I caught up with our friend Hod Rabino at ASUDevils.com, on the Rivals network, for all the intel on Arizona State. Anyone making the trip out to Arizona?

Guys, I had an INsider a few weeks ago, but here's the full, updated story on McDonald. Florida State is still looking like the clear leader here. Enough that I'm putting in a FutureCast to the Noles. But he'll be at State likely for the Florida game and possibly again later in the season. Those visits will be HUGE in keeping the Bulldogs in it and if they can overtake the Noles.

Full audio from Lebby on the teleconference on Wednesday, ahead of Arizona State:

Mississippi State had its weekly player availability on Tuesday. This week, it was Kevin Coleman, Nic Mitchell and Justin Ball:

I mentioned Cameron Sparks a few weeks ago when I talked to him myself for an INsider and story. I put my FutureCast in, now Spiegelman explains his FutureCast for Sparks to State as well:

Our Sam Spiegelman has been following this one closely. State will host the four-star receiver Sept. 21 for the Florida game:

More good moods on Monday, as coach Jeff Lebby talked with members of the media:

Please do not copy/paste or summarize any portion of this post to other Web sites or message boards, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws and could result in the termination of your Rivals.com subscription per our terms of service. Thank you.
Guys, I caught up with Mississippi State's first commitment in the 2025 class for basketball, forward Cameren Paul. He committed on Aug. 21 and seems like a solid get for the Dogs.
Login to view embedded media Paul told me he also considered SMU, Washington, Vanderbilt and Oklahoma. He'd actually set visits with all of them about six weeks ago, but he's now cancelled them all. Paul seems incredibly solid. And the biggest reason is that he hasn't been to Starkville since last October, yet he told me, "I knew about it for months." He told me that while he talked to other coaches, the State coaches were just consistent in reaching out, really getting to know him, offering positive and negative critique and that he's been ready to commit since back in the spring.

Coach Chris Jans played a role, but the main guy here was assistant coach David Anwar. He's the one who Paul really identified with and who was always talking to him. I realy like this quote from Paul, on what it was like talking to Jans and Anwar: "After a game, they’d say, ‘you did good. Do this a little more, that a little more and keep your foot on the gas. You’re the best player out there.’" It just goes to show that relationships still do and always will matter. Yes, NIL is massive and will continue to be, but relationships still matter.

I'm gonna go in-depth on Paul's decision with a full story, but it sounds like he'll be on campus Sept. 14 for the Toledo game. There's a chance it could get pushed back to Florida the following week, but it should be one of those two. Paul just isn't sure if that will be an official or unofficial just yet. He might save the official to help recruiting and it could get to even during the basketball season. But again, I really like this kid. He's long and athletic, has a decent jumper and can get to the basket.

Full story to come.

Guys, my apologies, as I thought Sam posted this on here yesterday, but four-star WR Tristen Keys will be at Mississippi State Sept. 14 for the game against Toledo:

Coach Jeff Lebby spoke after his first win as Bulldogs coach:

Good win to start the Jeff Lebby era. Full highlights included here as well.

BIG loss for the Bulldogs. But I can imagine they'll continue to recruit him. Still hoping to get him to visit this fall. But this is a big loss:
Login to view embedded media

Hey all, I'll be updating this thread over the next few days, but as I get guys confirmed, I'll add them here. Should be a good list for the season-opener, against an opponent like EKU:
Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media Login to view embedded media

The first of what will be a weekly Q&A with the opposing team's beat writer. This one with Lexington Herald-Leader writer Cameron Drummond:

Much more right here:

Release from MSU athletics:

was named to the 7th annual Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Watchlist, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Wednesday.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award has been presented to the College Freshman Player of the Year since 2018 and is named in honor of Shaun Alexander, a former standout at the University of Alabama and the 2005 NFL MVP with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award watch list will incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs and conferences from coast to coast, with 37 candidates recognized.

Williams, who enters his third season in 2024, is a redshirt freshman after earning a medical hardship waiver last season. He has played in six career games, three in 2022 and three in 2023. He has earned eight career tackles and two career tackles for loss.

