2015 Mississippi State Signing Class

STARKVILLE, MS (WLOX) - 2015 Mississippi State Football Signing Class (22)

Name  Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Hometown (School)

Fletcher Adams  DL  6-2 260 Brandon, Miss. (Brandon HS)

Nick Gibson  RB  5-11 197 Birmingham, Ala. (Pinson Valley HS)

Farrod Green  TE 6-3 215 Wesson, Miss. (Wesson Attendance Center)

Justin Johnson  WR 6-4 224 Birmingham, Ala. (Hoover HS)

Dontea Jones  ATH 6-4 260 Louisville, Miss. (Louisville HS)

Kendell Jones DL 6-4 255 Pinson, Ala. (Clay-Chalkville HS)

Keith Joseph Jr.   LB  6-4 226 Pascagoula, Miss. (Pascagoula HS)

Traver Jung LB 6-4 215 Greenville, Miss. (Holmes CC)

Leo Lewis  LB  6-2 231 Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven HS)

Mark McLaurin  DB 6-2 210 Collins, Miss. (Collins HS)

Keith Mixon  WR 5-8 175 Birmingham, Ala. (Shades Valley School)

Harrison Moon  OL 6-4 276 Chattanooga, Tenn. (Signal Mountain HS)

T.D. Moton  DL  6-3 310  Shreveport, La. (Woodlawn HS)

Anfernee Mullins  DL 6-4 245 Aliceville, Ala. (Aliceville HS)

Alec Murphy  RB 6-1 225 Nixa, Mo. (Nixa HS)

Jamal Peters  DB 6-2 216  Bassfield, Miss. (Bassfield HS)

Maurice Smitherman  DB 5-9 178 Adamsville, Ala. (Minor HS)

Jonnas Spivey WR 6-1 181 Bay Springs, Miss. (Bay Springs HS)

Chris Stamps  DB 6-1 170 Vicksburg, Miss. (Warren Central HS)

Nick Tiano  QB 6-5 230 Chattanooga, Tenn. (Baylor School)

Tim Washington  LB 6-3 183 Yazoo City, Miss. (Yazoo City HS)

Darryl Williams  OL  6-3 304 Bessemer, Ala. (Bessemer City HS)

2015 Mississippi State Football Early Enrollees (6) (Count toward 2014 Signing Class)

Name  Pos.  Ht.  Wt.  Hometown (School)

Johnathan Calvin DL  6-4 250  Jackson, Miss. (Copiah-Lincoln CC)

Malik Dear    WR  5-9 226  Jackson, Miss. (Murrah HS)

Donald Gray   WR  5-9 185 Memphis, Tenn. (Copiah-Lincoln CC)

Martinas Rankin OL  6-5 300  Mendenhall, Miss. (Miss. Gulf Coast CC)

Michael Story OL  6-4 290 Ripley, Miss. (Ripley HS)

Deddrick Thomas   WR  5-9 170 Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Central HS)

Deddrick Thomas   WR  5-9 170 Memphis, Tenn. (Memphis Central HS)

Class Rankings

247Sports: 18 (highest since No. 13 in 2003)

: 16

: 16 (would be highest since No. 9 in 2003)

: 17 (ties for highest ever; No. 17 in 2002)

Breakdown by Position (does not include early enrollees)

QB: 1

RB: 2

WR/TE: 5

OL: 2

DB: 4

LB: 4

DL: 4

Breakdown by State (includes early enrollees)

Mississippi: 15 (16 including in-state junior colleges)

Alabama: 7

Tennessee: 4 Louisiana: 1

Missouri: 1

Breakdown by School (does not include early enrollees)

High School: 21

Junior College: 1

Breakdown by Stars (does not include early enrollees)

4-Star: 10

3-Star: 12

Breakdown by: (includes early enrollees)

ESPN300: 7 (Peters, Lewis, Dear, Adams, Moton, Williams, Washington)

Rivals250: 4 (Peters, Lewis, Gibson, Adams)

Scout300: 4 (Adams, Lewis, Peters, Dear)

Scout JUCO100: 4 (Ranking, Jung, Calvin, Gray)

Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen: 6 (Peters, Lewis, Washington, Adams, Dear, Jones)

JUCO All-Americans: 2 (Gray, Rankin)

Under Armour All-Americans: 1 (Lewis)

U.S. Army All-Americans: 1 (Peters)

2015 Mississippi State Football Signee Bios

Fletcher Adams, DL, 6-2, 260, Brandon, Miss. (Brandon HS)

