The 2024 college football season is in the final stretch of regular-season games, which means many players are thinking about where they might play next year and coaching staffs around the country are considering what positions to target for additions via the portal.

The transfer portal window officially opens on Dec. 9. With academic semesters nearing their end, however, student-athletes are starting to announce portal decisions in advance. It appears that certain players are also being illegally recruited ahead of the portal’s opening.

Jeff Lebby said that Mississippi State players have talked of tampering going on.

“Well yeah, it’s going on,” Lebby said on Wednesday’s SEC teleconference. “There’re guys on football team right now that are going through that. Again, until that is managed and policed at the highest level, there’s nothing that’s going to stop people from doing it.”

Lebby is not the first coach to complain of tampering and likely won’t be the last. It’s no secret that enforcement of the portal recruiting rules has been a major issue in the last few years with no sign of getting better.

Mississippi State has struggled mightily in Lebby’s first season, posting a 2-8 overall record and 0-6 mark in SEC play. Tampering staffs may be pitching the opportunity to play for a more competitive program.

[H/T On3]