2024 signee JJ Harrell embraces leadership role in Mississippi State's class

North Panola High School’s JJ Harrell has been focused on a Mississippi State future since June. On Wednesday, that “long journey” and recruiting process came to an end for the 2024 receiver and On3 four-star prospect.

The 6-foot and 185-pound Harrell officially signed with Mississippi State and he is just a couple of weeks away from enrolling at Mississippi State. Harrell is rated as the nation’s No. 32 receiver and the state’s No. 6 prospect by On3 composite rankings.

“This has been life changing,” Harrell said. “It has been a long and tough journey. I had to make sure I made the right decision but that is ultimately what it takes to find the right fit. I had to go somewhere that I felt comfortable and at home. The journey can be overwhelming and crazy. At the same time, I am glad it came to an end.”

Like his fellow Bulldog signees, Harrell also saw his future school go through a coaching change. He originally committed to former State head coach Zach Arnett, who was let go in November. But his recruiting coach and position coach Chad Bumphis was retained on the staff by new head coach Jeff Lebby.

Harrell never flinched, however, and he leaned on the advice given to him by North Panola head coach Randal Montgomery.

“Coach Bump staying was big for me,” Harrell noted. “But Coach Montgomery told me when you go through adversity, brighter days will come and the sun will come back out. Coach Montgomery taught me to never give up and he put that dog in me. He always told me it would get better over time.”

Harrell initially committed to Tennessee during his junior school year. He backed off that pledge this past spring and then joined State’s class in June. And ever since, he’s been the vocal leader of the class.

“Back on June 20th is when I got started,” recalled Harrell. “I knew I had a job to do and I had to help us turn around the program. We are not the same team we were in 2014 but I know what it takes to get back there. We have to go to work to get what we need.

“I knew how hard I had to recruit. I wanted to be that vocal leader and show that we are family. At the end of the day, I am still going to be recruiting after signing day.”

Which Harrell did on a daily basis with State’s Class of 2024 and he provided help to Lebby and his staff.

“When Coach Lebby got the job, I told him we need these guys to turn the program around,” Harrell added. “Coach Lebby has been there for me and I have been there for him. We talk every day about the guys we need to go get, no questions asked.”

And with the arrival of Lebby, Harrell is also excited about the possiibilities of Lebby’s offense at State.

“Coach Lebby is the only coach that has been in the Top 5 nationally in passing yards the last five years,” Harrell remarked. “He is the offensive coach that State needed and I prayed that we would get an offensive-minded coach. My heart was always in Starkville so I am blessed to be in that offense.

“We can be good right away, too. As soon as (Baylor transfer quarterback) Blake (Shapen) committed, I reached out to him and he is a versatile quarterback. I believe in Blake and I can’t wait to get to work with all of those guys.”

As noted, Harrell has also taken care of business in the class room. He has already graduated high school and is a couple of weeks away from arriving at Mississippi State.

“It will be fun enrolling early,” mentioned Harrell. “It is a life-changing decision but it is definitely better for me to get in there early. I can learn the playbook and get bigger, faster, stronger. It will be hard to get used to it at first but I will be good to go in the spring.”