2024 WR Mario Craver commits to Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State was one of the first offers for Pinson (Ala.) Clay-Chalkville three-star wide receiver Mario Craver back when he was a sophomore. The Bulldogs were under a different coaching staff then, but his excitement about the program in Starkville always remained.

When new head coach Jeff Lebby took over recently, his interest went to an all-time high. And MSU’s new staff reciprocated. On Sunday after his visit to Starkville, Craver has committed to the Bulldogs.

“Mississippi State has been recruiting me hard since my 10th-grade year,” Craver told On3. “That made a big impact on me too. They have been on me really hard and it started a long time ago. When I dropped my Top 10, they weren’t on the list, but they continued to text me, call me and show that consistency. They stayed on me, they made me feel important and that was a factor in my final decision.

Mississippi State recruited Craver hard

The Bulldogs and their staff have been recruiting Craver since his sophomore year in high school, and he has connected in a major way with wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis. When Lebby made the decision to retain him on his new staff, that was music to Craver’s ears.

“Coach Bump staying on the staff was the icing on the cake because our relationship was already strong enough to where I trusted him and trusted in what he was telling me,” Craver said.

He noted the atmosphere in Starkville and the passion of the fans that support the program — something he said is “great to be a part of” — as just one of the factors of his decision.

“With Mississippi State, I will be able to play football for a great program close to home,” Craver said was another factor. “My family will get to see me play, I have a great opportunity to play as a freshman and I feel I will have a chance to get the ball and make big plays. They have shown they will throw the ball around, they feature receivers in space and that is a great fit for me.”

Chance to play for Jeff Lebby in the SEC was key

Craver also said that playing in the SEC is another major reason to want to play at Mississippi State. He said that playing in the SEC has been a goal of his since he was little, and the great competition one faces week in and week out in that conference is something he looks forward to.

But what especially sold Craver on the Bulldogs was the relationships he’s built with the coaching staff in Starkville. He’s excited about what new coach Jeff Lebby will bring to the program.

“Coach Lebby is a great guy and an even better coach,” Craver said. “I love that he knows that football will take care of itself as long as your off-the-field priorities are right. He definitely made me a priority. Coach Lebby got into Starkville on Sunday, and he was already at my house for an in-home visit on Wednesday.”