Mississippi State was just dealt a tough blow on the recruiting front as the nation’s No. 1 junior college inside linebacker has announced his decommitment from Mike Leach’s program on the eve of the Early Signing Period.

Navonteque Strong of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College announced his decision to back off his pledge to the Bulldogs on Tuesday. Strong had been committed to Mississippi State dating back to June 8, 2020.

The Forest, Miss., native is rated as a four-star prospect, the No. 20 overall junior college prospect and the No. 1 inside linebacker recruit in the 2021 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports Composite Rankings.

With Strong reopening his recruitment, Arkansas and LSU are two programs to watch when it comes to his next destination, as the Razorbacks and Tigers have each been in pursuit of the elite junior college prospect.

Here is an updated look at Mississippi State’s class following Strong’s announcement.

Mississippi State’s 2021 Recruiting Class

Player
Rank/Position
Stars
State
Sawyer Robertson
#9 pro-style QB
4-star
Texas
Theodore Knox
#41 receiver
4-star
Texas
Malik Nabers
#45 receiver
4-star
Louisiana
John Lewis
#17 outside linebacker
4-star
Mississippi
MJ Daniels
#26 athlete
3-star
Mississippi
Jacobi Moore
#89 receiver
3-star
Mississippi
DeShawn Page
#1 inside linebacker (JUCO)
3-star
Mississippi
Rodarius Thomas
#136 receiver
3-star
Alabama
Daniel Greek
#34 pro-style QB
3-star
Texas
Timar Rogers
#64 outside linebacker
3-star
Florida
Corey Ellington
#103 receiver
3-star
Mississippi
Albert Reese
#102 offensive tackle
3-star
Florida
Nic Mitchell
#74 outside linebacker
3-star
Florida
Gabe Cavazos
#108 offensive tackle
3-star
Mississippi
Tre’von Marshall
#79 weakside DE
3-star
Georgia
Carson Williams
#5 offensive tackle (JUCO)
3-star
Mississippi
Nick Jones
#7 offensive tackle (JUCO)
3-star
Mississippi