By Apollo Lundin
If you are a fan of the Bulldogs of Mississippi State in Starkville, your mind is probably racing right now. Jeff Lebby comes in with no head coaching experience, but he will be looking to build the Bulldogs into a powerhouse, and that first comes with the 2025 recruiting class.
KaMario Taylor
Macon, MS (Noxubee County)
#269 NAT, #21 QB, #10 MS
Mississippi State is seeking a new offensive leader to fill the role once held by Dak Prescott and Will Rogers. KaMario Taylor shows promise as a potential match for Prescott’s impact in Starkville. The physical tools are apparent, at 6’4’’ and 205 pounds, with stats that jump off the stat sheet. He’s thrown for 5,000 yards and 71 touchdowns and holds a near 60% completion percentage in two years of varsity football. Taylor can use his legs too, as he averages over eight yards per rush attempt in 97 rushes and added 16 touchdowns on the ground.
Taylor is a four-sport athlete in high school and the tools he uses in all the sports show in his play. He is calm and collected in the pocket and quick and agile when he needs to buy time or make a play on his own.
Taylor has continued to improve and has earned an Elite 11 invite, where he stood out. Mississippi State was his first offer, and he chose the Bulldogs over Vanderbilt, Missouri, Texas A&M, and others.
Tyshun Willis
Camden, MS (Velma Jackson)
#313 NAT, #24 EDGE, #12 MS
Seen as a top-25 edge rusher in the 2025 class, Tyshun Willis looks to be the cornerstone of the defense in Starkville. Standing at 6’2’’ and 220 pounds, Willis’ physical tools set him up for success at the next level.
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His work ethic and will to win are not questionable either. Willis, a state champion in Mississippi for powerlifting, posted a 630-pound deadlift, 240-pound bench press, and a 565-pound squat his sophomore year. Additionally, his brother, Antavious Willis, is a running back for Southern Miss.
On the football field, Tyshun Willis has talent. Throughout his varsity career, Willis has 91 tackles for loss, 245 total tackles, with 179 being solo tackles. Mississippi State will hope that Willis continues to improve and make an impact for the Bulldogs.
AJ Rice
Madison, AL (Madison Academy)
#738 NAT, #80 LB, #31 AL
Ranked third in the Bulldogs recruiting class, the national rankings do not do AJ Rice justice. Standing at 6’2’’ and 240 pounds, Rice has the physical tools and stature of a prototypical linebacker. Through two seasons of varsity football, Rice has 95 total tackles, 50 tackles for loss, and recorded two sacks. Rice will need some time to develop when he gets to the next level, but his physical tools and the SEC coaching should be the perfect foundation.
Aj Rice chose Mississippi State over ten offers and chose the Bulldogs over schools like Baylor, Cincinnati, and Ole Miss.
Top 25 ranked in 2025 LB AJ Rice (@AjRice3 ) getting some work in.
Rice is locked in as a Miss St Commit.
Easily one of the best returning players in 4A football around the state etc.
Film proves that. @CoachBGodsey @clh_strength @MAMustangsFB @DexPreps @AL4afootball pic.twitter.com/nRIIN7VxJH
— UnLockYourGame (@UnLockYourGame) April 1, 2024
