Staying in State Series: 2023 recap – Mississippi State

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the bow is tied up on the class of 2023 and this recruiting cycle, let's take a look back at the players that have signed national letters of intent to remain in Mississippi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will kickoff our series today with Mississippi State, who signed so many in-state kids, that we will have to break their class into two parts. Let's get started with the incoming Bulldogs on the offensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='106163' first='Malik' last='Ellis'] - OL - Laurel</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Ellis committed to the Bulldogs early in the process and effectively shut his recruitment down during the stretch run. The Golden Tornado grad was an early enrollee in Starkville which will be beneficial in it's own right. News from Starkville is that with a shift away from the Air Raid that Ellis could be tinkered with at several different positions due to the length and leanness of his frame. A question to watch with the Bulldogs this spring will circle the addition of the tight end position for the first time in years and what effects that will have on a roster that has none. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='108897' first='Zay' last='Alexander'] - OL - Tupelo</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some guys just have the look of being ready to step in and play, and physically Alexander fits that mold. The Tupelo standout did a fantastic job in the offseason between his JR and SR year in firming up his frame and playing with more true strength. Alexander should get opportunities to play both the guard and tackle position as he comes in near 6"7 and over 300 lbs. The offense of Coach Kevin Barbay should be one that better suits Alexander's current skillset. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>[player_tooltip player_id='548406' first='Amari' last='Smith'] - OL - Brookhaven</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Bulldog staff did a fantastic job in closing the deal on Smith who saw his recruitment blow up very late in the process. Much like Ellis and Alexander, Smith possesses great length and looks perfectly capable of adding strength to the frame. Lots of potential and raw characteristics.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->