Skip to main content
Mississippi State

2026 safety prospect Antavius Watts details Mississippi State decision and official visit

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby:Paul Jones•05/31/25•

PaulJonesOn3

antavius watts
Photo courtesy of Antavius Watts

On Saturday afternoon Mississippi State continued to increase the Class of 2026 with its second commitment of the weekend. 2026 safety prospect Antavius Watts announced his decision shortly after leaving his Mississippi State official visit on Saturday.

With Watts’ decision, the Carver (Ga.) High School product becomes the 10th member of State’s Class of 2026. He is also the second safety commitment of the class, joining Tennessee native Kolby Barrett who committed to State earlier this month.

“I just felt like it was the right move,” explained Watts. “I love it down there. It is good people down there and a great city. I wanted to be down there to continue my football career.”

Watts also holds offers from Troy, South Alabama, Coastal Carolina and Georgia State among others. As soon as he started his Bulldog official visit on Thursday, he felt like he was home and wanted.

“I thought the visit went good and I really liked it,” Watts recalled. “The biggest thing was how they treated me and how they wanted me there. I felt welcomed there.”

While on campus, Watts and the other official visitors kept a busy schedule. It even included some time in the kitchen along with a pool part at head coach Jeff Lebby’s house.

“We had a pool party and they also taught us how to cook,” added the 6-foot and 185-pound Watts. “All of that was great and we ate a lot of good food.”

Naturally, Watts also got a glimpse of his future on State’s defense from his conversations with safeties coach Matt Barnes.

“Coach Barnes was the coach I was with the most,” Watts remarked. “We talked about football a lot and he said you got to love football and you got to love the game. We talked about how I fit in their defense and schemes, and I loved it all.”

And Watts also got to bond with several Bulldogs during his official visit. That allowed Watts to gain more insight to what he will experience when he joins those teammates in the future.

“I don’t remember all of their names but I was with a lot of players,” noted Watts. “They showed me around and I had a lot of fun with them. They told me about the program and how it was there.”

With his decision made, Watts does not intend to take any more official visits. And he feels confident about his Saturday decision.

“It feels good to make my decision,” Watts mentioned. “I just felt at home and I really appreciate the way the coaches made me feel on my visit. That all meant a lot to me.”

You may also like