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Mississippi State

Mike Leach breaks down the challenge Mississippi State faces in recruiting to narrow the gap in the SEC West

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh10/18/22griffin_mcveigh
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(Davis/Getty Images)

With the states of Alabama and Mississippi bordering one another, you could consider Nick Saban and Mike Leach recruiting rivals. The two are consistently dipping into each other’s states for prospects on the trail. While the Crimson Tide may have better success overall, Leach likes to think they are making progress.

Leach thinks using the resources available to him at Mississippi State and elevating them is the most important thing overall. He did comment on how the game has changed over the past two years admitting “the dust hasn’t settled” just quite yet.

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“The biggest thing is you kind of focus on what you got and what resources you have,” Leach said. “Just try to elevate them as much as you can. I think we’re making progress, I think you try to make it as fast as you can. In the last two years, it’s become more of a volatile recruiting situation and the dust hasn’t settled on it. You try to guide through that.”

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Mississippi State has eight players from the state of Alabama on their roster heading into Saturday’s game. There is even a former Crimson Tide player contributing, with Marcus Banks making a short move from Tuscaloosa to Starkville.

On the flip side, Alabama has three players from the Magnolia State. Two come on the defensive line, with both Byron Young (Laurel) and Jaheim Oatis (Columbia) making contributions for Saban thus far this season.

More on Mike Leach, recruiting in SEC West

As things stand in the SEC West, Mississippi State sits in last place. While they are not bottom of the conference, three teams from the East are behind the Bulldogs. It appears as if Leach is off to a slow start in the 2023 cycle.

Nobody from the state of Alabama has committed to the class either. Thankfully, National Signing Day is still a couple of months away — meaning, there is still time to recover and climb up the standings.

Similar results occurred in 2022, finishing fifth in the division. The transfer portal was a greater resource to Leach and his staff, wanting to add instant talent to the roster.