2024 State commit Branden Jennings details enjoyable official visit
This weekend 2024 Mississippi State commitment Branden Jennings got his first in-person look at the Bulldogs’ new staff and new direction of the program. The On3 three-star linebacker from Hinds Community College was among several State commitments on campus for their official visits.
For Jennings, he enjoyed every minute of his time in Starkville along with the opportunity to meet his new coaches. Jennings is rated as the nation’s No. 20 overall juco prospect and the No. 1 juco linebacker prospect by On3.
“Man, it was great,” recalled Jennings. “We had the whole coaching staff come in and they let us know the environment we are headed into. I can really see it in sight after this weekend.
“I was with defensive lineman Trevion Williams and the running back from my junior college, Jeffery Pittman. I made sure he was my host and we were all just chilling.”
When Jennings chose the Bulldogs back in October, he did so to the former State staff on campus. He remained solid with that decision and felt even more confident about his choice after his official visit.
“I was just trusting in the process and I believed we were going to bring in a great coaching staff,” the 6-foot-3.5 and 225-pound Jennings noted. “They did that and showed they are committed to the program, which led to a great weekend for all of us. It was a great atmosphere and we are bringing in some great guys.”
Naturally, Jennings was able to get more acquainted with new Bulldog head coach Jeff Lebby. And he said Lebby relayed his expectations for him once Jennings arrives on campus in January.
“It was great with Coach Lebby,” mentioned Jennings. “It was a great exit meeting and he said they had big plans for me. They want me to come in and hit the ground running.”
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During his stay in Starkville, Jennings also spent quality time with defensive coordinator/inside linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler. And before this weekend, Jennings already knew of Hutzler during Hutzler’s time at Alabama.
“I actually had known Coach Hutzler before I went to junior college,” Jennings explained. “He worked with me at the Alabama camp so we had a previous relationship and I did good at the camp. He told me I have a bright future here and he also told me to hit the ground running.”
With his conversations with Hutzler, Jennings gained some insight to the type of defense Hutzler expects to run at Mississippi State.
“Coach Hutzler wants to use me on the inside on first and second down,” added Jennings. “Then on third down they are going to use me like they did the former linebacker and let me rush and come through blitz packages off the edge. He said he would run some three and some four-down fronts and would have more details later.”
As a December graduate, Jennings will soon make his way back to Mississippi State for a longer stay. He will enroll in January and is eager to get started with his Bulldog career.
“That feels good to know,” Jennings mentioned. “I will be headed back here in a month so it is a quick turnaround. Just getting ready for everything and it’s about to be a really quick turnaround.”
