3 things I know, 3 things I think I know

It’s Friday so that means another round of ‘3 Things I Know, 3 Things I Think I Know’.

It’s simply what the title says – ‘3 Things I Know, 3 Things I Think I Know’. Today we look at several 2025 and 2026 targets for Mississippi State football and basketball along with team news:

3 Things I Know

I know that Mississippi State continues to be in a good position with 2025 defensive lineman and On3 composite four-star prospect Kevin Oatis. The Hattiesburg High School standout told me earlier this week that his college decision will likely happen next week, possibly on Thursday and Friday, and that he is talking to his family and coaches about setting that date. Oatis still has State, LSU and Texas A&M among his top favorites with Arkansas also in the mix.

Oatis officially visited Mississippi State and Arkansas this summer and also had an official visit set for Southern Cal that he eventually cancelled. Oatis has built good connections with State’s new defensive staff and already had a good bond with defensive line coach David Turner before head coach Jeff Lebby arrives in Starkville. Mississippi State has one defensive lineman (Christopher Johnson) committed in the class and the Bulldogs want to take two more high school/juco guys in the class.

I know that Mississippi State remains squarely in the mix with 2025 guard and On3 three-star prospect Courtland Muldrew. The Arkansas native will spend his senior season at Oak Hill (Va.) Academy and he took an unofficial visit to Mississippi State earlier this summer. Muldrew is being recruited as a point guard and also as a combo guard by most colleges, and he wants to make his college decision in October.

Muldrew has an official visit set for Mississippi State on the weekend of September 14th and he also has official visits set for Ole Miss and Creighton in the month of September along with an October official visit set for LSU. Muldrew has also mentioned the possibility of taking official visits to Arkansas and Vanderbilt at some point this fall. Arkansas did offer Muldrew this summer but so far, it is hard to tell how hard the Razorbacks are pushing for him.

I know that Mississippi State continues to be the frontrunner for 2026 running back and On3 four-star prospect Damarius Yates. The elusive and speedy athlete has already compiled an impressive offers list on the recruiting trail and the Kemper County High School standout is currently listed as the nation’s No. 31 overall recruit (regardless of position) by On3 in the Class of 2026.

Yates experienced unofficial visits to Mississippi State and Nebraska in late July and has talked of possibly making his college decision before his junior season kicks off. Yates has been impressed with head coach Jeff Lebby’s style of offense and has talked well of his relationships with the staff. Another positive factor for State with Yates is having his teammate Mario Nash already committed in the Class of 2025.

Oct 21, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders offensive lineman Jacoby Jackson (75) sets up against the Brigham Young Cougars in the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

3 Things I Think I Know

I think I know that Mississippi State offensive lineman Jacoby Jackson will be a consistent contributor for the Bulldogs, which is not exactly ground-breaking news. The Bulldog junior started several games at guard for Texas Tech the past two seasons and was one of State’s top transfer signees in the offseason. But it appears Jackson has more versatility to his game than we first thought in the spring.

Along with offensive line coach Cody Kennedy, some of Jackson’s teammates have talked of his ability to play at guard and also at right tackle. So we could very well see Jackson become a swing guy at both guard positions and also at right tackle, if needed. Whether Jackson earns a starting role will be determined later but if he is starting, I don’t think that would be a huge surprise to Bulldog fans or his coaches.

I think I know that Mississippi State has made an early impression on 2025 safety prospect Isaiah Brutus. The Bulldogs extended an offer to the Florida native earlier this week and he also holds several other Power 4 offers. So far, Brutus has not taken an official visit but has mentioned the possibility of taking official visits to Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

Brutus has noted that Ole Miss has showed him a lot of interest so far and he took an unofficial visit to Ole Miss in late July. While he has the Rebels as one of his top favorites, Brutus has also added that he is open to any school and is not rushing his college decision. Overall, Mississippi State still wants to add one or two more defensive backs to the Class of 2025 from the high school ranks and we could see more new offers to 2025 defensive backs in the near future.

And lastly today, I think I know that Auburn is still a major threat to get 2025 linebacker prospect Tyler Lockhart back in their recruiting class. Auburn has pushed hard for the On3 four-star prospect from Winona High School since he visited the Big Cat Weekend in late July. Lockhart initially committed to Auburn in May before backing off that decision a month later. Lockhart also took official visits to State and Auburn in June, and also took unofficial visits to State and Ole Miss last month.

I do believe the longer it goes with Lockhart the better it is for Mississippi State in the big picture. We will see if he enters his senior season uncommitted and if so, that could be good news for the Bulldogs. Lockhart will obviously be back in Starkville multiple times during the season to see his brother – Mississippi State freshman offensive lineman TJ Lockhart – and I expect him to take in other SEC game-day visits, as well.

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