2024 State commit TJ Lockhart eager for future in Starkville
Winona High School’s TJ Lockhart committed to Mississippi State in March and at the time, the On3 three-star offensive lineman was the second 2024 commitment for the Bulldogs.
Since that decision, Lockhart has remained focused on his Bulldog future and he was able to experience some of that future last weekend. Lockhart was one of several 2024 commitments in Starkville for an official visit to get more acquainted with head coach Jeff Lebby and the new State staff.
Lockhart is rated as the nation’s No. 77 interior lineman and the state’s No. 26 prospect by On3 composite rankings.
“It’s always good being back over there and I had fun,” Lockhart recalled. “My host was Dink (Kalvin Dinkins). He said when he first got there that it already felt like family and I always felt like that, too.”
For Lockhart, the entire weekend was enjoyable, especially getting the opportunity to see where he would be spending the next 4-5 years of his playing career.
“I feel like everything we did was fun,” said Lockhart. “I liked seeing all of the campus and the housing and stuff.”
The visit also served another purpose for Lockhart and his fellow commitments. That centered around his conversations with new offensive line coach Cody Kennedy and talking with Kennedy about his future on the Bulldogs’ front line.
“It was a good experience talking to Coach Kennedy,” the 6-foot-5 and 360-pound Lockhart noted. “He was saying how he develops players to be something good. We talked about my position some and he likes me on the inside of the line. I feel like he will develop me and make me better, and help me become the person I want to be.”
Lockhart was joined by several family members on the visit, including his younger brother who already holds a Mississippi State offer. He was also able to build bonds with seveal of his future teammates.
“My brother (2025 linebacker Tyler Lockhart) was with me, too,” mentioned Lockhart. “Then I hung out a lot with Stonka (Braylon Burnside), JJ (Harrell), Danny Hill, Fat (Fred Clark) and Frisco (Sanfrisco Magee).”
While Lockhart’s decision was made months ago, he was thrilled to see other visitors eventually join the class last weekend. That included the new commitments of 2024 quarterback Michael Van Buren and 2024 receivers Sanfrisco Magee and Mario Craver.
“It felt good to see some of them commit and it helps our offense be more elite,” Lockhart added. “I was also with Luke Work and we talked about what we’d be doing when we get there. It will be good for both of us learning together on the offensive line.”
