Mississippi State is not messing around when it comes to football spring transfer portal recruiting. In fact, the Bulldogs are red hot. After a big week last week, State has opened this week with another portal commitment. Former Akron and Maryland offensive lineman Jayvin James has jumped about the maroon and white express for his next college football stop.
At nearly 6-5 and 310 pounds, James meets the measurements that coaches in the Southeastern Conference are looking for. A product of Blanche Ely High School (FL), James signed on with the Akron Zips as part of the 2023 signing class. James appeared in three games as a true freshman and was able to use that season as a redshirt year.
In 2024, James appeared in a dozen games making nine starts. At season's end, he elected to enter the NCAA transfer portal. He landed at Maryland and spent the summer with the Terrapins before re-entering the portal on April 16th. Over the course of the last two weeks, James has spent some time getting to know Mississippi State. He no longer needs to be persuaded. James is a Bulldog.
"Mississippi State just felt like the right place for me," James said. "They came in and they were everything that I needed them to be. They are everything I need from a scheme standpoint, a coaching standpoint and an environment standpoint. I believe that it is a place that I can step into and thrive."
Just over a week ago, James spent some time in Starkville on an official visit. He felt comfortable on campus and that feeling never left him. In fact, it is one of the main reasons that he chose to join Coach Jeff Lebby's program.
"The thing that really stood out to me was the similarities in what they do and what I do," James explained. "Coach (Phil) Loadholt is great. He's a straight shooter. That was one of the big things to me. He is very detailed in how he critiques his players too. That stood out to me."
Playing at Akron, James got to hear a few things about Mississippi State and Starkville from former Bulldog head coach Joe Moorhead. Now with the Zips, Moorhead had some favorable things to say about State.
"He definitely spoke about the city and how he loved it there," James said. "He didn't want to leave, but he talked about how it is in the SEC and that it's all about winning."
James has three more years of eligibility to work with, so he is a player who could be with the Bulldogs for a longer run than many other transfers. He is the fourth offensive line prospect to join the Bulldog ranks since the spring portal opened. James shares that he is willing to play wherever he is needed in order to help the team.
"I am not exactly sure where they are going to play me," James said. "That's not my job. My job is to come in ready to play and compete. We will just see how it goes from there. I am just ready to go to work. It's all I think about, honestly. It's time to put that foot to the pedal and go compete in the SEC."
