Recruits react to Mississippi State hiring Jeff Lebby
Mississippi State made the hire of Jeff Lebby as head coach official on Sunday evening. Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Cole Patterson gathers reactions from Bulldogs recruits with the former Oklahoma offensive coordinator taking over in Starkville.
*****
RELATED: Five prospects Lebby should prioritize at Mississippi State | Gorney: Jeff Lebby is the right gamble for Mississippi State
FINAL 2023 TEAM RANKINGS: Comprehensive (overall) ranking | High school/JUCO ranking | Transfer portal ranking
CLASS OF 2024 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2025 RANKINGS: Rivals250 | Team | Position | State
CLASS OF 2026 RANKINGS: Rivals100
TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest news | Transfer portal player ranking | Transfer portal team ranking | Transfer Tracker | Message board
*****
Rivals250 wide receiver JJ Harrell (Mississippi State commit): He’s a phenomenal offensive coach, he gets his receivers the ball and he scores 40 points a game. That all should make any Receiver in the country want to play for him.
*****
Rivals250 wide receiver Braylon Burnside: "Heard he has a great offense, we’ll see."
*****
Rivals250 all-purpose back Daniel HIll: "Very good hire for Mississippi State. Offensive-minded coach at Mississippi State is going to pull (a lot of) guys in."
*****
2025 four-star wide receiver Caleb Cunningham: "I’m glad he’s going to be State's coach because he’s going to change a lot of things around for them. He’s a good coach, smart and know how to call plays. He uses his receivers well he’s going to put the ball in the air and if I do go to State I know I’m going to get the ball."
*****
JUCO linebacker Branden Jennings (Mississippi State commit): I am very excited and can't wait to meet Coach Lebby. I have watched multiple games he's been the coordinator of and I have very high hopes for him and the rest of the staff. I also think the former defensive staff did a great job. I am excited to come in and make a huge impact early and help us stay on track.
*****
Four-star offensive tackle Jimothy Lewis (Mississippi State commit): "I think this will be a great opportunity for MSU."
*****
2026 four-star wide receiver O'Mari Johnson: I feel from watching him at Oklahoma, coach Lebby is a great offensive coach and air raid guy. That's most definitely an offense most Mississippi kids would love to be in."
*****
2025 four-star offensive tackle Mario Nash: "I don’t know a whole lot about him but I’m ready to see what he does with the program and his philosophy of football."
*****
Three-star defensive end Tyler Carter (Mississippi State commit): "I think it will be a good change for the offense and the whole team overall."
*****
Three-star offensive tackle TJ Lockhart (Mississippi State commit): "Think it's going to help out the offense a lot."
*****
Three-star offensive tackle Luke Work (Mississippi State commit): I'm excited for sure! I know he is a great offensive-minded guy. I think the hire couldn't have got any better. I've heard he throws the ball a lot, which I also feel like is good because I think pass pro is a good part of my game. I always say God has a plan and I think this was part of the plan!"
*****