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Three-star Defensive Lineman Says He Likes Mississippi State More Than Ole Miss

Mississippi State gains early momentum over Ole Miss for fast-rising 2027 DL Yahzeen Zion, who has an official visit set for June.
Taylor Hodges|
Desert Edge Scorpions Yahzeen Zion (93) jumps over Marshawn Coleman (9) to get to the ball during a game against the Millennium Tigers at Desert Edge High School in Goodyear on Oct. 31, 2025.
Desert Edge Scorpions Yahzeen Zion (93) jumps over Marshawn Coleman (9) to get to the ball during a game against the Millennium Tigers at Desert Edge High School in Goodyear on Oct. 31, 2025. | Diannie Chavez/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State picked up a small but meaningful win in its rivalry with Ole Miss this week, and it came from a 6‑5, 265‑pound defensive lineman who had never played football until last fall.

Goodyear Desert Edge standout Yahzeen Zion just wrapped up a seven‑school swing through the South with three of his younger teammates, and the trip gave him a clearer picture of where things stand.

He saw Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, LSU, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Texas A&M, and he left with a new offer, a few potential officials and one quote that will land well in Starkville.

“I actually liked Mississippi State better than Ole Miss for sure and I am going back for an official visit to Mississippi State,” Zion said to On3’s Brandon Huffman. He already has that visit locked in for June 19‑21.

For a program trying to build traction in the 2027 class, that’s the kind of early feedback you take every time. Especially when it comes from a player whose recruitment has exploded in less than a year.

The tour started at Georgia Tech, where the Jackets offered and put themselves in position for an official. Georgia followed, and the Bulldogs reinforced why they offered him back in January. Auburn did the same, giving him another strong visit after jumping in with an offer earlier this year.

The Mississippi swing came next. Ole Miss got its look, but Mississippi State clearly made the stronger move. Zion didn’t dance around it, and that kind of clarity is rare in early spring.

From there, he headed to LSU, where he watched the defensive line work and came away impressed with the competition level and the setup in Baton Rouge. Texas A&M closed things out, and the familiar faces helped. Former Desert Edge players Cam Hamiel and Jamar Beal‑Goines were around, and Zion said the Aggies had one of the nicest facilities he has seen so far.

The list of potential officials is starting to take shape.

Mississippi State is already locked in. Georgia Tech is in the mix. Auburn and Georgia are under consideration. And while Oklahoma wasn’t part of this particular trip, the Sooners remain firmly in the picture.

Arizona State is still involved too, though Zion admitted he’s looking more seriously at opportunities outside the West.

All of this is still new to him. A year ago, he was a basketball player who had never lined up on a defensive front. Now he’s sorting through SEC and Big 12 options and planning a summer decision.

“I think I’m set to make a decision in summer,” he said.

Mississippi State will get its shot before then, and after this trip, the Bulldogs have every reason to feel encouraged.

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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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