2026 lineman Emanuel Tucker returns to Starkville for second Mississippi State camp session
New Albany High School’s Emanuel Tucker had enjoyed the past few days of his offseason and rightfully so. The 2026 lineman collected a pair of SEC offers last week and was back at Mississippi State on Friday for his second Bulldog camp session in a span of eight days.
Tucker earned a Mississippi State offer last Thursday following his showing at Top Dawg Clinic. He also added an Ole Miss offer a day later and is drawing other Power 5 interest lately, as well.
“It felt good when Mississippi State offered me first,” Tucker recalled. “I came to their Top Dawg Clinic, showed what I could do and they pulled the trigger on me and offered. Then Ole Miss did the same thing when I went to their camp last weekend.”
Next week, Tucker will continue his summer camp appearances at another Power 5 program. He also noted of other programs that have expressed interest this month.
“Florida State is also showing interest and I will be camping with them on June 12th,” added Tucker. “I have also talked to Louisville coaches and a lot more coaches. I’m also supposed to go to Georgia for a camp but I have to talk to my mom about that and she is handling all of that.”
As a sophomore, Tucker played on both sides of the ball for New Albany and took most of his reps on offense. But he is also starting to get comfortable on the offensive line, as well, at offensive tackle.
“Last year I mainly played defense and I played tight end a little bit,” said the 6-foot-7 and 285-pound Tucker. “It went great and I love playing defense and tight end, and it’s my thing. But lately, I’m starting to get closer to offense and I am liking that, too.”
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And this offseason, Tucker admits he is working mostly on his game at offensive tackle. However, he is drawing looks on both sides of the line at the next level.
“With my game, I am working on offense more,” mentioned Tucker. “I want to do that because I will probably play more on offense this year. So I am working on my leaning and staying on my in-steps. I am being recruited on offense and defense by colleges, though, and some are saying both.”
With Mississippi State, Tucker has also worked on offense and defense within camp drills. He talked of that experience and discussed his enjoyable camps learning from defensive line coach David Turner and offensive line coach Cody Kennedy.
“It’s been good at both of the Mississippi State camps,” Tucker remarked. “I am learning a lot of things I can take with me back home in practice and keep going with it. Coach Turner was tough on me and that’s what I like. I like to be taught tougher. It makes you lock in and pay attention more, and it helps you do the right thing instead of messing up every time.
“I worked on the offensive line at the first camp, though. It was fun being with Coach Kennedy and he’s a father-figure type of person.”
