Mississippi State picked up a welcome boost on the 2027 recruiting trail Monday when Jackson, Mississippi, product Li’Marcus Jones flipped his commitment from Colorado to the Bulldogs.
Jones made the move after a weekend visit to Starkville, and he explained the decision this way: “After a lot of prayer, conversations with my family, and careful consideration, I have decided to go back home.”
Mississippi State kept pressing throughout the process, and that persistence paid off once Jones got back on campus. The Brentwood Academy prospect has spent his high school career working on both sides of the ball, but his future looks tied to the offensive line, where his athleticism fits best at tackle.
At right tackle, Jones plays with an edge. He comes out of his stance quickly, covers ground well, and can drive defenders backward. In pass protection, he shows the kind of feet that let him stay with rushers, and that part of his game is still sharpening.
The commitment also gives the Bulldogs a noticeable bump in the recruiting rankings. Depending on the service, Mississippi State’s 2027 class now sits 44th nationally and 15th in the conference, with room to climb a bit more.
Jones wasn’t the only recruiting target to hear from Mississippi State over the weekend. Little Rock Parkview sophomore running back Sadiq Goji picked up a scholarship offer from the Bulldogs after already landing offers from Ole Miss, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Arkansas.
Arkansas prospect Maurice Phillips also added Mississippi State to his list. The Sylvan Hills junior tight end stands 6’6” and 215 pounds, has the frame to carry more weight, and brings the kind of size that makes him a problem for defensive backs. He can line up at wide receiver or tight end, and he profiles as a dependable red-zone target with next-level upside.
Mississippi State’s staff has been active across the senior, junior, and sophomore classes, and the hope is that work on the trail can help set up a stronger 2027 haul. That, along with some help in the transfer portal, could matter as the Bulldogs try to move past what has become a rough 2026 football season.
In Other News...
Jeff Lebby Points To Why Mississippi State's Offense Keeps Stalling
Jeff Lebby spent the aftermath of Mississippi States 25-23 loss to Vanderbilt pointing to a familiar problem for the Bulldogs: an offense that keeps getting stuck on the kinds of plays it should be able to finish. After a strong start to the season, the scoring has dropped off over the last four games, and the coach said the bigger issue has been the inability to turn routine snaps into sustained drives. Injuries have also thinned out the lineup, making it harder for the Bulldogs to find any rhythm.
Lebbys focus was on early-down execution, the sort of detail that can decide whether a series stays on schedule or turns into another punt. Mississippi State has had to navigate the absence of key players while trying to keep the offense moving, and the recent slide has made every missed chance feel more costly. For a team still looking for answers, the challenge now is less about inventing something new than getting back to the basics that made the offense work in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Mississippi State Is Still Fighting To Keep Kamario Taylor
Kamario Taylors season is already over after foot surgery, but Mississippi State is still working to make sure his time in Starkville is not. Jeff Lebby confirmed the program has been in ongoing discussions to keep the quarterback around for next season, and Taylor has stayed involved with the team while he works through his recovery.
The situation leaves the Bulldogs in a familiar modern college football spot, trying to hold onto a young quarterback whose next move matters more for the programs future than the present. Taylor is not eligible for the NFL draft until 2028, which means his choices are limited to staying at Mississippi State or entering the transfer portal, and the next step will say plenty about how the Bulldogs view his place in their plans. [Read more 🡒]
Mississippi States Final SEC Home Game Carries More Pressure Than Ever
Mississippi States final SEC home game of the season arrives with more weight than the calendar alone would suggest. Auburn comes to Davis Wade Stadium on Nov. 14 for an 11 a.m. kickoff, and the Bulldogs are trying to steady themselves after a five-game losing streak that has defined the stretch since quarterback Kamario Taylor went down with an injury that ended his season.
There is still a chance for fans to get in the building, with tickets and parking passes available for purchase. For a team looking to finish its home SEC slate on a better note, the atmosphere in Starkville could matter as much as the matchup itself, especially with the Bulldogs still searching for a way to halt the slide. [Read more 🡒]