A consensus blue-chip four-star defensive lineman ranked one of the top 200 overall players in the nation

… Rated one of the top 30 defensive linemen in the country and the No. 5 prospect in the state by

247Sports and

… The top pass rusher in Mississippi … Tabbed the No. 4 player in the state by

and

… Brother of current MSU standout defensive lineman Nelson Adams … Member of the Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen … Helped lead the Brandon Bulldogs to a Region 3-6A title and an appearance in the South Mississippi state championship in 2014 … Was part of a squad that went 12-2 overall and 7-0 in district as a senior …  Racked up 136 total tackles with 23 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a senior in 2014 … Made 111 total tackles, 17 tackles for loss and eight sacks with one interception as a junior in 2013 … Coached by Brad Peterson … Committed to Mississippi State in September 2014.

Nick Gibson, RB, 5-11, 197, Birmingham, Ala. (Pinson Valley HS)

Pegged a four-star back by 247Sports,

and

and a three-star prospect by

… Ranked the No. 3 running back in Alabama by

and the No. 12 prospect in the state of

Alabama by 247Sports …

has him as the No. 13 back in the country, the No. 7 prospect in Alabama and the No. 139 player in the country … Ability to break numerous tackles and extend drives wears down defenses … Was coached by Matt Glover at Pinson Valley … Received a scout grade of 90 from 247Sports and 80 from

… Clocked a 40-yard dash time of 4.66 … Named to

's A-List of the state's top football prospects in the class of 2015 … Amassed 165 yards rushing on 38 attempts and scored three touchdowns in a come-from-behind win in Oct. 2014 … As a junior rushed for 2,205 yards and 27 touchdowns with a chunk of those yards having come during one incredible 447-yard, six touchdown performance against Mortimer Jordan in September 2013 … Was the Class 5A running back of the year, as selected by the Alabama Sportswriters Association … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014.

Farrod Green, TE, 6-3, 215, Wesson, Miss. (Wesson Attendance Center)

A tall, athletic receiving target converting to tight end for his college career … A three-star tight end according to ESPN, Scout, Rivals and 247Sports … Named to the 2014 247Sports All-State All-Prospect First-Team Offense … The fourth-ranked player at his position in the country according to

… As a senior, caught 25 passes for 409 yards and eight touchdowns for head coach Ronald Greer … Also averaged 29.6 yards on 11 kickoff returns and rushed for 51 yards on 16 carries … Added 22 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery as a defender … Named to the American Family Insurance All-USA Mississippi Football Team after his senior season … A four-year standout on the basketball team, averaging more than eight points and seven rebounds per game over the past two seasons … Committed to Mississippi State in June 2014.

Justin Johnson, WR, 6-4, 224, Birmingham, Ala. (Hoover HS)

A three-star wideout by ESPN, Scout, Rivals and 247Sports … Rated the 50th-best receiver according to

… Ranked the No. 1 receiver in the state of Alabama by

,

and 247Sports

… An

Preseason First-Team All-State selection … Member of the 2014 Hoover squad that won the 7A state championship game under head coach Josh Niblett … Caught 22 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns as a senior despite battling through knee tendonitis … Racked up 617 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a junior … Caught three passes for 49 yards, including the game-winning touchdown, in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic at the end of his senior season … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014.

Dontea Jones, WR, 6-4, 235, Louisville, Miss. (Louisville HS)

A three-star pass catcher by ESPN, Scout, Rivals and 247Sports … Rated the eight-best player and the 69th-best wide receiver in the state by

… Ranked the 13th overall best player in the state according to Scout, as well as the 15th-best tight end nationally … A 2014 Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen honoree, the seventh from Louisville High School …  Named to the 2014 247Sports All-State All-Prospect First-Team Offense … Was on the receiving end of 34 passes for 537 yards and three touchdowns before a separated shoulder ended his promising senior season … Tallied 43 catches for 774 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior in leading Louisville to an undefeated season and a 2013 Class 3A state championship under head coach M.C. Miller … Recorded 45 receptions for 714 yards and 14 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2012 … Committed to Mississippi State in February 2014.

