Mississippi State Lands In-State Under the Radar Pascagoula OL James Jackson

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

The Bulldogs seem to have a renewed sense of purpose on the recruiting trail for the 2017 class after coming up a little shy with the 2016 haul. Mississippi State added their ninth reported verbal commitment on Wednesday with in-state offensive lineman James Jackson.

Jackson was part of a Pascagoula High School team that went 9-4 during the 2015 season. The 6’4”, 330 pound, tackle opened up holes for 1,300-yard rusher Reginald Hunter gaining interests from regional colleges like Louisiana-Lafayette, Memphis, Southern Miss, and Ole Miss. At the time of his commitment, Jackson had another offer from Texas-San Antonio.

Jackson received his offer from MSU on April 2.

How Mississippi State may use Jackson at the collegiate level will be interesting. Jackson doubled as a defensive tackle for the Panthers coming up with 30 tackles and two tackles for a loss in 13 games with a stat line that seems incomplete.

The Bulldogs have nine verbal commitments to their class with all but one, 4-star quarterback Keytaon Thompson (Louisiana), coming from in-state recruits. Six of the nine are from junior college talents.

Mississippi State 2017 Verbal Commitment List (9)

CB Emanuel Dabney, 6-1, 170, Callaway HS, Jackson, MS

DE Emmit Gooden, 6-4, 275, Holmes C.C., Goodman, MS

DT Lee Autry, 6-3, 310, Itawamba C.C., Fulton, MS

OG James Jackson, 6-4, 330, Pascagoula HS, Pascagoula, MS

OT Tommy Champion, 6-5, 320, Copiah-Lincoln C.C., Wesson, MS

TE Ravian Pierce, 6-4, 225, Southwest Mississippi, C.C., Summit, MS

QB Keytaon Thompson, 6-4, 210, Landry-Walker, New Orleans, LA

WR Monterio Hunt, 6-1, 180, Walnut Attendance Center, Walnut, MS

ATH Cameron Myers, 5-11, 170, Mississippi Gulf Coast C.C., Perkinston, MS

 

Photo credit: sunherald.com; No. 68 James Jackson lifts Catreal Davison up after a touchdown.

Photo credit: athlonsports.com; Mississippi State fans cheer on the Bulldogs.