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Mississippi State Builds Momentum in Four-Team Race for Top Mississippi Prospect

Four-star safety Trae Collins named Mississippi State in his top four, highlighting the Bulldogs’ push in a competitive in-state recruitment.
Taylor Hodges|
Mississippi State Bulldogs mascot Bully sits on the sideline during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
Mississippi State Bulldogs mascot Bully sits on the sideline during the second quarter against the Texas Longhorns at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

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Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State has been working to capitalize on the coaching change in Oxford, and the latest sign came Thursday when Ridgeland safety Trae Collins released his top four.

The Bulldogs made the cut, and they’ve positioned themselves as a real in‑state threat in a recruitment that once looked like Ole Miss’s to lose.

Collins was committed to Ole Miss before Lane Kiffin left for LSU, a move that shook up the Rebels’ 2027 board and opened the door for others. Mississippi State didn’t waste time stepping through it and are one of the top four schools for Collins along with Ole Miss, Miami and Georgia Tech.

The Bulldogs have been steady with Collins since the fall, and their persistence has kept them in the middle of the race even as Ole Miss worked to rebuild its own relationship.

Collins explained the shift earlier this year.

“I was committed to Ole Miss but I decommitted. It wasn’t just because of Lane Kiffin and it was more about my recruiting coach leaving with Lane,” Collins said to Maroon and White Daily’s Paul Jones. “But when I decommitted they started talking to me a lot more. So we will see how it goes and they are still a top option.”

That quote tells the story from the Ole Miss side, but it also highlights the opening Mississippi State has been trying to take advantage of. When a longtime commit steps back, the in‑state rival always has a chance to make things interesting. The Bulldogs have done exactly that.

Collins is one of the most complete defensive backs in Mississippi. He’s 6‑foot‑2 and 175 pounds with offers from Ole Miss, Arkansas, Miami, Mississippi State and Tulane, among others.

He’s coming off a strong junior season with 65 tackles, 10 pass breakups, three tackles for loss and two interceptions. He also added 233 receiving yards and three touchdowns on offense. Programs don’t often get a second shot at prospects like this, but Mississippi State has kept itself in the picture.

The top four Collins announced includes Ole Miss, Miami, Georgia Tech and Mississippi State. Miami brings national pull. Ole Miss has the hometown ties. Georgia Tech is trying to stay in the fight.

Mississippi State brings the in‑state angle and a staff that has made Collins a priority since the moment his recruitment reopened.

The Bulldogs have been aggressive with 2027 talent, and Collins is one of the headliners. They’ve stayed consistent, stayed present and stayed patient.

Now they’re in a four‑team battle that should stretch deep into the offseason.

For Mississippi State, this is exactly the kind of recruitment where a coaching change across the state can shift the landscape.

The Bulldogs saw the window and pushed. Whether it leads to a finish remains to be seen, but they’ve earned their spot in the race.

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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