Four-star linebacker Leo Lewis, a Brookhaven, Miss., native and the No. 1 inside linebacker prospect in the nation, is heading to Mississippi State.

Lewis chose Mississippi State over LSU, and those were the only two schools with hats on the podium for his announcement from Brookhaven High School. He was previously committed to Ole Miss, but decommitted late last week while on an official visit to LSU.

Signing Lewis is critical for Mississippi State, as the touted inside linebacker will have an opportunity to replace the nation’s No. 1 NFL inside linebacker prospect in Benardrick McKinney, who’s expected to be a high draft pick in the 2015 draft.

Missing on Lewis is also devastating for Ole Miss and LSU. The Tigers lack a standout linebacker in their current recruiting haul, and while Ole Miss has now lost a pair of four-star prospects in Lewis and offensive tackle Drew Richmond. The Rebels also lost starting senior linebackers Serderius Bryant and Deterrian Shackelford at the end of last season.

At 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Lewis will have an opportunity to make an early impact for Mississippi State and new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. The Bulldogs ranked 12th out of 14 SEC teams in total defense in 2014.

Mississippi State is rather thrilled with the signing, sharing this tweet following the announcement.

(Tony Hughes is Mississippi State’s recruiting coordinator.)