorhead (@BallCoachJoeMo) February 6, 2019
Payton provides MSU with another target for their developing passing game. He picked MSU after decommitting from Ole Miss in October, and also held offers from Tennessee and Kentucky.
BRANDON CUNNINGHAM
An offensive tackle that brings speed and power to the trenches.
Welcome to the family, Brandon Cunningham! A 6-4 OL from St. Martin, Miss.@iambrandonlett » https://t.co/BLHbUxLbwK#MoorDawgs19 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/gwgc9FSP4A
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) February 6, 2019
Cunningham committed to MSU in the summer after backing away from an initial pledge to Miami. Part of a five man group on the offensive line, he will likely move inside to give the Bulldogs a great prospect at guard.
COLLIN DUNCAN
A smart, instinctive athlete that can play on both sides of the ball.
Welcome to the family Collin Duncan! A 6-0 S from Montgomery, Ala.@COLLINDUNCAN05 » https://t.co/ZjGXCiRy7z#MoorDawgs19 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/H65bLi5kEC
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) February 6, 2019
A Signing Day addition to the class, Duncan will likely move to a safety role when he arrives in Starkville. He picked the Bulldogs over offers from Florida, North Carolina, and Kentucky
MARTIN EMERSON
He’s a physical playmaker with quality size and speed.
Welcome to the family Martin Emerson! A 6-1 CB from Pensacola, Fla.@MartyMargg1 » https://t.co/krEZ8MbLHw#MoorDawgs19 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/p5mGqYh3m6
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) February 6, 2019
Emerson looked for weeks like he was headed to Miami, but his relationship with MSU cornerbacks coach Terrell Buckley proved to the deciding factor. The Bulldogs needed DB’s in this class, they hope Emerson, Duncan, and December signee Jarrian Jones can prove to be the secondary of the future.
KAREEM WALKER
One of the top junior college prospects in the country is heading to #StarkVegas!
Welcome to the family Kareem Walker! A 6-0 RB from Irvington, N.J.@_KareemWalker » https://t.co/lwaLtq5IFR #MoorDawgs19 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/6LqquVpHGC
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) February 6, 2019
Out of high school, Walker was a highly rated prospect who signed with the University of Michigan, but left Ann Arbor due to academic issues. MSU hopes he can have the same success as P5 to Juco signees Montez Sweat and Jonathan Abram had before him.
DYLAN LAWRENCE
From ’Sip to State! We’re adding a versatile athlete to the Maroon and White.
Welcome to the family, Dylan Lawrence! A 6-4 CB from George County, Miss.@_dml_4 » https://t.co/TbK6Az0jgp#MoorDawgs19 #HailState🐶 pic.twitter.com/Ca6BcnKdoX
— Mississippi State Football (@HailStateFB) February 6, 2019
MSU’s final signee of the class, Lawrence had to wait to see where the chips fell on some other prospects before getting the Bulldog offer he desperately wanted. Lawrence doesn’t have an elite profile, but he does have size and speed. MSU will hope he is another diamond in the rough they have hit on so many times before.
