Lebby adds 30 Bulldogs to roster on signing day
Jeff Lebby's first signee as head coach of Mississippi State on Wednesday came from offensive lineman Ethan Miner at 6:30 a.m.
That began a list of six transfers to join the Bulldogs in quick order.
At the end of the process, there were 30 new MSU players added to the program and Lebby was pleased with the results of the early signing day.
“A ton of energy,” Lebby said. “There have been a lot of people that put in a lot of work over the last three weeks to get to this point. I'm thankful for everyone that has been involved. We are excited about where we are and excited about where we are going.”
Miner was the first of six offensive linemen to become Bulldogs on Wednesday. Makylan Pounders, Jimothy Lewis Jr., TJ Lockett, Luke Work and Marlon Martinez were also MSU gains up front.
Lebby felt like the Bulldogs definitely addressed a need on the offensive line.
“I'm proud of our staff to be able to have the day we've had today with our big guys,” Lebby said. “I love the guys we got today. All six guys have been serious about coming to State. That part fires me up as well. I feel like we are in a good spot.”
Along with the offensive line, MSU picked up three tight ends, three wide receivers, two running backs, two quarterbacks, five defensive linemen, five defensive backs and three linebackers.
The Bulldogs got Baylor transfer Blake Shapen and Baltimore native Michael Van Buren as signal callers.
Shapen was All-Big 12 with the Bears and already has passed for 5,500 career yards.
“With Blake coming in, he's a guy who has played a bunch of ball and has had production,” Lebby said. “I've seen it up close and in person a couple of different times so I'm excited about
him. That's our kind of guy. I think he will be exactly what we want him to be. He's a guy that's ate up with it and loves it. That's going to be fun for us.
“Adding Mike was huge and a difference maker in the 2024 class. He's a guy who is going to come down here and expect big things from him and a guy who will at some point has a chance to be the face of our program.”
One of the surprises of the class for MSU was defensive back Elijah Cannon, who had originally committed to Florida Atlantic.
The Bulldogs were also able to secure defensive linemen Ashun Shepphard, defensive back Tyler Woodard and linebacker Marcus Ross from East Mississippi Community College, which just competed in the NJCAA Division I Championship Game.