Just posted on the front page, but wanted to post here as well. Shapen, Traore, Blanton and Washington:

Following up my previous INsider, full story on Fairchild. He'll be at State Saturday for the season-opener:

Full video from State's press conference today with coach Jeff Lebby, ahead of the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky on Saturday:

Please do not copy/paste or summarize any portion of this post to other Web sites or message boards, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws and could result in the termination of your Rivals.com subscription per our terms of service. Thank you.

Guys, I caught up late last night with one of Mississippi State's latest offers in the 2026 class, Lovejoy (Ga.) four-star linebacker Chad Fairchild. He's up to 18 offers and the Bulldogs are his most recent one.
Login to view embedded media First thing, right off the bat, Fairchild will be at State's home opener this weekend against Eastern Kentucky. It'll be his first visit to campus. But he told me he's really excited to see the environment, how the team plays and he wants to talk to some of the players. Defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler has been the primary recruiter here and Fairchild said he's liked their early conversations. "So far, I’ve been getting some good vibes from him," Fairchild said.

Fairchild most recently went to NC State, where he visited for a barbecue at the end of July. Before that, he also went to South Carolina and Auburn. The Gamecocks are the one I'm watching the most here outside of State. In addition to going there in June, Fairchild told me that's one of the places he'll be setting up a visit next. He also wants to see games at Indiana and Duke. But I do think NC State is also up there, not far behind either.

It's early and Fairchild said he hasn't started thinking about cutting his list. BUT, I think it's a great sign that State offers and he almost immediately visits. Great early sign.

Full story coming.

We'll be watching this during the week, but early line on the Bulldogs' opener is that State is a 26.5 point favorite right now. EKU is coming off a 5-6 season and did not make the FCS playoffs. Most impressive was a 28-17 loss at Kentucky in week two last season.

I wanted to get this story up quick, since it's some big news. Following up my INsider yesterday, but full story on Sparks, who will unofficially visit State next weekend and officially visit on Sept. 14:

Hey y'all, the 2026 in-state rankings have been updated. You can check out other states' as well, but wanted to specifically link the Magnolia State:

Please do not copy/paste or summarize any portion of this post to other Web sites or message boards, as it is a direct violation of copyright laws and could result in the termination of your Rivals.com subscription per our terms of service. Thank you.

Hey y'all, I kept seeing some scuttle in places that 2025 four-star receiver Cameron Sparks was leaning to State recently. That included from ON3's Chad Simmons, who I used to work with at Scout and Rivals and who I very much respect. So, I reached out to Sparks myself to get some insight and see if there's anything there.
Login to view embedded media I do think State is now the favorite here for a few reasons. First, Sparks told me he loves that not only does the Bulldogs staff, including coach Jeff Lebby, reach out to him, but they talk to his parents a lot. So, I'm not gonna say they've won over the parents, but it's gone a long way. Second, Sparks said State coaches have explained how he would be used in the offense, in a "unique way." That consists of being a "combo receiver" who can play inside and outside, contrary to other schools recruiting him.

Third, Sparks is set to visit Mississippi State twice over the next month. He has an unofficial visit set for Aug. 31, for the season-opener against Eastern Kentucky. And on Sept. 14, he'll be back for an official visit when the Bulldogs host Toledo. The first will be his first time in Starkville. And then on top of all that, Sparks told me he has a great relationship with assistant coach Chad Bumphis and grad assistant Benton Duby. SOOOO, I'm slightly hesitant to put a FutureCast in for the Bulldogs, because he hasn't visited campus yet. But that's a LOT trending in their direction.

The other school in play here is Florida State. Sparks flat out told me, "those two schools are in the lead right now." He has an official visit set with the Noles for Oct. 5, when they host Clemson. That'll be a HUGE atmosphere. MSU would have been much better off getting Sparks Sept. 21 for the Florida game because of the atmosphere. And that still could happen. But that's another reason I'm somewhat hesitant to FutureCast for the Bulldogs. Still, I feel good enough I'll do that later this morning.

Sparks really didn't talk about anyone else. So, I think unless something changes soon, it'll be between Mississippi State and Florida State. These upcoming visits to Starkville will be huge. I'll keep an eye and ear out and relay any other updates when available.

Full story coming.

Guys, following my previous INsider. I think State is in a great spot here, but it's still early. LSU will definitely get a visit soon, which is worth watching.