Kendell Jones, DE, 6-4, 255, Pinson, Ala. (Clay-Chalkville HS)

A three-star pass rusher by ESPN, Scout, Rivals and 247Sports … An

Second-Team All-State selection … Rated the No. 13 player in the state of Alabama by Scout and a top-40 player at his position nationally … Finished senior season with 77 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and one fumble recovery in 2014 … Helped lead his team to an undefeated 2014 season and a Class 6A state championship under head coach Jerry Hood …  Recorded seven tackles and two tackles for loss in the title game … Named to the Class 6A All-State Second-Team  by the Alabama Sports Writers Association after his senior season … Also named to the American Family Insurance All-USA Alabama Football Team … Committed to Mississippi State in June 2014.

Keith Joseph Jr., LB, 6-4, 226, Pascagoula, Miss. (Pascagoula HS)

In-state defensive prospect who follows in his father's footsteps to Mississippi State … His father, Keith

Sr., played linebacker for the Bulldogs from 1989-92 … A three-star defensive end as rated by 247Sports,

and

… Ranked the 13th-best prospect in Mississippi by 247Sports, No. 16 by

and No. 19 by

… Racked up 70 tackles (46 solos), 14 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 10 quarterback hurries and also blocked a field goal as a senior in 2014 …Totaled 67 tackles, 17 tackles for loss and five sacks as a junior in 2013 … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Committed to Mississippi State in June 2014 … Coached by Lewis Sims.

Traver Jung, LB, 6-4, 215, Greenville, Miss. (Holmes CC)

A four-star JUCO linebacker by

… Rated three stars by ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals … Suited up for two years at Holmes Community College under head coach Jeff Koonz … Ranked the second-best junior college linebacker by

and the 13th-best junior college player by 247Sports … Timed in the 40-yard dash with a 4.4 … Earned Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) First-Team All-State and All-Region honors in 2014 after recording 34 tackles, six pass deflections, three sacks, three tackles for loss, two interceptions and two blocked kicks … Also received MACJC First-Team All-State accolades as a freshman with 70 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and one forced squad that won the 7A state championship game under head coach Josh Niblett … Caught 22 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns as a senior despite battling through knee tendonitis … Racked up 617 receiving yards and six touchdowns as a junior … Caught three passes for 49 yards, including the game-winning touchdown, in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic at the end of his senior season … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014.

Leo Lewis, LB, 6-2, 231, Brookhaven, Miss. (Brookhaven HS)

The nation's top inside linebacker recruit … Powerful, instinctive playmaker … A consensus four-star prospect ranked the No. 2 overall player in the state of Mississippi … Tabbed the nation's No. 43 overall prospect by

, No. 60 overall by

and No. 63 by 247Sports … Member of the Clarion-Ledger Dandy Dozen and was a first-team All-American by USA Today … One of five finalists for the 2014 Dick Butkus Award, which goes to the nation's top linebacker … As a senior, recorded 76 tackles (58 solo) and two tackles for loss … Also had a fumble recovery and one sack for an eight yard loss … Played in the Under Armour All-American game … Finished with 100 tackles, five sacks, seven quarterback hurries, four forced fumbles and an interception as a junior in 2013 … Coached by Tommy Clopton.

Mark McLaurin, DB, 6-2, 210, Collins, Miss. (Collins HS)

Solid defensive back awarded four starts by 247Sports … Played wide receiver and safety and is the No. 8 ranked player in Mississippi by 247Sports … Ranked No. 14 in the state by

and No. 26 by

who also has him as a three-star recruit … A three-star prospect according to

who is the No. 18 player in the state … Helped Collins to be crowned the 2014 Class 3A State Champions and a 14-2 record during his senior season … In 16 games played during his senior season, recorded 35 receptions for 665 yards and eight touchdowns as a receiver … As a safety in 2014, recorded 38 total tackles and five for loss … Also picked off seven passes, deflected four passes, recovered three fumbles and caused one … Played baseball, basketball and football in high school … Coached by Ryan Earnest … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014.

Harrison Moon, OL, 6-4, 276, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Signal Mountain HS)

A three-star lineman by ESPN, Scout, Rivals and 247Sports who began his high school career as a tight end before switching to offensive tackle for his senior season under head coach Bill Price … Rated the 17th-best player in the state of Tennessee by

, as well as the 67th-best tackle prospect …

Ranked the fourth-best tackle in the state by

… Was a Dynamite Dozen selection by the

Chattanooga Times Free Press prior to his senior season … Paved the way for ball carriers as Signal

Mountain rushed for more than 3,450 yards during the 2014 season … Named a Tennessee Mr. Football Division I Class 2A finalist as a senior … Voted to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Class 4A all-state football team in 2014 … Named to the American Family Insurance  All-USA Tennessee Football Team … Before moving to tackle, caught five passes for 100 yards as a junior … Was a member of an undefeated and state championship-winning team after being called up to the varsity squad as a middle-school player … Committed to Mississippi State in June 2014.

