Mississippi State trending with four-star defensive lineman Kevin Oatis

Programs across the SEC footprint are in pursuit of Hattiesburg (Miss.) four-star defensive lineman Kevin Oatis.

Arkansas, Ole Miss, Florida, LSU, and Florida State are among those schools who are in consistent contact with him, along with the in-state Bulldogs. With a commitment planned for the summer, Oatis is ready to begin taking the next steps in his recruitment.

But as he does so, one team looks to be at the top of the list, according to the On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine (RPM). On Monday, Mississippi State insider Paul Jones placed a pick for the Bulldogs to land Oatis, the hulking 6-foot-1, 285-pound run stuffer.

MSU’s new coaching staff has made him a top priority inside the state this cycle, with multiple coaches visiting him right before the February recruiting dead period.

“It was good and I always have good conversations with Coach Turner,” Oatis told Jones earlier this month. “We always talk about everything and it’s always good talking to him. Coach Lebby and Coach Hutzler talked to me about coming to State and what I can get done there. Coach Hutzler said the best go to State and they think I am a good fit in Starkville.”

Oatis taking his time, considering his options

While the two in-state programs are sure to be big pieces in his final decision, Oatis is seeing what all is out there for him. In the past year, he’s taken several unofficial visits, including a recent trip to Florida, as well as Ole Miss and Mississippi State.

“Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman came before the dead period started and so did Mississippi State and South Alabama. LSU’s new defensive staff has also been in contact, and this spring Oatis expects to be traveling more and noted of his visit plans.

“A couple of weeks ago I went to Florida and I had a great time down there,” Oatis said. “Then I went to Ole Miss after that and it went well, too. Then in the spring I will be taking trips to LSU, Texas, going back to State, Florida and Florida State. I am really want to see all of the schools that have offered and see the schools that are pushing me to their school.”

For the past few months, Oatis has listed Mississippi State, LSU, Texas A&M, Texas, Michigan, Florida and Florida State as his top favorites. That list remains steady these days and Oatis also has a decision timeline in mind.

“I still plan to make my decision in August,” mentioned Oatis. “My coach has pushed me to make my decision in August so that’s when I will make it. That way I can get it out of the way and focus on my senior year.”

The Bulldogs currently have a trio of commits in the 2025 cycle: Macon (Miss.) four-star quarterback Kamario Taylor, Gadsden County (Fla.) defensive lineman Jeramiah McCloud and Madison (Ala.) linebacker AJ Rice.