Staying in State Series: 2023 Recap – Mississippi State (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the bow is tied up on the class of 2023 and this recruiting cycle, we are continuing a look back at the players that signed national letters of intent to remain in Mississippi.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We will continue our series today with Mississippi State, who signed so many in-state kids, that we are having to break their class into multiple parts. Let's continue with the incoming Bulldogs at the linebacker position.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106162' first='Ty' last='Jones']</strong> <strong>- Bay Springs</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of all the names mentioned in today's piece, Jones has been at the forefront of recruiting conversations for the longest. The standout from Bay Springs competed on both sides of the ball at RB and LB and was an elite contributor both ways. Jones shows explosiveness and quick instinct in tracking of the football with a frame that will allow him to bulk. Jones will grow mentally on the defensive side of the ball as all of his time is focused there moving forward. Bulldog fans will see a bit of a Tyrus Wheat comparison when projecting Jones down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='106310' first='Tabias' last='Hinton'] - Hattiesburg</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Hinton will be a natural fit on the edge of Zach Arnett's 3-3-5 scheme defensively. In the 6"3 range with room to grow, Hinton will have an opportunity to develop as a true SEC pass rush threat over time. Athleticism appears to come easily and naturally as the Hattiesburg standout reacts to the snap. Hinton shows a desire for contact and is willing to be the initiator of it. Potential explodes off the tape with Hinton as a true pass rush threat moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='340749' first='Zakari' last='Tillman'] - Florence</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the 3 high school LB's MSU signed for 2023, Tillman best fits into the "do it all" type of category. Strong build with ability to play across the scheme including pass rush and defense. Tillman, much like Hinton, shows desire to not only play sideline to sideline but to get downhill and strike. As is common in the state, Tillman's recruitment exploded late but he never wavered from the Maroon and White. A January enrollee, expect Tillman to to grow as a complete player quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->