2024 OT Kison Shepard decommits from Mississippi State

Somerville (Tenn.) Germantown three-star offensive tackle Kison Shepard has decommitted from Mississippi State, he announced on Sunday.

He was pledged to the Bulldogs since June 12. He also held offers from the likes of Ole Miss, Texas, Florida and Tennessee.

Shepard is the No. 1400 overall prospect in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also the No. 96 OT and No. 45 player in Tennessee.

“First off, I would like to thank the man above, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be in this position. I would like to thank the entire Mississippi State University and coaching staff for the love and support throughout the entire process. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I will be decommitting from Mississippi State and reopening my recruitment to take time with making my decision for my future. Respect my decision,” Shepard wrote.

Respect my decision🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/g9DbPJvW7Z

— Kison Shepard (@kison_shepard) December 3, 2023

Shepard does not currently have an On3 NIL Valuation. The On3 NIL Valuation is the industry’s leading index that sets high school and college athletes’ projected annual value (PAV). The NIL valuation does not act as a tracker of the value of NIL deals an athlete has completed to date. It rather signifies an athlete’s value at a certain moment in time.

Bulldogs trying to hold on to Top-40 recruiting class

As new head coach Jeff Lebby attempts to usher in a new era of football in Starkville, he’s doing what he can to also keep the Bulldogs’ 2024 recruiting class as together as possible. Following the decommitment of Shepard, Miss State’s class now features just 15 commits and ranks No. 34 in the On3 Industry Team Recruiting Rankings.

Headlining the class is Sardis (Miss.) North Panola four-star wide receiver JJ Harrell, the No. 180 recruit and No. 30 wideout in the 2024 cycle. He has since reaffirmed his pledge to the Bulldogs following the hiring of Lebby.

“Coach Lebby is a great offensive coach,” Harrell told On3 after the hiring was announced by the university. “He gets his receivers the ball and his offenses score 40 points per game. That alone should make any receiver in the country want to play for him.”

“I’m excited about the hire and I’m looking forward to next season,” he added in.

Other top commits in the MSU class include: Madison (Miss.) IMG Academy four-star interior offensive lineman Jimothy Lewis, Lexington (Miss.) Holmes County three-star defensive lineman Terrance Hibbler and McCalla (Ala.) McAdory three-star tight end JaCorey Whitted.