Mississippi State Announces 2013 Recruiting Class

The Mississippi State Bulldogs have announced their 2013 recruiting classes, which includes a total of twenty players — 16 who committed to the school on National Signing Day.

“We’re excited about this class of young men set to join our program,” head coach Dan Mullen said. “Give credit to our assistants and staff for putting together this collection of talent that will join us in our goal of winning championships at Mississippi State. Our program is built on retention and development and this group will join a dedicated bunch that has already been hard at work building toward the 2013 season.”

Here are the bios for each member of the Mississippi State 2013 recruiting class:

Jeremey Chappelle, WR, 6-2, 212, Tyler, TX (Tyler JC)
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Led Coach Danny Parker and the Apaches, as well as the Southwest Junior College Football Conference, with 60 receptions for 801 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing action in two game due to injury … Named first-team all-conference in the SWJCFC … Played his freshman year for Stephen F. Austin State University hauling in 17 passes for 175 yards … Enrolled at MSU in January 2013 … Rated a four-star recruit by ESPN.com and awarded three stars by Scout.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … Chose Mississippi State in December 2012 over offers from Houston, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, West Virginia and others.

HIGH SCHOOL: Decorated high school player in the rich Texas football ranks… Named the 2009 TAPPS 2-III Co-MVP … Led Brook Hill High School to the TAPPS Division III state championship game, pulling in seven balls for 65 yards … Led the team to the state title game with a five catch 143-yard ball game in the semifinals, pulling in two touchdowns one for 99 yards.

Shelby Christy, WR, 6-3, 190, Geismar, La. (Dutchtown)
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … A consensus top-100 wide receiver in the country … Two-time state champion in track and field … Won the 5A triple jump with a leap of more than 49 feet … Also took the 2012 indoor state title with a 45 feet bound … Considered the 17th best player, regardless of position in Louisiana by 247Sports.com … Louisiana’s #24-ranked prospect overall in the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s postseason Nifty Fifty list … Helped coach Benny Saia and the Griffins to a 9-4 mark his senior season and a trip to the third round of the 2012 playoffs … Caught 39 passes for 663 yards and five touchdowns … Earned All-District 5-5A honors as a senior … As a junior he caught 25 passes for seven touchdowns and 400 yards … Committed to the Bulldogs in August 2012 over offers from Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Houston, Louisiana, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Southern Miss and a host of others.

Jamaal Clayborn, OL, 6-4, 315, Jackson, Miss. (Jackson Academy)
HIGH SCHOOL: The leading offensive line prospect in Mississippi’s private school ranks … Ranked among the first 25 overall Mississippi college prospects in the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion Ledger Top 40 postseason list … Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com … Named first-team all-state in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools by a vote of the coaches … Named second team all-state among all classifications in both public and private schools by the Clarion Ledger … Scout.com ranks him the #17 overall prospect in Mississippi, and the sixth-best offensive lineman … Helped the Raiders to an unprecedented 48-4 record in four years with three consecutive state championships from his freshman year to his junior year … Missed the chance of tying the record of four-straight state championships this season when the Raiders fell in the championship game to Jackson Prep … Won the 2012 Mississippi Class 3A state championship with a shot put toss of 49 feet, seven inches … Committed to Mississippi State in August of 2012.

Tolando Cleveland, DB, 6-0, 170, Powder Springs, Ga. (Hillgrove)
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star prospect by EPSN, Rivals and 247Sports … Named to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Super 75” prospects list … Helped head coach Phillip Ironside’s Hillgrove Hawks to a 6-5 record in 2012 with a first-round loss in the state playoffs … Credited with 81 total tackles and four interceptions as a junior … Helped lead Hawks to a 11-1 record as a junior and advanced to the second round of the state 5A playoffs … Committed to Mississippi State in late January after being heavily recruited by Georgia Tech … Also had offers from Air Force, Navy, East Carolina, Ball State and Rice among others.

Kivon Coman, DB, 6-1, 195, Sheffield, AL (Hargrave Military Academy)
HIGH SCHOOL: Tabbed as the top post-grad safety in the country by 247Sports while being the 29th rated prep player, regardless of position, in the country …Spent past season at prestigious Hargrave Military Academy in post-graduate school after graduating from Florence High School in Florence, Ala … During post-graduate season, recorded 57 total tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced and recovered fumble and tied for the team lead with three interceptions … First signed with the Bulldogs on February 1, 2012 … Recorded 62 tackles, six pass deflections, six forced fumbles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries during his senior season at Florence … Selected to the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic as one of the top players in the state of Alabama, and started at cornerback … Was tabbed as a top recruit in the state of Alabama in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Elite 18 football prospects … Named Second-Team All-State by Scout.com.

