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Mississippi State

2026 offensive lineman Camron Thompson details Mississippi State decision

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones07/27/25PaulJonesOn3
camron thompson
Photo by RIvals.com

The past few weeks on the recruiting trail have proven to be eventful for Jenkins (Ga.) High School’s Camron Thompson. On Sunday afternoon, the 2026 offensive lineman and Rivals three-star prospect capped off those recent events by joining Mississippi State’s recruiting class.

Last month Thompson took in his first-ever visit to Mississippi State and had a solid camp showing under the watchful attention of offensive line coach Phil Loadholt. A few days later, Thompson collected his Mississippi State offer, which led to Sunday’s announcement.

“It was just Coach Loadholt,” remarked Thompson. “He’s just a great offensive line coach. He’s been hard on me the last couple of months. He made me feel loved when I visited Mississippi State for camp.”

Thompson also holds other SEC offers from Ole Miss, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Auburn and Vanderbilt along with other Power 4 offers from West Virginia, Georgia Tech, Louisville, N.C. State and UCF. But in the end, Thompson wanted to be coached by Loadholt at the next level and got to experience his coaching at camp last month.

“Coach Loadholt is real with it,” Thompson added. “He isn’t going to sugar coat anything. He is going to make sure you get it right and I know he will push me to greatness.”

Last season at Jenkins High School, Thompson mostly lined up at offensive guard. But this season and at Mississippi State, Thompson expects to make the move to center.

“Coach Loadholt likes me the best at center,” the 6-foot-3 and 300-pound Thompson mentioned. “I haven’t played it much in high school outside of a couple of games. I have mostly been at left guard or right guard. But I don’t think it will be that difficult to transition to center. I know it will take hard work and I am ready for that.”

Thompson has also put in hard work in the class room to make sure he gets his Bulldog career started sooner than later. That includes graduating from Jenkins High School this December.

“With me graduating early, I think I can go in there and do my best,” Thompson explained. “Instead of waiting to the summer, I can get in there early to get accustomed. Graduating early gives me a head start and I will be more ahead and more prepared.”

Thompson also gets to keep a family tradition of playing in the SEC. His older brother is former Georgia standout Nolan Smith Jr., who now plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.

“It’s great because my brother played for Georgia,” noted Thompson. “So he was in the SEC and we are just keeping that going. I know it is a hard conference and I know I have to work to start in that league.”

“It’s a really good feeling. I haven’t had that kind of feeling so it feels good to make my decision and to be a Bulldog.”

With his decision, Thompson becomes the fifth offensive lineman in State’s Class of 2026. He joins Dalton Toothman, Charles Humphrey, Dylan Steen and Jayden Ross.

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