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2025 offensive tackle Breyden Turnage breaks down Mississippi State decision

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby:Paul Jones11/27/24

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Breyden Turnage (photo credit: Turnage Twitter)

The previous month on the recruiting trail has provided a few twists and turns for 2025 offensive lineman Breyden Turnage. But on Wednesday and fresh off a Mississippi State official visit, the On3 three-star prospect made one last turn.

The Dyersburg (Tenn.) High School produced flipped his commitment from Memphis to Mississippi State, becoming the 21st commitment for head coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs’ class. Turnage is also the third offensive lineman to commit to State over the past couple of days, joining juco transfer Saquon Miles and Alabama native Spencer Dowland.

“When Mississippi State offered me, it definitely made me think more about my future,” mentioned Turnage. “So that’s when I started to think more about my future. So it feels good to have this opportunity.”

Turnage is still relatively new on the gridiron, as well. He has played basketball and baseball for much of his prep career at Dyersburg. But his senior season was his first year to play football. Once he got some games under his belt, he began to receive serious interest from the next level. Along with Memphis and Mississippi State, Turnage also collected offers from Ole Miss and Florida State.

“It is my first year to play football,” Turnage explained. “At first I didn’t think I would like it. But I really enjoyed it more and more as the season went along and I started to pick up more offers. So now I’m looking forward to continuing my career in college.”

Turnage has taken multiple trips to Starkville this year in order to get a better feel for the program. Then this past weekend Turnage officially visited Mississippi State and felt at home once again.

“My official visit was magical,” Turnage recalled. “They treated me like their own and I had a really good time. I really enjoyed taking the photos and putting on the uniforms.”

Turnage also got a good glimpse of what hard work can produce at his position via his player host. Turnage was paired with another Tennessee native during his official visit and a fellow offensive lineman.

“My host was Luke Work,” remarked the 6-foot-8 and 285-pound Turnage. “He’s a down-to-earth guy. He is a guy you can be around every day. I can tell he’s a strong worker and he’s just down to earth. He said nothing good things about Mississippi State. He said you got to have that drive and work ethic. Obviously, he has that since he is starting as a true freshman.”

During his talks with Lebby, Turnage learned more of his opportunity in the SEC. That also included his time with offensive line coach Cody Kennedy.

“Those were really good talks with Coach Lebby and Coach Kennedy,” added Turnage. “They went through everything and told me what they were offering me, which was a full ride. They talked about their plans for me and it all sounded great.”

And once Turnage began to exit his official visit, he started to shift his focus to playing for the Maroon and White. One factor behind that decision was the honesty he experienced from State’s staff during those conversations.

“So those were good talks and I felt like that’s where I wanted to be,” Turnage said. “During my visit I got to sit in on the Oline meetings, like two or three of them. I could tell Coach Kennedy is a good coach. He’s not bluffing anything and he’s straight forward with everything. So I want to play for coaches like that.”

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