STARKVILLE— The early signing period has arrived for Mississippi State football, and with it should come a full host of players joining the Bulldogs.
Coach Mike Leach and his staff are finishing their second season at Mississippi State, and the team showed improvement from year one to year two. The Bulldogs (7-5) are headed to the Liberty Bowl to face Texas Tech on Dec. 28 (5:45 p.m., ESPN).
Most of Mississippi State's main contributors will return, including quarterback Will Rogers and running backs Jo'quavious Marks and Dillon Johnson. But the players added in the 2022 recruiting class could be part of the groundwork Leach is building in Starkville.
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At times this season, Leach said the depth of Mississippi State wasn't where he wanted it to be. Entering year three, that depth should be improved, giving the Bulldogs a foundation beyond this season.
Here are the players who officially signed with Mississippi State on Wednesday.
Editor's note: This story will be updated as signings become official.
OT Jackson Cannon (6-5, 310)
Ola High School(McDonough, Ga.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 104
What to expect:The opportunities for freshman offensive tackles are ripe, considering Charles Cross and Scott Lashley could both depart. Cannon could factor into that group competing for playing time immediately.
DL Jacarius Clayton (6-6, 275)
Tupelo High School(Tupelo, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 38 defensive lineman
What to expect:Mississippi State flipped Clayton from Ole Miss on Wednesday, a big get for the Bulldogs' defense. Clayton was part of the Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen as a senior and provides valuable depth along the line. He might not feature much as a freshman, but give it time.
CB Audavion Collins (6-0, 165)
Newton High School(Covington, Ga.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 76 cornerback
What to expect:Cornerback Martin Emerson is headed for the 2022 NFL Draft, which leaves a hole in the secondary for Mississippi State. Decamerion Richardson might fill that starting spot, but Collins' addition helps. He may not be an immediate fixture next year, though.
DL Kalvin Dinkins (6-2, 315)
Lake High School(Lake, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 140 defensive lineman
What to expect:Give it a few years, but Dinkins could be a major contributor along the defensive line. Mississippi State has plenty of returners along the defensive front, including a healthy Jordan Davis. But depth is always a plus, so Dinkins could rotate in as a true freshman, too.
WR Marquez Dortch (6-0, 175)
George County (Lucedale, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:4-star, No. 37 wide receiver
What to expect:Of any position at Mississippi State, wide receivers have the best chance at making an immediate impact, given the surplus of targets Leach likes to employ. Dortch is a candidate to see the field early, although Rogers will spread the ball around to the ample returning options.
LB Javae Gilmore (6-4, 200)
Amite High School (Amite, La.)
247Sports Composite: 3-star, No. 40 linebacker
What to expect:Defensive coordinator Zach Arnett says it's harder for a true freshman to see the field on defense than offense. But with Aaron Brule transferring, that could happen, although any role as a freshman would be limited behind Tyrus Wheat, Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson.
WR Jarnorris Hopson (5-11, 175)
Horn Lake High School(Horn Lake, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 111 wide receiver
What to expect:Hopson seeing the field much during his true freshman year would be a surprise, although it's possible. The Horn Lake native was a dual-threat for his high school team, pitching in at quarterback and carrying the ball as well as catching passes.
ATH Dakota Jordan (6-0, 220)
Jackson Academy (Jackson, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 42 athlete
What to expect:Jordan also committed to Mississippi State for baseball, and he might make more of an impact as an outfielder at Dudy Noble Field than an offensive playmakerat Davis Wade Stadium. But he could feature at some point for the football team, considering his skill in both.
QB Braedyn Locke (6-1, 195)
Rockwall High School (Rockwall, Texas)
247SportsComposite:3-star, No. 24 quarterback
What to expect:Rogers broke several school records as a sophom*ore, and he should only improve. That leaves Locke without a clear path to playing time , making him a prime redshirt candidate. There's plenty of competition in the quarterback room, and Locke only adds to it.
OT Jakson LaHue (6-5, 285)
Azie High School(Azie, Texas)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 93 offensive tackle
What to expect:There's a chance one of the incoming freshman offensive tackles sees playing time immediately. Charles Cross and Scott Lashley are expected to depart, and while there are options on the roster already, LaHue has a chance to battle for a big role.
OT Percy Lewis (6-8, 360)
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College(Sallis, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 3 JuCo offensive tackle
What to expect:Lewis can come to Starkville and immediately solve the most glaring need along the offensive line. Tackles Charles Cross and Scott Lashley could both depart, but Lewis is a ready-made replacement with college experience under his belt.
S Wesley Miller (5-10, 184)
Heritage Academy(Columbus, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 56 safety
What to expect:Mississippi State adds another safety, which adds some key depth after losing two to the transfer portal— Londyn Craft and Janari Dean. Fred Peters is expected to graduate and depart, too. The Bulldogs return three starters, but Miller could be in the mix for playing time if needed.
LB Khalid Moore (6-2, 206)
Poplarville High School (Poplarville, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 45 linebacker
What to expect:Matt Brock, Mississippi State's outside linebackers coach, led Moore's recruitment effort. The Bulldogs have experienced options at linebacker, even with Brule's transfer to Michigan State, so Moore likely won't see much time in 2022.
CB DeCarlos Nicholson
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Petal, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 4 JuCo cornerback
What to expect:With Martin Emerson heading for the NFL, Mississippi State needed some immediate help in the secondary. That's what Nicholson provides, who can compete straight away for a starting spot. He flipped from Kentucky to the Bulldogs, giving assistant coach Darcel McBath a major win.
Edge Donterry Russell (6-4, 200)
Provine High School (Jackson, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 32 edge
What to expect:Jordan Davis should return next season, giving Mississippi State's defensive front another experienced pass rusher. There aren't too many players departing, either, leaving a murky path to playing time as a true freshman for Russell, who's joining older brother De'Monte Russell in Starkville.
ATHTrent Singleton (6-0, 190)
Raymond High School(Raymond, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 49 athlete
What to expect:Singleton played both quarterback and defensive back for Raymond High School, although he's more likely to find a place as a defensive back for Mississippi State. There isn't as much depth in the secondary. Singleton's addition helps that area.
LB Avery Sledge (6-3, 210)
Forrest County Agricultural(Brooklyn, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 78 linebacker
What to expect:Sledge is a point away from being a four-star recruit on 247Sports' rankings. He was committed for a long time to Tulane but flipped to Mississippi State on Wednesday. He adds key depth at linebacker, but there's plenty of experience in front of him.
OL Lucas Taylor (6-5, 310)
St. Paul's Episcopal (Mobile, Ala.)
247Sports Composite:3-star, No. 21 inside offensive lineman
What to expect:With left tackle Charles Cross a likely NFL draft selection and center LaQuinston Sharp and right tackle Scott Lashley graduating, there's expected to be turnover on the offensive line. Taylor could find himself in a position battle on the interior.
Edge Trevion Williams (6-4, 254)
Crystal Springs High School(Crystal Springs, Miss.)
247Sports Composite:4-star, No. 32 defensive lineman
What to expect:Williams recently took a visit to Mississippi State, and he recorded five tackles with a sack in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star game last weekend. He's a big-time get for this defensive front and has the chance to see the field in 2022.