Justin Cox, S, 6-3, 190, West Point, MS (East Mississippi CC)
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Speedy defensive back that can help the Bulldogs at either cornerback or safety at the next level … Rated a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com … Considered the second-best safety prospect in the country by 247Sports.com, while earning the 33rd spot regardless of position in the country … Played last two seasons for EMCC and head coach Buddy Stephens … Compiled 11 interceptions in his two season as a Lion with 19 pass breakups … Was second on the team in tackles with 119 adding seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage … Along with a 2011 national championship ring, Cox also garnered several individual honors … Named to the 2012 NJCAA Region 23 First-Team as a defensive back … Enrolled in MSU in January 2013 … Committed to Mississippi State in December 2012 over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Tennessee and a host of others.
HIGH SCHOOL: Signed with Mississippi State with only three other FBS offers … Rated a three-star recruit by Scout.com and the 95th-best cornerback in the country by the same publication … Named First-Team All-State by the Clarion Ledger… Named Class 5A, First-Team All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … Named All-Area by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal … Won two-straight state championships for the West Point Green Wave, playing both offense and defense while also standing out on special teams … Rushed for 1,136 yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season … Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic and Mobile where he started the ballgame at corner… Was named one of three finalists for Mississippi’s Mr. Football.

Kent Flowers, OL, 6-5, 300, Hollandale, Miss. (Simmons)
HIGH SCHOOL: Projected as an offensive tackle at the collegiate level … Top rated offensive line prospect in the state of Mississippi and the No. 5 prospect overall … Rated among the top 40 prospects in the state of Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger … Ranked the No. 8 prospect in the state by 247Sports … Considered the No. 16 prospect regardless of position by Rivals … Named to MaxPreps 2012 All-State team … One of the more coveted offensive lineman in the state, was named to the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen prior to his senior season … Selected to Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic following a strong senior season, and started for his state at tackle … Earned Class 2A first-team all-state honors from the Mississippi Association of Coaches … Played for head coach Antoine Kimble at Simmons … Committed to Mississippi State in June of 2012 over offers from Ole Miss and others.

Donald Gray, WR, 5-11, 180, Memphis, Tenn. (White Station)
HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the No. 10 prospect in the state of Tennessee by ESPN … A top-100 national wide receiver prospect by Scout.com, and a two-way standout for Coach Devin Rutherford at White Station … The Tennessee Sports Writers Association named him first team all-state offense in Class 6A, one of two wide receivers on the first unit … Paced the Memphis high school ranks as a senior in both receiving yardage and touchdown catches … Was a finalist on offense for the Memphis Best of Preps by the Commercial Appeal … As a senior, caught 48 passes for 1,023 yards, an average of 21 yards each time he touched the ball … Finished the year with 15 touchdown receptions … In his final prep game he scored seven touchdowns against Memphis Central; five on receptions, one rushing, and another on a 48-yard punt return … Concluded his high school career playing in the Liberty Bowl All-Star Classic where he caught a 70-yard touchdown pass … Was named first team all-state 6A as a defensive back prior to his senior season by Tennessee High School Football Magazine … As a junior, helped WSHS go 8-5 and advance to the third round of the state playoffs … Was named to the Commercial Appeal Best of Preps 5A-6A Team … Also a track standout for White Station with a personal best clocking of 11.26 for 100 meters, a 22.13 time for 200 meters, and 48.96 in the 400 meters … Chose Mississippi State over offers from Ole Miss, Arkansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, USC and others.

B.J. Hammond, WR, 6-4, 215, Gadsden, Ala. (Gadsden City)
HIGH SCHOOL: Tall wide receiver from the talent-rich Alabama prep ranks … Rated the No. 13 prospect in the state of Alabama regardless of position by ESPN … Also named a top-50 wide receiver from ESPN.com … Hauled in 15 catches for 306 yards and a three touchdowns for Gadsden City High School team as a senior … Named of Alabama’s top 30 prospects by Rivals … Played for head coach Joe Billingsley’s Titans … Caught 39 passes for 639 yards and six touchdowns as a junior … Rated a four star prospect by ESPN … Committed to Mississippi State in June of 2012 over offers from Ole Miss, Auburn, LSU and others.

Dezmond Harris, LB, 6-4, 220, McCalla, Ala. (McAdory)
HIGH SCHOOL: A high school quarterback projected to play defense at the collegiate level … Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com … Tabbed as the No. 38 prospect in the state of Alabama by ESPN.com … Named the No. 97 outside linebacker in the country by Scout.com … Projected as the 35th best athlete in the country and the 38th best player, regardless of position, in the state of Alabama by 247Sports.com … Had an injury-shortened senior season after suffering a torn ACL … Committed to the Bulldogs in July of 2012.

