Staying in State Series: 2023 Recap – Mississippi State (Part 4)

<!-- 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 finish up the Bulldogs portion of our series by looking at the defensive backs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='107295' first='Isaac' last='Smith'] - Itawamba AHS</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Highly regarded as the top in-state signee for the Bulldogs, Smith can be looked at as a potential difference maker from his first day on campus in the maroon and white. Over his career at IAHS he was seen all over the field on both sides of the ball, but he best projects to the SEC in the secondary at safety. Smith brings elite athletic intangibles to the table with potential to defend the pass in both zone and man schemes. Expect Zach Arnett and company to use Smith all over the field. Framed to withstand SEC strength and toughness. Plays with instinct which combines nicely with above average agility. Potential to be a ball-hawk. Expect to see Smith as a multi-year starter in Starkville. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='107043' first='Kelley' last='Jones'] - Clarksdale</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>No one saw their recruitment get more heated over his final year of high school than Clarksdale native, Jones. The incomer possesses elite length with his frame and specifically arm length. Potential nightmare in throwing windows due to speed and length mixture. A bit unrefined skills wise, but has athletic intangibles to mature. Jones is the next great athlete in a long line of talent from Clarksdale and projects as a future starter at cornerback. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='340817' first='Jaylen' last='Aborom'] - Oak Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Speaking of talent, there is and has been no shortage of that at Oak Grove for quite some time. Aborom saw time on both sides of of the ball in high school, as well, and contributed nicely in both areas. The summer before his senior year saw his recruitment take off and ultimately ended with a commitment to Mississippi State. Aborom is a bit of a tweener position wise but fits the overall scheme of Zach Arnett's 3-3-5 defense well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->