2024 Bulldog commit JaCorey Whitted comfortable with new Mississippi State staff
Since committing to Mississippi State early in the fall, 2024 tight end and On3 three-star prospect JaCorey Whitted has kept a low profile on the recruiting trail. And for good reason.
Despite the coaching changes in Starkville, the McAdory (Ala.) High School standout has remained firm in his college decision. Last weekend Whitted officially visited his future home and got his first opportunity to be around the new offensive staff along with head coach Jeff Lebby.
“It was good and I like going down there,” Whitted explained. “It was good especially meeting all of the new coaches that just got there.”
Naturally, Whitted got more insight to his position and his role in Lebby’s offense. In those talks with Lebby, his role sounded similar to what he’s been doing in the prep ranks.
“Coach Lebby said he wants to use me everywhere, blocking and flexed out,” Whitted mentioned. “That is mostly what I did in high school. I do have to work more on my blocking but Coach Lebby said he would use me all around.”
More specifically, Whitted also learned details of his responsibilities during his conversations with State tight ends coach Jon Cooper. And Whitted felt a good connection right away with Cooper.
“I thought my talks with Coach Cooper went good,” Whitted recalled. “He is way different from Coach (Mike) Schmidt who used to coach the tight ends. Coach Cooper actually sits down with you and wants to coach you. So that was a good thing.”
Throughout the weekend, Whitted was with a couple of Bulldog tight ends that offered more insight into the program. But most of those talks didn’t center around the gridiron, he said.
“I was with JC (Jacarious Clayton) and (Geor’quarius) Spivey,” noted the 6-foot-7 and 220-pound Whitted. “We really didn’t talk about football and we were just hanging out and stuff. It wasn’t about football the whole time. Spivey was good to talk to and he is hoping to get another year.”
Any concerns that Whitted had about the new staff quickly disappeared once his official visit concluded. He feels confident about his future with Lebby and his staff and is eager to see what the future holds.
“That was my last official visit,” added Whitted. “Being able to be around the new coaches, it makes me way more comfortable with them and my decision. Getting to know Coach Lebby better, I feel great about it.”
