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Former Tulane transfer DK McGruder welcomes new opportunity at Mississippi State

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones06/08/25PaulJonesOn3
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Last month former Tulane transfer and juco cornerback DK McGruder got an unexpected opportunity. After sitting out this past year, McGruder began having talks with Mississippi State’s staff about a possible future with the Bulldogs.

One thing led to another and with Mississippi State having one spot to fill on the 2025 roster, McGruder was offered by Mississippi State.

“They hit me up a couple of weeks ago,” McGruder recalled. “They were just trying to see if I was still available. Then we kept in contact and eventually, they hit me up and said they wanted to get me on a visit.”

However, that visit wasn’t necessary for McGruder to join the Bulldogs’ roster. Earlier this week the State staff called him again and told him that he had a spot waiting on him.

“I was in the process of setting up the visit,” added the 6-foot-2 and 175-pound McGruder, who has two years of remaining eligibility. “Then the next thing you know, they said if I wanted to be at Mississippi State then they wanted me. They said we don’t have to do the visit. They said I am a Mississippi guy and they want me there and it’s all you.”

McGruder played his prep career at Adams County Christian before heading to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for two years. In his two years at Gulf Coast, McGruder totaled 23 tackles with eight PBUs and two fumble recoveries.

McGruder was once a 2024 Troy commitment before eventually signing with Tulane. McGruder was at Tulane in the spring of 2024 but entered the transfer portal before last season started. And now, he has the opportunity to play in the SEC.

“It’s a great opportunity,” McGruder remarked. “Being able to stay in the Sip and stay at home, it really means a lot to me. I get to play for the state I grew up in. It is a big opportunity.”

More specifically, McGruder has learned what that opportunity details from his conversations with the staff. He will begin taking advantage of that opportunity in July when he enrolls at Mississippi State.

“They told me they want me as a depth guy,” noted McGruder. “They want me to come in and rotate. They said they have a lot of guys rotating at cornerback and they want me to be one of those guys.”

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