Fabian Franklin continues Mississippi State’s in-state recruiting takeover
Mississippi State has now landed four of the top five players in the state of Mississippi.
Clanga!
Who: Fabian Franklin
Position: Running Back
School: Hattiesburg
Rating: 3-star, 5th best player in Mississippi
HUDL
Fabian Franklin announced his commitment to Mississippi State today at the Dandy Dozen photo-shoot in Jackson. The state’s top running back surprised many by committing to the Bulldogs, as State was expected to only take Alabama’s Mr. Football LaDamian Webb at running back in the 2018 recruiting class.
The 5-foot-11 and 200 pound tailback is regarded as the 13th best player at his position across the nation. The Hattiesburg native lists offers from Michigan, Ole Miss, and Tennessee. He joins Webb in what will be an exciting backfield for the Bulldogs in the future.
Mississippi State’s in-state dominance looks to be just starting. Mississippi State already held commitments from the state’s top two players: Malik Heath and Marcus Murphy. After Hugh Freeze abruptly stepped down from Ole Miss last week, Mullen and company have made sure to take advantage.
The Bulldogs landed two commitments at Big Dawg Camp, including Ole Miss target Jaylon Reed. Reed, the state’s top corner according to Scout’s rankings, becomes another huge addition to Todd Grantham’s secondary in Starkville. Fabian Franklin decided he wanted to be the next Mississippi product to join the Maroon and White.
Mississippi State now holds pledges from five Dandy Dozen members: Heath, Murphy, Kwatrivious Johnson, Jett Johnson, and Franklin. The Bulldogs may not be done.
Three other Dandy Dozen members — Oak Grove’s Jaden Crumedy, Callaway’s James Williams, and Olive Branch’s Fabien Lovett — are all considered Bulldog leans.
Crumedy is the third best player in the Magnolia State, per 247Sports. The Oak Grove four-star defensive end also holds offers from Ole Miss and Tennessee, but his Crystal Ball reads 100% maroon. Crumedy would give the Bulldogs the top five players in the state for the 2018 recruiting cycle.
James Williams is another high-level defensive end from the Magnolia. Williams is considered the sixth best in-state player and has been offered by Georgia, Louisville, and Ole Miss. His Crystal Ball sits at 71% Mississippi State.
Fabien Lovett is yet another defensive line prospect that the Bulldogs are hard after. Lovett announced his top-three of Alabama, Ole Miss, and State last month:
His connections with Bulldog commit Jaylon Reed can’t hurt State’s pursuit of landing another Dandy Dozen prospect.
Elsewhere in the state, Mississippi State holds commitments from the state’s eighth best player Esaias Furdge and 23rd ranked Brad Cumbest. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the 2018 recruiting cycle plays out for Mississippi State.
One thing is for sure: This Is Our State.
