ESPN College Football Recruiting

Quietly, with many quality prospects again in the Class of 2009, Mississippi continues to be one of the more underrated states on the recruiting trail. Per population, the Magnolia State boasts some of the better overall depth in the Southeast this year.

Mississippi currently has 22 prospects with a quality Scouts Inc. grade of 77 or higher; the more populous Alabama boasts 28.The majority of prospects tend to commit to schools within their borders, and while Mississippi State turned the corner last year, the fact that this state does not boast a perennial top-25 program may be leading to its lack of national recognition.

This year's class is represented by great speed, athleticism and versatility on both sides of the ball and special teams. In the "athlete" category, Mississippi claims four prospects rated in the top 50, led by No. 18 Chad Bumphis (Tupelo, Miss.) and No. 29 Jonathan Banks (Maben, Miss./East Webster). While listed as the No. 18 running back, ESPNU 150 prospect Kendrick Hardy (Monticello, Miss./Lawrence) could just as easily be a top-rated athlete with his good combination of size, speed and measurables to play strong safety or outside linebacker. Fletcher Cox (Yazoo City, Miss.), ESPN's No. 27-rated defensive end prospect, has the quickness, get-off and agility off the edge to develop into a disruptive perimeter player at the next level with some polish.

Chad Bumphis, athlete
Tupelo HS
Considering: Mississippi State, Mississippi, LSU, Florida and Alabama, among others

An electrifying athlete, Bumphis has the speed, quickness and skill set to develop on either side of the ball at the next level, while remaining a major threat on special teams. He is basically a blur on film with his ability to reach top speed almost instantly and cut on a dime.

The only real question college coaches may have is where to play him. Bumphis will most likely start his career on offense with his big-play ability at receiver. The ESPNU 150 prospect is a threat to score every time he touches the football with his excellent vision, acceleration and elusiveness after the catch. But defensive coordinators will fight for his services, with his rare foot-quickness and the burst needed to mirror receivers tightly out of their breaks and limit separation.

He has already been dominant early this season, returning a kick and punt for touchdowns in the same game and hauling in a few touchdown receptions.

"There are great players who are fast and great players who are quick. Chad is fast and quick at the same time," said Tupelo head coach Eric Collins. "You blink and you could miss him."

Our evaluation questioned the true size of this dynamic athlete, but Collins said Bumphis was actually a bit bigger than the listed 5-foot-10, 180 pounds. He did agree that with the increased physicality of the next level, toughness would be an area the shifty skill player would need to improve.

"There are bigger corners at the next level who will press and come up and hit you in the mouth," Collins said. "As a receiver, Chad will be weaker in that area entering college."

Tracy Lampley, running back
Wayne County HS (Waynesboro, Miss.)
Considering: Mississippi State, Southern Miss, UAB, Ole Miss, Auburn

Lampley, currently the No. 2-rated back in Mississippi, might be one of the more highly regarded runners in the Southeast if there weren't concerns about his marginal size. Despite measuring in at just 5-9 and a slight 170 pounds, he is an explosive, decisive back, and seems to run bigger than his listed measurables. His ability to reach top speed quickly and gain momentum through the hole allows him to run with deceptive power, buts it's his determination and aggressive running style that are difficult to measure on paper.

Aside from his strong in-line skills, Lampley has great perimeter speed, lateral quickness and the polished receiving skills needed to move the chains as an outside back. His versatility as a runner masks his lack of size in our opinion; he could be very effective at the next level if used creatively in a spread offense.

Mississippi State, 17 commits (Sept. 16)
Potentially overshadowed by the recruiting success of their SEC rivals, Sylvester Croom and the Bulldogs are building another successful class in Starkville. Eight players at a solid grade of 76 or higher make them deep, and Under Armour All-American RB Montrell Conner (Monroe, La./Ouachita Parish) headlines the class.

Mississippi State has commitments from five top-30 positional prospects, and a few undecided ESPN 150 prospects list it as one of their top schools of interest. Croom needs to right the ship after a 1-2 start to retain all them in our opinion; receiver Pat Patterson (Macon, Miss./Noxubee) decommitted over the weekend.

Ole Miss, 12 commits (Sept. 16)
In his first full recruiting season at the helm, Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt has made some noise by being in the mix for some top prospects, most notably No. 1 RB Jaamal Berry (Miami, Palmetto), who instead chose Ohio State. As of now, Dele Junaid (Fort Bend, Texas/Hightower), ESPN's No. 12 safety, is Nutt's only significant commitment at this time.

The recent success of Mississippi State and Southern Miss on the recruiting trail has created much more competition in-state, but Ole Miss has done a good job recruiting outside its borders in this class thus far.

Southern Miss, 11 commits (Sept. 16)
At this point, the Golden Eagles may not have a committed class measuring up to the one they signed a year ago headlined by ESPNU 150 receiver DeAndre Brown (Ocean Springs, Miss.), but it is still early. Offensive tackle Jonathan Guerry (Columbus, Miss./New Hope) and safety Jerrion Johnson (New Augusta, Miss./Perry Central) are the top-rated prospects on both sides of the ball for Southern Miss, but expect Larry Fedora to close on some big names who slipped through the cracks closer to national signing day.

Apopka, Fla. (2-0) at South Panola-Batesvville, Miss. (3-0), Friday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPNU):
It's been business as usual for South Panola, which stretched the nation's current longest win streak to 78 games with a 40-2 victory over Grenada. The Tigers have outscored three in-state opponents 101-8 but will entertain Apopka, a team considered a favorite in Florida's largest classification (Class 6A). This will be South Panola's stiffest test since the streak began in 2003.

The Tigers are paced by running back Reuben Corley, a Memphis recruit. The Apopka Blue Darters are an experienced team with 15 returning starters, including two all-state players, Michigan-bound QB/ATH Jeremy Gallon (5-9, 170) and linebacker Larvez "Pooh Bear" Mars. Last week, Apopka drilled Freedom-Orlando 57-21. -- Christopher Lawlor

Billy Tucker is a recruiting coordinator for Scouts Inc. and has close to a decade of coaching experience at the college and high school level. Tucker has served as a recruiting coordinator for two nationally ranked Division II colleges. Most recently, he was the associate head coach and defensive coordinator for Merrimack College, which advanced to the Sweet 16 in the 2006 NCAA Division II playoffs.