15 Mississippi Non-Committed Division 1 FBS Prospects of 2023
In this article:
With early signing day just around the corner, many of Mississippi’s D1 FBS recruits have already made their college decision. Others are still waiting to choose or are simply still garnering attention. Today, we highlight 15 2023 recruits with Division…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingWith early signing day just around the corner, many of Mississippi’s D1 FBS recruits have already made their college decision. Others are still waiting to choose or are simply still garnering attention. Today, we highlight 15 2023 recruits with Division 1 offers who are still available in the 2023 class.
The highly touted senior athlete finishes his high school career with a Mr. Football of 4A honor attached to his name. Smith put up an insane stat line as a senior, throwing for 2 touchdowns, rushing for 913 yards and 17 touchdowns, catching 46 balls for 762 yards and 4 touchdowns on offense alone. On the defensive side of the football, Smith totaled 10 interceptions, 5 passes defended, 76 total tackles, a forced fumble, and 4 tackles for loss. This guy will be remembered as one of Mississippi’s most dominant players for a long time. Looking forward into the future, Smith is being pursued as a defensive back at the next level. Holding offers from all most all the SEC and multiple national powers in Michigan and Southern California, the senior will be making a difficult decision over the next month. Will he stay home at one of the in state schools in Ole Miss or Mississippi State, or will he cross state lines to another university?
Caleb Bryant Caleb Bryant 6’3″ | 245 lbs | DL Vicksburg | 2023 State MS was a player that came into his senior season holding multiple Group of Five offers, but played his way into multiple major Power 5 offers. Bryant is a big time defensive tackle with a ton of athleticism and burst to him. His natural twitch off the ball and power that he plays with make him a highly sought after commodity for coaches at the next level. When it comes to pass rushing and run stopping, Bryant is one of the best available defensive linemen in the south east. Holding offers from Utah, Oregon, Southern California, as well as in-state Mississippi State, Bryant could just as easily decide to go dominate on the West Coast as he could to stay home.
One of the state’s biggest sleepers, senior wide receiver Isaiah Spencer Isaiah Spencer 6’1″ | 180 lbs | WR Madison Central | 2023 State MS is still garnering interest from universities around the south. After another huge season, Spencer will be remembered as a dominant WR in 6A football. The Madison Central product is a complete package at wide out. With his height, length, and speed, Spencer can be a difference maker at any school he attends at the next level. Intangibles aside, this is a kid that can run crisp routes and catch the football at its highest point. Holding offers from Georgia Tech, Arkansas State, Southern Miss, and Coastal Carolina among others, Spencer can make a difference in a future wide receiver room wherever he lands.
Winning his region’s player of the year award, Omarion Blakes Omarion Blakes 5’11” | 175 lbs | ATH McEvans | 2023 State MS is a two way player that looks to be recruited for his skill set on the offensive side of the ball, but could easily make the switch over to defensive back as well. Blakes came into the season with official offers from Army, Air Force, Mississippi State, and Colorado State among others, but looks to have entered the sleeper category now. For whatever reason, college teams are missing out on a special talent with the ball in his hands. Blakes has recently added additional offers to many of the state’s local junior colleges, so it will be interesting to see if he decides to go to a 4 year he has an offer at already or try to pick up even bigger time interest at the junior college level. Whatever decision he makes, Blakes is a dominant force on both sides of the ball and whoever gets him will be a lucky winner.
Listing a top 3 of Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee State, and Louisiana Lafayette, senior Ja’Braxton Boone Ja’Braxton Boone 6’1″ | 195 lbs | WR Ridgeland | 2023 State MS came into the season with a strong offer sheet. A part of a Ridgeland passing game that took the state by storm, Boone played a big role as both a rusher and a receiver. With his powerful build at 6’1″ 195, Boone was tough to stop in the open field. He has great make you miss ability and cannot be brought down by arm tackles alone. Boone could easily play a “Deebo Samuel” type role at the next level – the question will be where. Alongside his current top 3, Boone has been adding local junior college offers in the event that he wants to showcase his talents at that level. Very talented player that can make a difference for an offense at the D1 FBS level.
A once Mississippi State commit, Dante Kelly Dante Kelly 6’3″ | 205 lbs | DB LeFlore | 2023 State MS is a long, strong, and fast playmaker at the safety position. This guy was making play after play throughout his senior season. Kelly has great range as a safety prospect, easily covering ground and triggering on the ball in the air. As a run defender, Kelly is a natural tackler who can bring the boom when needed in the backfield. Totaling over 228 rush yards and 6 touchdowns on offense along with 69 tackles, 5 sacks, and 4 INTs on defense, this was a player that produced at a high level all year. Kelly currently holds offers from Memphis, Southern Miss, Vanderbilt, and Navy among others. Safeties with his skill set are hard to come by.
As Gabriel Moore Gabriel Moore 6’4″ | 245 lbs | DL Louisville | 2023 State MS ‘s season continues this week, he should not be in a hurry to make his college decision. The Wildcats could be well on their way to yet another 4A state championship, and Moore continues to make highlight reel style plays. On the season so far, the pass rushing end has totaled over 35 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles. Moore has the frame and athleticism to become a monster at the next level. Holding offers from Troy, Southern Miss, Arkansas State, and Mississippi State already, Moore could find himself with even more opportunities on the table come signing day in December.
