Jeff Lebby calls recruiting talent in Mississippi 'endless’

Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby is well aware of how important recruiting is in-state. Lebby feels that there is enough talent in Mississippi to build a roster that can compete with anyone.

“Man, I think it’s endless. I really do,” Jeff Lebby told On3’s Andy Staples when asked how much talent there is in Mississippi. “And that’s why it’s so important for me and for us to do an incredible job in this state – to do an unbelievable job inside our footprint.”

Lebby was hired as the head coach at Mississippi State last November after spending two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Oklahoma.

He has plenty of familiarity with the state of Mississippi after serving as the offensive coordinator at Ole Miss in 2020 and 2021.

“Five hours from where I’m sitting right now, we’ve got to dominate this region,” Lebby said. “We’ve got to create incredible relationships and get on guys earlier than other people, because again, we’re going to have access that nobody else has because we’re closer. So that’s a huge deal for us as we build this thing to go sustain.”

It won’t be easy for Jeff Lebby to build up the Mississippi State program.

The Bulldogs went 5-7 (1-7) last year, leading to Zach Arnett being let go and Lebby being hired. Lebby has his work cut out for him as he takes over a Bulldogs program that was tied for 12th in the SEC last season.

The SEC will be even more difficult in 2024 with Texas and Oklahoma joining the league. In order for Mississippi State to turn things around, Lebby believes the Bulldogs have to recruit well in state.

“There are great players in this region, there are great players in this state. And that, to me, is a huge advantage for us as we move forward and build it,” he said.

Mississippi State signed the No. 26 recruiting class in the country for 2024, according to the On3 Industry rankings, which is impressive considering the coaching change.

The Bulldogs have three commitments so far in the class of 2025, including one from four-star quarterback Kamario Taylor.

Having a strong season in 2024 would certainly help Lebby and the Bulldogs in recruiting. The schedule isn’t easy, though. Mississippi State has games at Texas, at Georgia, at Ole Miss and at Tennessee next season.

Making a bowl game would be a win for the Bulldogs in Year 1 and would give Mississippi State some momentum under Lebby.