One central truth to college football recruiting is that relationships matter. Coaches that are able to find some common ground to dig into, generally do well with the prospects that they are trying to persuade to join their programs. This recruiting cycle, Mississippi State is banking on some connections in their old stomping grounds to pay some big dividends come national signing day.
A pair of offensive line prospects with offers from Mississippi State are being courted by Bulldog assistant coaches who are quite familiar with their high school experiences.
Marietta, Georgia is the home of offensive tackle Cason Henry. A product of Walton High School, Henry recently found out that Mississippi State offensive line coach Mason Miller once walked the same hallways he does every single school day.
“When Coach Miller called me and offered, we talked about 30 minutes before he actually offered,” Henry said. “He talked about going to Walton and the stuff he did when he was there. He knows the coaches. And when I was telling him the teachers that I have, he told me that he had some of the same teachers. We are certainly on the same page.”
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In recent days, a similar event unfolded when the Bulldogs extended a scholarship offer to 2022 offensive tackle prospect Matt Craycraft. While Miller will certainly be a big part of the Bulldogs’ recruiting efforts, it was Mississippi State inside receiver coach Dave Nichol who delivered the good news to Craycraft.
“I got a call from Coach (Dave) Nichol. He started explaining to me that they wanted to offer me, and that when they offer someone, it means they want you which is something I loved to hear, and meant a lot to me. They told me they liked my athleticism, and technique on my film,” Craycraft said. “He then told me he wanted to be the one to offer me, because he attended Jesuit High School when he was in high school as well, and he felt it would be nice for me to talk to a former alum. It was actually a really cool, and smart move by them. I liked that a lot.”
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Craycraft and Henry are approaching a combined 30 scholarship offers. When fishing in deeper waters, recruiters need to have something more than the traditional bait on the hook. It appears that Mississippi State has used some personal connections to make a strong early impression. Now can the Bulldogs build on those early connections? The weeks and months ahead will give all sides a chance to get to know each other better. The Bulldogs have their foot in the door with both highly recruited prospects. Can they slam it wide open?
