2026 offensive lineman Emanuel Tucker recaps enjoyable experience at Bulldog Bash

New Albany High School’s Emanuel Tucker had a memorable camp appearance at Mississippi State earlier this summer. His showing under the watchful eyes of Mississippi State’s staff at camp ended up producing a Bulldog offer for the 2026 offensive lineman prospect.

Last Thursday, Tucker was back in Starkville for a more relaxing visit. Tucker was among several top 2026 targets to attend Bulldog Bash at head coach Jeff Lebby’s house.

“It was good,” recalled Tucker. “It was fun and I enjoyed it. We ate well and not everybody got in the water. But some of us went swimming and some played basketball and played video games.”

Tucker noted of his time around Lebby as well as offensive line coach Cody Kennedy, who he has hit it off well with during his recruiting process.

“We were all hanging with each other and with Coach Lebby and the coaches,” Tucker added. “We talked some and it was good. It was good with Coach Kennedy, too, and it was the same as usual. Coach Kennedy was telling me how good I can be and telling me what to work on and things like that.”

Thus far in his prep career, Tucker has played on both sides of the ball. But at the next level, he expects to remain on the offensive line, which is also where State is recruiting him to play.

“Mississippi State is recruiting me as an offensive lineman,” Tucker remarked. “I like it. Going into college I know I will play on the offensive line. I have played on both sides but offensive line is what I’m going to do in college.”

On the recruiting trail, Tucker got off to a fast start in that area this summer. Along with Mississippi State, he also collected offers from Florida State, Auburn, Ole Miss, Tennessee and Louisville among others. He was also able to visit a few other schools in the past several weeks.

“So far I’ve also been to Florida State, Houston and Ole Miss,” noted the 6-foot-7 and 285-pound Tucker. “I was supposed to go to Georgia but I don’t think I’m going because it is getting close to the start of the season. So I will probably wait before going to Georgia.”

Still waiting to begin his junior season at New Albany High School, Tucker doesn’t plan to rush his recruitment. But he does have a trio of programs standing out the most along with an overall leader at this point.

“I got three schools right now standing out,” Tucker mentioned. “But I like Mississippi State the most of those schools. The other one after that would be Florida State and Houston. But I don’t plan to decide until my senior year gets here and that’s what I’ve decided to do.”

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