Keith Mixon, WR, 5-8, 175, Birmingham, Ala. (Shades Valley HS)

All-purpose back out of Birmingham, Ala. … Runs the 40-yard dash in 4.45 and is an all-purpose back with a three-star rating from 247Sports,

,

and

…

has him as the No. 34 player in Alabama, while

has him at No. 18 … Tallied 73 career touchdowns, including 66 over the last two seasons … Named to

's A-List of the state's top football prospects in the class of 2015 … 2014 Birmingham News Metro Offensive MVP … Racked up 230 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns in the 2014 spring game with two touchdown runs over 60-yards … Amassed 2,822 all-purpose yards and 35 touchdowns during his junior season in 2013 … Metro Offensive Player of the Year in 2013, leading Shades Valley to a 10-2 record and into the second round of the Class 6A State Playoffs … Coached by William Smith … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014.

T.D. Moton, DL, 6-3, 310, Shreveport, La. (Woodlawn HS)

One of the nation's top 25 defensive tackles who hails from Shreveport, La. … A member of the ESPN300 (No. 228 overall) … Awarded four stars by

and

and three stars by

and

… Ranked No. 22 in the state of Louisiana by 247Sports, No. 25 by

and No. 10

… Committed to Mississippi State in January 2015 … Coached by Jerwin Wilson.

Anfernee Mullins, DL, 6-4, 245, Aliceville, Ala. (Aliceville HS)

Rated by

,

,

and

as a three-star recruit who is familiar with the weak side defensive end role … The No. 7 defensive lineman in Alabama according to

and the No. 31 recruit in the state for 247Sports … In 22 games in his junior and senior seasons, recorded 133 total tackles, 24 sacks, three fumble recoveries and a blocked field goal … Shined as a senior with 59 tackles, 27 tackles for loss and 15 sacks … Briefly played tight end … Recorded one catch for three yards and a touchdown in his junior season … Collected a 40-yard dash time of 4.75 … Coached by Charles Moody … Committed to Mississippi State in October 2014.

Alec Murphy, RB, 6-1, 225, Nixa, Mo. (Nixa HS)

Arguably, the top running back prospect in the state of Missouri … The first Division I prospect to come out of Nixa (Mo.) High School in 20 years … Consensus three-star back … Ranked the No. 9 overall player in the state of Missouri by 247Sports Composite, No. 6 by

and

and No. 7 by

… Notched 166 carries for 867 yards and 12 touchdowns in helping Nixa reach the Class 5 state title game as a senior … Rushed for 1,973 yards and scored 22 touchdowns as a junior in 2013 … Timed at 4.49 in the 40-yard dash … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014 … Coached by Richard Rehagen.

Jamal Peters, DB, 6-2, 216, Bassfield, Miss. (Bassfield HS)

A blue-chip defensive back who is the No. 1 prospect in the state of Mississippi for 2015 … Talented safety rated four stars by ESPN, Scout, Rivals and 247Sports … Ranked the 40th overall player in the country by

and the 57th overall by

… Ranked the top overall player in the state by

and

and the second-best in the state by 247Sports … The top safety prospect in

Mississippi according to all major recruiting services and the second-best safety in the country by

… Selected to The Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen for 2014 … Named MaxPreps 2014

Mississippi Mr. Football … Named to the 2014 247Sports All-State All-Prospect First-Team Defense … Tallied 60 tackles, 13 pass deflections, five interceptions, 4.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble as a senior for head coach Lance Mancuso … Also was an offensive standout, hauling in 28 passes for 581 yards and six touchdowns … Led his team to a third-straight Class 2A state championship … Rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown in the title game, while also booking five tackles and a half sack  … Named to 109 yards and a touchdown in the title game, while also booking five tackles and a half sack  … Named to

the Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 2A All-State Team, the American Family Insurance All-USA Mississippi Football Team, and the MaxPreps Small Schools All-American Football Team … Was chosen to participate in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic, where he totaled seven tackles and one tackle for loss … Selected to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl following his senior season … Recorded 72 tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble return for a touchdown as a junior … Displayed his athleticism as a member of the basketball team, collecting MaxPreps Player of the Year honors after averaging 18.2 points and eight rebounds per game during his junior season … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014.