Chris Jones, DL, 6-5, 250, Houston, Miss. (Houston)
HIGH SCHOOL: Considered the nation’s No. 2 overall prospect in the country by 247Sports.com while earning the distinction of being the top-rated player in the state of Mississippi by nearly every publication … No. 1 on the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion Ledger’s Top 10 Most Wanted list … Rated the No. 2 defensive end in the country by 247Sports and Scout.com … Named to the ESPN.com top-150 recruits coming in at No. 46 … ESPN.com rated him the No. 6 defensive end in the country, the No. 25 best player in the southeast and the No. 2 ranked player in the state … Helped lead coach William Cook and the Houston Hilltoppers to their first-ever playoff win and a 11-3 record in 2012 … Led the team in tackles as a defensive end with 160 … Also recorded 14.0 sacks, 10 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and a 74-yard interception return for a touchdown in the second-round playoff matchup with Louisville High School … Recoded 75 tackles and 5.0 sacks during his junior season as a first-year football player at Houston … Selected to the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic to start at defensive end … Recorded eight tackles, a sack and three tackles for loss in the game earning Mississippi’s MVP honors … Also selected to the Under Armor All-American game … Scout.com named him top-performer in the first day of practices leading up to the ball game … Also was invited to but did not participate in the Semper Fidelis All-American game … As a junior, he recorded 75 total tackles with 32 solos, five quarterback sacks … Played just four games as a sophomore, when he had 25 tackles as a backup, 16 of them solo stops … Also worked as an offensive lineman in 2010 … Five-year letterman for the Houston basketball varsity, and averaged 14.8 points as a junior … Named to the Mississippi North/South All-Star Basketball Game for 2011 … Committed to the Bulldogs in June 2012 over Alabama, Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss and a host of others.

Gabe Myles, ATH, 6-0, 180, Starkville, Miss. (Starkville)
HIGH SCHOOL: Talented two-way player from nearby Starkville High … Projected to play in the defensive backfield at MSU … Rated a three-star prospect by ESPN.com, Scout.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … Named the No. 42 best cornerback in the country by 247Sports.com while earning the distinction of being the 7th best player in the state regardless of position … Considered the No. 10 Most Wanted prospect in Mississippi by the Jackson Clarion-Ledger … Led coach Jamie Mitchell and the Starkville Yellow Jackets to a 12-3 record and the 5A state championship … Played on both sides of the ball at quarterback and defensive back … Threw for 1,153 yards and 12 touchdowns while running for 554 yards and nine touchdowns … Made a splash during his junior season leading Starkville to the state championship game and throwing for 1,837 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for a team-leading 849 yards and seven scores … Mississippi Association of Coaches named him the Class 5A Offensive MVP and first-team all-state following his junior season … Named the Starkville Daily News player of the year for 2011 … Started his career playing wide receiver and running back during his sophomore season … Started his senior year on the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen list … Named first-team all-state by the Clarion Ledger following his senior season … Made the MAC’s list for 5A Player of the year and first-team all-state honors … Earned a spot in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic starting at cornerback but also receiving snaps at quarterback … Committed to the Bulldogs in June 2012 over Ole Miss.

Fred Ross, WR, 6-2, 185, Tyler, Texas (John Tyler)
HIGH SCHOOL: Named first team Parade All-American after a standout career at John Tyler … Finished his senior campaign for the Lions with 86 catches for 1,594 yards and 21 touchdowns … Helped Coach Ricklan Holmes and the Lions advance to the Texas 4A state semifinals … Caught 10 passes for 132 yards and a score in the 57-53 loss to Guyer as Tyler finished with a 13-2 record … As a junior, hauled in 99 passes for 1,335 yards and 15 touchdowns … Caught 23 passes for 313 yards and five scores as a sophomore … Rated as a four-star prospect by Rivals, Scout, 247Sports and ESPN … Named to the ESPN 300 and rated the No. 22 prospect in the talent-rich Texas prep ranks … Chose Mississippi State over Oklahoma State, Baylor, Missouri, Texas Tech and others.

