Mississippi State University head coach Jeff Lebby is recruiting heavily in offensive players, leaving less focus on the defensive side. His approach is the opposite of last year’s head coach Zach Arnett, who was Mike Leach’s defensive coordinator.
Lebby has been known for creating some of the top offenses during his career at Oklahoma, Ole Miss and UCF. His offenses tend to rack up yards and points on the scoreboard.
Since becoming the offensive coordinator for UCF in 2019, Lebby has coached five individual 3,000-yard passing seasons and four individual 1,000-yard receiving seasons. In 2020, Lebby led the Ole Miss offense to first in the SEC and No. 3 nationally with 555.5 yards per game, followed by another stellar 2021 season where Ole Miss ranked No. 6 nationally with 492.5 yards per game.
A coach with this kind of success knows how to recruit well, constantly looking ahead. Lebby has managed to pull top recruits even when results on the field don’t always reflect the team’s potential. For example, despite some tough losses, Mississippi State recently landed a commitment from Class of 2026 running back Damarius Yates of Kemper County High School in De Kalb, Mississippi. Yates, a top 100 national recruit, highlights Lebby’s ability to bring in elite talent, regardless of the immediate results.
Looking at the 17 committed prospects, only five are from Mississippi, which means MSU is gaining a good portion of players from out-of-state. This diversity leads to a broader talent pool for Mississippi State, enhancing the program’s potential. This recruitment success is not only due to Lebby’s reputation but also thanks to the efforts of cornerbacks coach Corey Bell and wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis.
Bell, from Miami, Florida, brings 30 years of coaching experience at both high school and college levels. He has proven to be one of the best secondary coaches in the country, having spent time at Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida, UCF, and the University of Miami. His connections in Florida have boosted MSU’s chances of signing players from the state.
Mississippi State already has two committed players from Florida for the 2025 class—Sekou Smith Jr. from Miami and Lo’Kavion Jackson from Lynn Haven. Bell even helped secure top defensive prospect Elijah Cannon, a cornerback from Coconut Creek, Florida, for the 2024 recruiting class.
In addition to Bell’s influence, Bumphis also brings a great name to the program. An alumnus of Mississippi State, Bumphis’ connection to the university and his understanding of the culture give him a unique edge when recruiting in-state prospects. His status as a former Bulldog resonates with local recruits and their families, fostering a sense of trust and familiarity. This deep connection to Mississippi State makes it easier to relate to and attract in-state talent who want to continue the tradition. This was proved when class of 2024 wide-receiver Braylon Burnside, a native of Starkville, recommitted thanks to Bumphis’ relationship with his family. Bumphis not only promotes the program’s values but also serves as a role model, having been in their shoes and now succeeding as a coach.
Bumphis’ experience at Utah, where he helped secure two Pac-12 championships and two Rose Bowl appearances, adds significant recruiting weight on a national level. In his first season at MSU, Bumphis helped create career seasons for Tulu Griffin, who set personal bests in receptions (50), yards (658) and touchdowns (4). He also helped Zavion Thomas achieve an outstanding sophomore season with 500 yards, 40 receptions, and his first career touchdown. Bumphis’ ability to develop players has led to even more recruiting success, including a commitment from four-star wide receiver Ferzell Shepard from Baton Rouge, one of the top prospects for the 2025 season.
Lebby’s recruiting classes are on the rise and will be something to continue watching as he builds a team capable of competing at the highest levels of the SEC.
