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College  | Story  | 11/10/2022

Head of the Class: No. 7 Mississippi State

Brett Swalve     
Photo: Colin Houck (Perfect Game)
2023 Recruiting Class Rankings | 2023 High School Player Rankings

7. Mississippi State Bulldogs



Full 2023 Recruiting Class
Head Coach: Chris Lemonis | Recruiting Coordinator: Jake Gautreau

Top 5 Recruits:

Rank Name Pos. High School Hometown State
26 Colin Houck SS Parkview Lilburn Georgia
48 Dylan Cupp SS Cedartown Cedartown Georgia
50 Nolan Stevens 1B Franklin Elk Grove California
161 Mikhai Grant RHP Georgia Premier Academy Stockbridge Georgia
208 Rives Reynolds OF Jackson Preparatory Flowood Mississippi



There are some big things happening down in Starkville under Head Coach Chris Lemonis, especially on the recruiting trail. Entering his fourth year at Mississippi State, Lemnois and assistant coach Scott Foxhall have assembled a strong 2023 recruiting class, that rivals those of other SEC powers and powerhouse programs around the country. The depth of this class is outstanding, starting at the top where they feature three guys ranked inside the top-50.

Getting three commitments from inside the top-50 recruits in the country is no small task, but that is exactly what has happened for the Bulldogs in there 2023 class. Colin Houck leads the way at No. 26 for them. Houck is an outstanding athlete that we project to stick on the infield, and more than likely compete for playing time early in his career at shortstop or third base. His tools are so projectable with a lot to like about his frame and athleticism, to pair. Ranked No. 48 in the country is another strong infielder who hails from the state of Georgia, Dylan Cupp. Cupp has long been on the PG scene as he has attended over 100 Perfect Game events and been featured in over 250 articles. Cupp has very good bat-to-ball skills, along with the ability to flash power to either gap when on time and balanced. The former Perfect Game All-American is going to compete for playing time from Day 1 in Starkville.

An interesting player of note in this class is Mikhai Grant, currently ranked at No. 161 in the 2023 class. Grant is an athletic, physical presence on the mound who featured a big fastball and lots of arm speed. Grant comfortably sits in the low-90s, this July he topped at 98 mph, where he really turned some heads with his elite level fastball. He’s not your typical flame-thrower right-handed pitcher who has control issues however; over 14 innings on the mound this year at PG events, Grant has allowed only nine walks compared to 10 hits allowed with 22 strikeouts collected. The delivery is repeatable and there is a huge upside for this young man, should he reach Starkville.

A few guys in this class that might be under looked are Luke Dotson and John “Alex” Walsh. Dotson is left-handed hurler from Marietta, Georgia. He features a low-90s fastball with swing-and-miss off-speed pitches. His curveball has sharp bite to it with huge potential as an out pitch at the next level. Had a really nice performance in Jupiter to cap off his PG career. Walsh is another big-bodied right-handed pitcher who is committed to the Bulldogs. He sits in the low-90s comfortably and attacks hitters early an often, not allowing many walks. I think Walsh will really have a chance to pitch early in his career and given his pitchability traits, I think there will be a spot for him. Both are ranked inside the top-350.

Overall, this class has a lot of potential as it stands now. There could a few guys near the top of the class who get tempted by the Major League Draft come next summer, and have to make the tough decision to sign or to go to college, but in large part this class is going to make a strong impact right away at Mississippi State. Even though there are no top-20 prospects in the class, there are so many impact bats ready to compete right away, that scoring runs shouldn’t be an issue in years to come in Starkville.

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