Artimus Samuel, TE, 6-2, 227, Columbus, GA (Hargrave Military Academy)
JUNIOR COLLEGE: Rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and Rivals.com … Tabbed as the No. 51 rated prep star in the country by 247Sports.com, while earning a No. 29 ranking in the state of Virginia regardless of position and the third ranked tight end in the country … Spent 2012 season with prestigious Hargrave Military Academy following a solid high school career at Carver High School in Georgia … Caught eight passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns in his one year for Hargrave and coach Troy Davis … Helped lead Carver High School to a 12-2 record and a trip to the Class 2A Semifinals during his senior year … Accumulated 356 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns during his junior campaign … Committed to the Bulldogs, for a second time, in August 2012 and enrolled in classes in January 2013.

Cord Sandberg, QB, 6-3, 215, Bradenton, Fla. (Manatee)
HIGH SCHOOL: Regarded as one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks … Standout in both football and baseball at Manatee High School, and one of the nation’s top baseball prospects … Rated a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and Rivals.com … Member of the ESPN 300, and considered the 9th best dual-threat quarterback in the country and the 45th best player, regardless of position, in the state of Florida … Named to the Rivals 250 list and 24th best player in the state … Led coach Joe Kinnan and the Hurricanes to a near-perfect 13-1 season … Twice nominated for Florida Mr. Football and Class 7A Player of the Year … During his three years as starting quarterback, the Hurricanes were 39-4 playing in the highest classifications in one of the best football states in America … Recorded three-consecutive 2,000-plus yard seasons with 78 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions … As a senior, Threw for 2,674 yards on 186 of 265 passing with a 34-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio …Also rushed for 611 yards on 99 carries and 10 touchdowns … Opened the season in front of a national televised audience on ESPN vs. Miramar High School … Helped lead his team to a state championship during his junior year, throwing for 2,187 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 813 yards and 10 touchdowns … Named first-team all-State by the Associated Press in Class 7A and Offensive Player of the Year … Became starting quarterback during his sophomore year throwing for 2,855 yards with a 75 percent completion percentage and 25 touchdowns to only six interceptions … Rushed for 10 touchdowns and 579 yards … Named Class 7A player of the year following both his junior and senior seasons … Named HTPreps.com Area’s Most Valuable Offensive Player three years in-a-row … On the diamond, he is a fourth-year starter in centerfield and left-handed hitter for the three-time district champions … Played in the 2012 Perfect Game All-American Classic in San Diego, and has been rated the 46th-leading professional prospect of 2013 by Baseball America … His father, Chuck, was an All-American baseball player at Florida … Committed to the Bulldogs in June 2012 over offers from Auburn, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Missouri and Vanderbilt among others.

Ashton Shumpert, ATH, 6-2, 215, Fulton, Miss. (Itawamba AHS)
HIGH SCHOOL: Widely considered one of the state’s top players, could play offense or defense at the collegiate level … Named the 2012 Mississippi Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Mississippi … Named the Offensive Player of the Year by the Tupelo Daily Journal … Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com … Listed as No. 3 on the Jackson (Miss.) Clarion-Ledger Most Wanted List … The No. 20 back in the country by Scout.com … Rivals.com considers him the No. 30 athlete in the country and fourth best prospect in the state … Burst onto the scene his senior year at Itawamba following a four week absence due to sickness, helping the Indians to a 12-0 start before losing to eventual 4A state champion Noxubee County … Rushed 153 times for 1,796, an average of 11.7 yards-per-carry, and 25 touchdowns … Caught 15 passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns while also helping the defensive side with 64 tackles and two interceptions … Spent his sophomore and junior seasons at Tupelo High School where he rushed for over 2,000 yards and 23 touchdowns … Was named Class 6A first-team all-state following his sophomore year … Began his high school career with Itawamba AHS … Was a pre-season member of the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen … Chosen to team Mississippi in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic getting the start at running back … Committed to the Bulldogs in January 2013 over Ole Miss, Alabama, Georgia, Vanderbilt and a host of others.

Jake Thomas, OL, 6-5, 300, Columbus, Miss. (Columbus)
HIGH SCHOOL: Universally regarded as one of the best offensive line prospects in the state of Mississippi … Rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com and 247Sports.com … Named the state’s No. 7 prospect in the Clarion Ledger’s 10 Most Wanted … Was the No. 26 offensive tackle in the country by Scout.com … 247Sports.com considers him the No. 20 offensive tackle in the country and the No. 5 player, regardless of position, in the state of Mississippi … Four-year starter for the Columbus Falcons, becoming a mainstay on the offensive line and quickly rising as one of the state’s top offensive lineman … Helped lead the Falcons to their first playoff berth since 2005 during his senior year … Invited to the U.S. Army All-American underclassmen combine in San Antonio following his junior season … Made the Under-19 Team USA roster following his senior year … Nominated for the U.S. Army All-American game … A member of the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen prior to his senior season … Named Class 6A First-Team All-State following his senior year … Selected as a starter for Team Mississippi in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic … Committed to the Bulldogs in August 2012 over Stanford, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and others.

