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Former Virginia transfer offensive lineman Blake Steen details Mississippi State decision

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby:Paul Jonesabout 8 hours

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NCAA Football: Virginia at Pittsburgh
Nov 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; The Virginia Cavaliers offensive lineman Blake Steen (54) and running backs Davis Lane Jr. (25) and Xavier Brown (0) celebrate with fans after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Former Virginia transfer offensive lineman Blake Steen has a long family history of producing solid SEC football players. On Thursday, Steen opted to follow that same path as his dad and his older brother (Tyler Steen).

As reported by On3, Steen committed to Mississippi State and did so just a couple of days after officially visiting Mississippi State. Steen also officially visited Colorado this past weekend. Steen has one season of eligibility remaining and started 17 games during his career at Virginia.

“It felt like home,” explained the 6-foot-5 and 331-pound Steen. “It was about their coaching staff and it feels good to make my decision. It just felt like the right place for me to be, in the SEC. Since I was a kid, I always wanted to play in the SEC. My dad and my older brother played in the SEC and now I get that opportunity.”

Steen recapped his Bulldog official visit earlier this week with Maroon and White Daily. He was able to hear more details about the program from head coach Jeff Lebby and Phil Loadholt.

“It was a good visit,” Steen noted earlier this week. “I got to see the staff and be around some of the players. One of my former high school teammates played there last year, too, Marlon Martinez, and he talked well of Mississippi State. I talked to the quarterbacks, the offensive line coach and watched some film.”

Then of course, when Steen delivered Thursday’s news, Lebby and Loadholt were thrilled with Steen’s decision.

“Coach Loadholt and Coach Lebby were excited,” Steen added. “They were really happy about my decision to come there. Coach Loadholt likes my size and my length at offensive tackle and that I am a physical player. He believes I am a good fit for the offense and I can’t wait to get started.

“I do think it would be good opportunity to be in the SEC and I would have a good chance to be successful there.”

Steen also had a good impression of Mississippi State offensive line coach Phil Loadholt. While breaking down film during his visit, Steen also believes Loadholt wants the best from his players, on and off the field.

“Coach Loadholt was good to talk to and be around,” added the 6-foot-5 and 331-pound Steen. “He seems like a great and he seems like a guy that cares about his players. Coach Lebby is cool, too. He is a former offensive lineman so he is an OLine guy. So we connected well.”

With Steen’s decision, he becomes the second transfer commitment for State in the spring transfer portal. Former Purdue offensive lineman Jaekwon Bouldin committed to the Bulldogs earlier this week.

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