Mississippi State football recruiting for 2024 class gains momentum. Who's next big commit?

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football players started to pull their phones out. Others were shouting, trying to ensure they got the matchup their cameras were looking for. As MSU was running one-on-one drills during its Big Dawg Clinic on June 1, it was apparent what the current Bulldogs wanted to see from the potential ones: Four-star defensive back PJ Woodland against four-star receiver Braylon Burnside. They got their wish. Burnside went to the outside. He elevated, appearing to be on his way toward an impressive catch. At the last moment, Woodland leaped to break it up. “We always compete,” Woodland told the Clarion Ledger afterward. “If we can bring it here all together, it sounds cool.” As it often does, that camp has kickstarted momentum on the recruiting trail for coach Zach Arnett and his staff. MSU has doubled the size of its 2024 class, and more additions could be coming. Woodland and Burnside exemplified what is quickly becoming evident with MSU’s potential prospects. While they’re competitors, there’s also a bond between them. When four-star receiver JJ Harrell decommitted from Tennessee on June 5, Burnside was among the first to responded to his tweet. “Let’s do it (brother),” he wrote. “When it all comes together just thank me,” he tweeted shortly after. Recruiting, particularly in the era of social media, is difficult to predict. But it’s evident MSU is in the mix for Burnside and Woodland, among others. Burnside, a Starkville native, has had quite the recruiting process. While his high school quarterback Trey Petty is committed to Illinois, Burnside’s recruitment appears to be coming down to the Magnolia State rivals. Among three 247Sports predictions, two have Burnside to MSU and one has him headed to Ole Miss. “I’ve been telling myself, ‘Why not stay home?’ Home would probably be the best decision for me,” Burnside said. “I’m still going on down the line of what teams I want to visit. As of right now, Mississippi State is the top.” Despite a transition away from a pass-heavy offense like the Air Raid, offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay is implementing a system still worthy of attention from a player of Burnside’s caliber. “They run the same (run-pass option) just like us in Starkville,” Burnside said. “Like high school, it should be no problem understanding plays and stuff here.” Woodland reminded those on Twitter that his recruitment is, “100% open" as of June 12. However, he announced four days prior that LSU and MSU were in his top two. Part of the appeal of MSU for the Hattiesburg native is cornerbacks coach Darcel McBath. Since he joined MSU’s staff in 2020, the Bulldogs have had a pair of corners taken in the NFL Draft – Emmanuel Forbes (first round, 2023) and Martin Emerson (third round, 2022). “He’d help me to develop me to be the best player I can be,” Woodland said.