Brandon Wells, ATH, 6-2, 180, Bogue Chitto, Miss. (Bogue Chitto)
HIGH SCHOOL: One of the most versatile athletes in the Southeast, recruited for both offense and defense … He is a national top-100 safety by Scout.com … Rated the No. 8 overall player in the state of Mississippi, regardless of position, by ESPN … The Clarion-Ledger ranked him in their first 25 prospects on the postseason Top 40 list, and second team all-state defense from all classifications … Chosen by the MHSAA to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game as a safety, and the Mississippi Association of Coaches named him first team all-state Class 1A as an athlete … For his senior season he led Coach Gareth Sartin’s Bobcats to a 13-1 record Region 4-1A title, reaching the third round of the state championship playoffs… Rushed for 1,333 yards and ten touchdowns, averaging 10.2 yards each attempt, and caught 13 passes for 190 yards and two more scores … Was 6-of-12 passing for 70 yards and a touchdown … Took over for an injured starter to quarterback BCHS to a comeback victory over Stringer, running 70 yards for one touchdown … Recorded 35 total tackles with one interception and three passes broken up … As a junior rushed for 1,212 yards and eleven touchdowns, gaining nine yards per carry to earn the second of his three all-state honors … He caught three passes for 61 yards, while compiling 31 total tackles on defense with three interceptions, two more deflections, and a fumble forced … As an all-state sophomore he rushed for six touchdowns and 432 yards, with another touchdown receiving … Had 55 tackles in 2010 with an interception and 58-yard return … Chose Mississippi State over Ole Miss and others.

Damian Williams, QB, 6-1, 215, Metairie, La. (Archbishop Rummel)
HIGH SCHOOL: Highly regarded dual-threat quarterback from the New Orleans area … 17th-ranked prospect in Louisiana, from all positions, in the Times-Picayune Nifty Fifty postseason ratings … Was the play-making quarterback with his arm and legs for an unbeaten Archbishop Rummell team that posted a perfect 14-0 season and earned its first-ever state football championship … Was named first-team all-state in Class 5A by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association … Also chosen all-district 9-5A as a senior, and was a New Orleans Area Player of the Week as both a senior and junior … For his varsity career he threw for 2,748 yards and 26 touchdowns, completing 195 of 324 passes … Also rushed for 23 touchdowns and 932 yards … Playing for Coach Jay Roth, in the state championship game victory over Barbe HS he was 11-of-13 passing for 193 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 52 yards to be named championship game Most Valuable Player … At the Elite 11 summer camp in Georgia he was one of five finalists from 89 quarterbacks for camp MVP … As a junior he earned all-state honorable mention by the LSWA and was Most Valuable Player of District 9-5A, after leading the Raiders to a 10-2 season and the state playoff quarterfinals … Played in the last game with a high ankle sprain but still threw for 300 yards … Earned the starting quarterback job as a freshman and led Rummell to the 2009 state championship game … Committed to Mississippi State in January over offers from Nebraska, Kansas State, Southern Miss and others.

De’Runnya Wilson, WR, 6-5, 215, Birmingham, Ala. (Wenonah)
HIGH SCHOOL: A fast-rising prospect after returning to the football field in 2012 following a two-year absence … Legitimate two-sport recruit by several Division I programs … Emerged in his single varsity football season as one of Alabama’s leading high school receivers … The state’s 16th-ranked overall prospect and the #81 national wide receiver by Scout.com … He led Coach Ronald Cheatham’s team to a 10-2 record and second round of the Class 5A state playoffs … The Dragons were 6-1 and runners-up in Region 5-5A … As a senior he caught 31 passes for 682 yards … Led his squad in touchdowns with seven receiving scores and averaged 21 yards each time he touched the football … Also had five tackles in limited defensive snaps with two for sacks … A dominating power forward on the hardwood for the top-ranked Class 5A WHS team which is playing for a third-straight state championship this season … He was averaging a double/double as a senior and held Division I basketball scholarship offers from Auburn, UAB, Murray State, and other schools … Played in the summer 2012 Alabama North-South All-Star Game where he was named Most Valuable Player … Was named Most Valuable Player of the Peach State Classic with 20 points, 17 rebounds and seven steals in one game … Averaged 13.7 points and 10.9 rebounds as a junior with 67 steals for Coach Cedric Lane as the Dragons went 29-7 en route to a state title … Signed with Mississippi State over offers from Auburn, Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisville among others.