Primarily playing offensive tackle this season, Jamerious Jenkins Jamerious Jenkins 6’2″ | 295 lbs | OL Water Valley | 2023 State MS was a star of the offseason this past year, gaining offers from both Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Jenkins is a huge prospect at 6’3″ 290 and could either continue playing offensive line or defensive line at the next level baring team need. The naturally strong and powerful trenchman plays with a good base and hips underneath him, dominating anybody across the line of scrimmage. Jenkins appears to be the type of small town Mississippi product that in 3 years, everybody will be saying “How did we miss THAT guy?!” Recently, Jenkins has been adding offers from the local junior colleges where he will have an opportunity to continue to build his resume if he chooses to do so. This is a legit FBS prospect that teams need to take notice of prior to signing day.
Similar to Moore, Zavion Coleman Zavion Coleman 6’3″ | 285 lbs | DL Picayune Memorial | 2023 State MS and Picayune are still playing football this week with a chance at winning another state championship. The 6’3″ 280 pound defensive tackle has a lot to like. Coleman has violent hands at the point of attack and uses his strength to bully opposing offensive tackles. To go along with his power, Coleman moves well in space and shows the ability to bend off the edge. Throughout his senior season, Coleman has added offers from Southern Mississippi, Central Arkansas, and Louisiana Lafayette. That list should continue to grow prior to signing day, leaving Coleman with plenty of options for the next level.
Highlights
A senior offensive tackle out of Clinton, Griffin Berch Griffin Berch 6’5″ | 270 lbs | OL Clinton | 2023 State MS has been a big time sleeper prospect in the state of Mississippi. Berch stands at 6’5″ 270 and has the frame to continue growing and developing physically. As a run blocker, Berch explodes off the ball and plays with great pad level. This is the type of guy that can take defenders for a ride into the dirt. As a pass protector, he does a great job at mirroring pass rushers and striking with a strong first punch. Berch currently holds offers from Louisiana Tech and Louisiana Monroe, but has been adding local junior college offers if he decides to go that route as well.
Starkville’s Jaylon York Jaylon York 6’0″ | 175 lbs | ATH Starkville | 2023 State MS has been a player that has played all across the skill position set over his career, dominating at wide receiver this season for the Yellow Jackets. His future, however, could be at defensive back due to his quick twitch and ball skills. At wide out this year, York has totaled 53 catches for 879 yards and 8 touchdowns with another given week of football left. York has great speed in the open field and looks natural with the football in his hands. His best skill is his ability to go up over top defenders to make contested catches – something that could translate well to the defensive side of the ball. York currently holds offers from Southern Miss Arkansas State, and Austin Peay among other juice opportunities, but still has time to add to his highlight reel this season.
Brendan Brown
Brendan Brown
Totaling over 913 receiving yards, 10 touchdowns, 3 rush touchdowns, a passing touchdown, and 2 INTs on the year, Brendan Brown was a prospect that broke out in a big way during his senior campaign. The 6’2″ 180 pound athlete was one of the best in 6A football this season. Brown is a smooth route runner who can create big plays on his own in the open field. This guy is a yards after catch machine. Out of all the best available receivers left in Mississippi, Brown has some of the most natural hands. It is no wonder why Mississippi State extended an offer to him just a few weeks ago. With only a limited amount of time left before early signing day, do not be surprised if other schools come into the picture. The Bulldog’s Air Raid offense would be a great fit for Brown though.
Exploding over the summer with college offers, Madison Central’s Braxton Barney Braxton Barney 6’5″ | 220 lbs | DL Madison Central | 2023 State MS is one of the special defensive talents left available in the 2023 class. Barney has great athleticism to him, boasting a verified 4.70 40 yard dash to his name. The 6’5″ linebacker/defensive lineman hybrid could be used in a multitude of ways at the next level. As a pass rusher, this is a guy that knows how to win with a variety of moves and uses his athleticism to his advantage. Colleges are actively looking for guys like Barney that can move the way he can. Barney currently holds offers from WKU, UAB, Akron, Southern Miss, and Arkansas State among others. Whoever is getting this guy is getting a steal on the field.
Amari Smith
Amari Smith
A selection to the Mississippi-Alabama All Star Game, senior Amari Smith was one of the biggest breakout candidates of the season. Smith stands at 6’7″ 295 and has prototypical size for a tackle at the next level. It is no question as to why schools like Ole Miss and Mississippi State have recently offered the rising star out of Brookhaven. Smith shows the ability to change direction and bend extremely well for his size. As a run blocker, he plays well in space and does a good job at working to the next level. He has raw strength to him as well that makes him a very desirable prospect. Will more schools get involved prior to signing day? Most likely, but with Ole Miss and Mississippi State already involved, Smith has two great in-state options already on the table.
A member of the talented Vicksburg defense that looks to continue playing throughout December, Jaleel Fleming Jaleel Fleming 6’3″ | 185 lbs | DB Vicksburg | 2023 State MS is one of the best available defensive backs left on the board. The 6’3″ 185 pound safety made big waves over summer throughout the camp and 7v7 circuits, and his on field play may be even better. What stands out most about this guy are his natural ball skills. Fleming can read the quarterbacks eyes, cover a ton of ground quickly, and pick the ball off at its highest point before receivers ever have a chance to get their hands up. You want to stay away from him if you are throwing the football downfield. Fleming currently holds offers from Arkansas State, Buffalo, Colorado State, among other FCS opportunities. It will be interesting to see who else gets in the game before signing day and where Fleming will land. Very impressive talent in the secondary.