Former Tennessee WR Commit JJ Harrell Commits To Mississippi State

The Tennessee Volunteers lost four-star wide receiver JJ Harrell from their 2024 recruiting class last week. Harrell opened up his recruitment after recently getting medically cleared from an off-season leg surgery. Harrell felt he rushed into a decision when he committed to the Vols in February and decided to back off his pledge.

The Mississippi native was being actively courted by the in-state programs, Mississippi State and Ole Miss. The Bulldogs separated themselves, pitching him on a path similar to that of wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis. Bumphis is another Mississippi native that stayed home and had a productive four seasons with the team before spending a brief stint in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, and Jacksonville Jaguars. The two have developed a strong connection, ultimately pushing Mississippi State across the finish line. Harrell spoke with On3 about that relationship and how the Bulldogs plan to employ him. "It’s crazy because I have a relationship with everyone on the staff, but I’m very close with Coach Bump, he’s a Mississippi guy, and he understands where I come from. They are using me as a playmaker; they are going to use me everywhere in the offense because they know I can make plays. All I need is the football."

Harrell is an active recruiter, something Tennessee fans should know well. He has already taken to social media to begin recruiting 2024 four-star wide receiver Braylon Burnside, but there are several other targets he may be after. 2025 four-star quarterback Deuce Knight has an existing relationship with Harrell, with Knight being a premium target for the Vols in 2025.

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