Former Texas transfer linebacker Derion Gullette details Mississippi State decision
Former Texas transfer Derion Gullette spent time on Mississippi State’s campus earlier this week via an official visit. Now he plans to return in January to begin his Bulldog career.
The rising sophomore and former Longhorn linebacker officially signed with Mississippi State on Wednesday. And that decision was heavily related to his relationships with head coach Jeff Lebby and defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler.
“Honestly, it was Coach Hutzler and Coach Lebby,” remarked the 6-foot-3 and 235-pound Gullette. “It was the belief in what Coach Lebby has in store for the defense to turn some stuff around. I called Coach Hutzler this morning and told him the news. So it was a good day.”
The former On3 four-star prospect missed his senior season at Teague (Texas) High School due to a knee injury, which also led to Gullette redshirting at Texas in 2023. This past season the 6-foot-3 and 235-pound Gullette played in five games for Texas and totaled two tackles.
With his new home, Gullette noted that the Bulldogs’ program fits what he was looking for when he entered the transfer portal. Gullette also had official visits scheduled for Ole Miss and North Carolina but ended his transfer process on Wednesday and canceled those visits.
“They really checked off all the boxes on my visit and that stood out,” Gullette added. “They checked the boxes from an educational standpoint, from a players’ standpoint and getting on the field. It was also about the coaches and everybody is real genuine there. It’s a really good family feel when you are there.”
In the Class of 2024, Gullette was rated as the nation’s No. 7 linebacker prospect per On3 and was rated as the nation’s No. 82 overall prospect by On3 rankings, as well. While initially signed as an edge prospect, Gullette has primarily played will linebacker in college and plans to do the same for Mississippi State.
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“We talked about the dime (will) linebacker position,” explained Gullette. “That’s what I played at Texas and it excites me. I didn’t get to see too much action at Texas. So I’m excited to go play and show that I know how to play football and that I can dominate this league.”
And he also enjoyed the feedback he received from Hutzler about his potential in Mississippi State’s defense.
“Coach Hutzler was telling me what he likes in my game,” noted Gullette, a Texas native. “He said he likes my athleticism, my size and he likes that I’m a ballplayer. He knows I’m going to go make plays and that shows me a lot. He trusts me to go make those plays and it shows me I can dominate in the system.”
As noted above, Gullette missed his senior season at Teague (Texas) High School due to a knee injury. But that previous injury is no longer an issue these days.
“I’m 100 percent,” Gullette mentioned. “My knee felt great this past year when I was on the field and when I was at practice. I’m 100 percent and feel great.”
