9/19/2017 football Edit

Johnson's high on Mississippi State, likely to commit soon

Chad Simmons • Rivals.com

Recruiting Analyst

Chad Simmons is a Recruiting Analyst for Rivals.com. He was the expert on The Next Class on Fox Sports South from 2011-2015. He currently covers Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

THE LATEST: It is Tuesday, well over 48 hours after the game came to an end and many are still buzzing about the play of Mississippi State and their performance against LSU Saturday in Starkville (Miss.). The Bulldogs took care of the Tigers in impressive fashion on their way to a 37-7 victory.

Jeffery Johnson, an in-state target out of Brookhaven (Miss.) was in attendance and he left impressed. The home-state school is in his top three.

IN HIS OWN WORDS: "This was my 5th or 6th time visiting Mississippi State and the coaches were really happy to see me," said Johnson. "Mississippi State is one of those school where you have family and friends to go there and everyone knows you. Every time I go there, it's just always comforting."

THE GAME: "The atmosphere was amazing."

GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION: "Coach Brian Baker and Dan Mullen are the coaches recruiting me. I talk to coach Baker a lot and coach Mullen texts me every other day during the week. I can say they've been doing a great job recruiting me since they offered me."

JOHNSON WILL RETURN: "I am definitely going to take an official visit to Mississippi State. I am working on getting one scheduled for when they play Alabama November 4th. I am also going to be back when they play BYU (October 14th)."

DECISION IS COMING: "I don't really have a time yet, but I am coming to making a decision. I am torn between three schools — Alabama, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

"I'm down to the point where I'm thinking about staying in state. I'm at a place surrounded by family and friends that have came from my school, so I won't be uncomfortable if I do choose to go to Mississippi State."

RIVALS REACTION: It has been Alabama on top, then Mississippi State next, just in front of Ole Miss. After this visit, the Bulldogs have made a big push and it really appears the in-state school has closed that gap between them and the Crimson Tide. When it comes down to the end for Johnson, odds are trending that he decides to stay in state, close to his family. A decision could come at any time.