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Rivals four-star edge Micah Nickerson officially signs with Mississippi State

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones2 hours agoPaulJonesOn3

To say South Pike High School’s Micah Nickerson had an “interesting” recruiting process would be an understatement. But all of those twists and turns came to a close on Wednesday, the start of the December signing period.

The 2026 edge and Rivals four-star prospect officially signed with Mississippi State on Wednesday, which provided a full-circle moment for Nickerson. He originally committed to Mississippi State in June before flipping to Missouri in September. Nickerson is rated as the nation’s No. 13 edge and the state’s No. 6 prospect by Rivals. He is also listed as the nation’s No. 94 overall prospect regardless of position by Rivals.

“It’s definitely been interesting,” Nickerson remarked. “It does make you nervous at times but all of that was over with when I signed. I enjoyed meeting new people and coaches through it all. But I am glad it’s over with.”

Not long after flipping to Missouri, Nickerson remained in contact with Mississippi State and even took in a couple of game-day visits to Starkville. And obviously, never giving up on Nickerson paid off on signing day.

“It’s always been good with Mississippi State,” explained Nickerson. “I’ve been back over there lately and it was good. Their coaches have just been trying to get me back up there when I was committed to Missouri and they always stayed on me.

“The people and the players were my favorite thing and I like how we get along. They have an awesome facility and they’re going to take care of me so I just felt at peace with it all.”

And that includes head coach Jeff Lebby. His message to Nickerson throughout Nickerson’s recruiting process was simple and straight to the point.

“Coach Lebby always stayed on me,” said Nickerson. “He has told me the whole time he wants me there and lets me know I can help turn the program around.”

During his prep career at South Pike, Nickerson often showed his versatility and was productive on both sides of the ball. For the Bulldogs, he expects to stay on the edge and hopefully improve State’s pass rush in the future, which is a major need.

“I’ve talked a lot with the coaches about my future there,” Nickerson noted. “We’ve been talking about my position there, too. They like me as an outside linebacker, an edge rusher. I like being on the edge so it is a good fit for me.”

And now that signing day has come and gone for Nickerson, he shifts his attention to the next chapter. He graduates from South Pike later this month and will enroll at State in January.

“I was just ready to sign,” added Nickerson. “Then I get there early in January and it should be good. I am tight with the coaches at Mississippi State. Being from Mississippi, it feels like home.”

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