Mississippi State football recruiting class 2024: Bulldogs' early signees for Jeff Lebby
STARKVILLE — The early signing period opened Wednesday, marking a crucial day for Mississippi State football first-year coach Jeff Lebby in his young tenure.
MSU's signing class enters the day toward the bottom of the SEC. However, with pivotal recruiting battles still to be determined, the Bulldogs have room to rise.
Dating to last year, three coaches have helped mold Mississippi State's class. The late Mike Leach played a part, though he died shortly before last year's early signing period opened. His defensive coordinator, Zach Arnett, was promoted to keep the 2023 class intact while building toward the 2024 class.
However, Arnett was fired last month in the midst of his first season at the helm. Shortly after, Mississippi State hired Lebby, who spent the previous two seasons as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator.
The Bulldogs went 5-7 this season, so there is no bowl game to prepare for. Lebby put the finishing touches on his first on-field staff last week as the focus shifts to the 2024 slate and the roster in place for it.
QB Michael Van Buren
Hometown: Bowie, Md. (St. Frances Academy)
Vitals: 6-1, 180 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars; national ranking: No. 229; position ranking: No. 14
OT Jimothy Lewis
Hometown: Bradenton, Fla. (IMG Academy)
Vitals: 6-6, 275 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars; national ranking: No. 371; position ranking: No. 30
S Cyrus Reyes
Hometown: Katy, Texas (Taylor)
Vitals: 6-1, 190 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 1,799; position ranking: No. 175
WR Mario Craver
Hometown: Birmingham, Ala. (Clay-Chalkville)
Vitals: 5-10, 179 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars; national ranking: No. 377, position ranking: No. 60
DL Terrance Hibbler
Hometown: Lexington, Miss. (Holmes County Central)
Vitals: 6-3, 275 pounds
247Sports Composite: 4 stars; national ranking: No. 330; position ranking: No. 40
RB Johnnie Daniels
Hometown: Crystal Springs, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln Community College)
Vitals: 5-10, 195 pounds
247Spors Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 27; position ranking: No. 1
DL Ashun Shepphard
Hometown: Brandon, Miss. (East Mississippi Community College)
Vitals: 6-3, 260 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 40; position ranking: No. 12
LB Branden Jennings
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla. (Hinds Community College)
Vitals: 6-3, 240 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 25; position ranking: No. 2
RB Xavier Gayten
Hometown: Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven)
Vitals: 6-0, 190 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 609; position ranking: No. 47
CB Elijah Cannon
Hometown: Coconut Creek, Fla. (Coconut Creek)
Vitals: 6-0, 170 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 1,659; position ranking: No. 137
S Jatavious Johnson
Hometown: Hooks, Texas (Hooks)
Vitals: 6-2, 180 pounds
247Sports Composite: Not rated
OT TJ Lockhart
Hometown: Kilmichael, Miss. (Winona)
Vitals: 6-5, 380 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 865; position ranking: No. 61
OT Luke Work
Hometown: Lausanne, Tenn. (Lausanne Collegiate School)
Vitals: 6-6, 295 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 1,274; position ranking: No. 100
S Tyler Woodard
Hometown: Memphis, Tenn. (Freedom Prep Academy)
Vitals: 6-2, 200 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 23; position ranking: No. 3
LB Fred Clark
Hometown: Kilmichael, Miss. (Winona)
Vitals: 6-2, 235 pounds
247Sports Composite: 3 stars; national ranking: No. 797; position ranking: No. 71
DL Kai McClendon
Hometown: Gulfport, Miss. (Gulfport)
Vitals: 6-2, 330 pounds
247Sports Composite: Not rated
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State recruiting class 2024: Early football signees
