2025 OT Mario Nash announces his top 10 schools

Over 20 schools have offered DeKalb (Miss.) Kemper County offensive tackle Mario Nash. After developing relationships, taking numerous visits and hosting coaches at his school in recent weeks, Nash is ready to trim his list to 10 schools.

Auburn, Florida State, Georgia Tech, LSU, Miami, Mississippi State, Missouri, Ole Miss, Penn State and USC made the cut.

“It is the way they can help me develop and become the player I want to be,” Nash told On3 about the 10 schools that made his list. ” I like the coaching, the culture, the history and the academic side of things as well at these schools.”

Each school on the list sent coaches by Kemper County in January except for Miami. Mississippi State and USC sent coaches by multiple times. He has visited Florida State six times, Mississippi State five times, Ole Miss three times and Miami once.

He and his family are working on spring visits as he prepares for the final stretch of his recruitment.

“My next step is to take some unofficial visits this spring, narrow my list down a little more, then commit before my senior season. I want to work hard at upcoming camps, take the visits and then be able to focus on my team next season as a commitment.

“I will take my visits, pray about it, ask God for guidance and make my decision. Development is important. How well the coaches develop me on and off the field is big too. It is not just football for me, but about life too. Then I am looking for a brotherhood and where I feel like home at.”

Mississippi State and Ole Miss would like to keep Nash at home

Nash is very familiar with Oxford and Starkville. Since Jeff Lebby took over at Mississippi State, the Bulldogs have made Nash a top priority. He believes in the new staff.

“I like Coach Cody Kennedy and Coach Lebby. I see the vision Coach Lebby has. Coach Lebby has a plan, I like what they are doing and State can be a top-tier team. The new staff is building it up and I believe in them.”

It is all about development at Ole Miss. The No. 13 prospect in Mississippi likes what Lane Kiffin is doing with the Rebels, but it is John Garrison that has Nash’s attention.

“Coach Garrison develops offensive linemen and he does a great job with his players. He had them deep in the Joe Moore award last year and I see what he does and like what he does.”

Nash is looking hard at Florida State and Miami

Nash is from Mississippi and location is a factor, but he has visited Tallahassee more than any other college town. Mike Norvell and Alex Atkins have the Seminoles in a good spot.

“It feels like home at Florida State,” Nash said. “I have been there a lot and I like the vibe and culture. I like what Coach Norvell is doing. He started at ground zero and he is building the program up. Coach Atkins knows what he is doing with offensive linemen too.”

Nahs visited Miami for the first time on Feb. 3. That visit played a role in the Hurricanes making this list.

“I had a good visit. It is not all about football for me, and outside of football at Miami, I like the campus, the people and the academics. I liked the tour and the coaches are down to earth and good people.”