Maurice Smitherman, DB, 5-9, 178, Adamsville, Ala. (Minor HS)

Rated a three-star recruit by

,

,

and 247Sports … 247Sports has him as the No. 13 prospect in Alabama and

has him as the No. 47 corner in his class and No. 24 in the state …

has him as the No. 23 recruit in the state … Ran the 40-yard dash in 4.5 … Compiled 98 total tackles and 16.5 tackles for loss in 25 games over the past three seasons … Grabbed five interceptions for 80 return yards and 16 pass deflections, along with one field goal block … Also returned kickoffs and punts … Amassed 291 kick return yards on 11 attempts with a long of 99 with a touchdown … Returned eight punts for 180 yards … Coached by George Bates … Committed to Mississippi State in June 2014.

Jonnas Spivey, WR, 6-1, 181, Bay Springs, Miss. (Bay Springs HS)

A dynamic three-star athlete out of Bay Springs High School … Played on both sides of the ball and was quarterback at Bay Springs, which advanced to the second round of the 2014 Class 2A playoffs … Projects to play wide receiver on the next level … Ranked No. 22 in the state of Mississippi by 247Sports Composite, No. 23 by

, No. 26 by

and No. 19 by

… In 2014, completed 80-of-112 passes for 1,431 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and 133 rushes for 1,002 yards and 13 touchdowns … Notched 17 tackles (five solos) and eight interceptions (three returned for a touchdowns) as a senior … Coached by Dan Brady … Committed to Mississippi State in July 2014.

Chris Stamps, DB, 6-1, 170, Vicksburg, Miss. (Warren Central HS)

Standout four-star rated defensive back by 247Sports and a three-star by

,

and

… Ranked the No. 10 player in the state of Mississippi by

, No. 11 by 247Sports and No. 14 by

… Has a 40-yard dash time of 4.48 … Played corner and wide receiver in high school … Coached by Josh Morgan at Warren Central … In four seasons at receiver, accumulated 902 receiving yards on 65 receptions to go with eight touchdowns … Also returned punts and kickoffs … Recorded 112 tackles and two for loss in 36 games on the defensive side of the ball … Over his career, intercepted 13 passes and returned them  for a total of 123 yards … Deflected 21 passes, recorded two fumbles and blocked one field goal his final three seasons … Committed to Mississippi State in February 2014.

Nick Tiano, QB, 6-5, 230, Chattanooga, Tenn. (Baylor School)

The top quarterback recruit in the state of Tennessee for the Class of 2015 … Consensus three-star athlete with great size … Ranked the No. 22 overall prospect in Tennessee by

, No. 20 by

, No. 26 by 247 Sports Composite and No. 28 by

… Prepped at Baylor School, which advanced to the third round of the 2014 Class 2A playoffs … As a senior in 2014, completed 137-of-224 passes for 2,096 yards with 16 touchdowns and three interceptions, and had 136 rushes for 723 yards and eight touchdowns … Accounted for 239 of Baylor's 318 offensive yards in a 2014 playoff opening round win, including 121 rushing yards … Coached by Phil Massey … Committed to Mississippi State in June 2014.

Tim Washington, LB, 6-3, 183, Yazoo City, Miss. (Yazoo City HS)

Athletic four-star linebacker who comes from a program that producer former MSU standout and current NFL star lineman Fletcher Cox … Member of the ESPN300 (No. 297) … Tabbed No. 6 in the state of

Mississippi by

, No. 9 in 247Sports composite, No. 9 by

and No. 11 by

…

Considered one of the top 20 outside linebacker prospects in the nation by

… Named to the

Clarion-Ledger's Dandy Dozen … Recorded 50 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and six sacks as a senior in 2014

… Accounted for 67 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks while blocking three punts as a junior in 2013 … Committed to Mississippi State in November 2013 following the MSU-Alabama game … Coached by Houston Ealy … Also plays basketball.

Darryl Williams, OL, 6-3, 304, Bessemer, Ala. (Bessemer City HS)

Versatile offensive lineman from the state of Alabama … Played all five positions on the line during his career at Bessemer City … One of several MSU players ranked in the ESPN300 (No. 245) … A four-star prospect ranked the 10th-highest in the state of Alabama by

… Considered the 13th-best prospect in the state of Alabama by 247Sports, No. 14 by

and No. 21 by

… Played in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic in December 2014 … Coached by Martez Edwards … Committed to Mississippi State in October 2014.