Top 10 recruits by SEC state: Mississippi
Continuing our daily look at top recruits in each of the 10 SEC states, the next stop is Mississippi. While still one of the primary states for JUCO recruiting, Mississippi is very underrated with high school prospects and continues to grow and improve.
RELATED: Top 10 recruits in Alabama | Arkansas | Florida | Georgia | Kentucky | Louisiana
Based on 247Sports’ 2016 composite rankings by state, here are Mississippi’s 10 best prospects and where they’re headed (comments where necessary):
1. Jeffrey Simmons, DE, 6-4, 260, Macon (four stars, uncommitted): This looks like it’s going to be an in-state battle to the end with the Rebels and Bulldogs jockeying for position. If location matters, Simmons is very close to Starkville.
Riding in Starkville and just passed Davis Wade Stadium. #HailState
— Jeffery Simmons (@GrindSimmons94) December 23, 2015
2. Nigel Knott, CB, 5-11, 175, Madison (four stars, uncommitted): Knott has been around both in-state programs but has also shown a lot of interest in Oregon and Alabama. Knott has family ties at Mississippi and Mississippi State. His father played at Ole Miss and his sister ran track for the Bulldogs.
Honored to be a All American participating in the Under Armour All-America game! @UAFootball @AllAmericaGame pic.twitter.com/URXiuJsrKo
— Nigel Knott (@nigelk09) December 18, 2015
3. A.J. Brown, WR, 6-1, 220, Starkville (four stars, uncommitted)
662✈️…..? pic.twitter.com/FUMqhKtkYk
— AJ Brown (@Brown1arthur) December 22, 2015
4. DeKaylin Metcalf, WR, 6-4, 215, Oxford (four stars, committed to Ole Miss)
5. Benito Jones, DT, 6-2, 265, Waynesboro (four stars, committed to Ole Miss)
6. Raekwon Davis, DT, 6-7, 310, Meridian (four stars, committed to Alabama)
7. Scott Lashley, OT, 6-6, 300, West Point (four stars, uncommitted): Mississippi State remains the favorite for the big offensive lineman, but he is taking an official visit to Oregon, and Alabama is interested.
No other way to end my night!!#bama ❤️ #RTR pic.twitter.com/Gfx9v48niF
— Scott. (@Swagg3rFLOCKa_) December 14, 2015
8. Octavious Cooley, TE, 6-3, 225, Laurel (four stars, committed to Ole Miss)
9. Justin Conner, RB, 5-10, 190, Sardis (four stars, committed to Ole Miss)
10. Kobe Jones, DT, 6-4, 260, Starkville (four stars, uncommitted): Given his close proximity to the school it’s no surprise that Jones has taken numerous unofficial visits to Mississippi State. The Rebels and Alabama are also in the picture, however. All three schools will get official visits in January.