Bates is making decisions

Kaplan (La.) three-star defensive end Jalen Bates has picked up offers from across the country. The Pac-12, the SEC, the Big 12, and the Big 10 are all represented on his offer list.

Friday he made his way to Mississippi State's Big Dawg camp, and he came away impressed with the atmosphere in Starkville. He was at the front of almost every drill and seemed to catch the attention of the Bulldogs staff.

As the summer nears an end he has a few more visits in the plans.

"I'm going to LSU next week and I'm going to Michigan that same weekend," Bates said.

Bates will spend two days in Baton Rouge where he will work at tight end and defensive end, and he admits an LSU offer would something he would have to consider since they are right in his backyard.

While LSU has yet to offer and he has not received much attention from the Tiger coaching staff at this point, he does have a strong group of leaders emerging among his college options.

"Texas Tech, Mississippi State, Arizona State, UL those are a few that are in the lead right now," Bates said.

Out of those programs two schools have jumped to the front.

"Probably Mississippi State and Texas Tech those are the two leaders right now," Bates said.

"Texas Tech was one of the first big schools to offer me and they've been recruiting me the hardest so I've really developed a relationship with them. The coaches are cool and stuff like that. It's almost like a brother-to-brother relationship with the coaches.

"With Mississippi State coach Turner me and him work hand-in-hand. I could see myself getting coached by him for a few years and I really like the way he coaches. That's why Mississippi State is high on my board."

The two programs are tied at the top of his list right now, but he does know when he wants to name his leader and make his commitment.

"September 19," Bates said. It's right before our Friday night game for homecoming at the pep rally."

With his decision coming he already has a few official visits plans in the works.

"Oh yeah, I'm taking an official to Texas Tech on the (August) 30th, "Bates said. "I still haven't planned the others, but hopefully I can get down to Mississippi State again. And it will either be Arizona State or Michigan for my third one maybe. Since I'm making my commitment date so early I'm probably only going to get three in really."

Bates is currently ranked No. 28 among the nation's strongside defensive ends and he is No. 18 in the Rivals.com Louisiana Preseason Top 50.