Highly-touted South Alabama transfer running back Fluff Bothwell commits to Mississippi State
Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs’ offense got a nice Christmas Eve gift on Tuesday. And hopefully it is the gift that keeps on giving in the fall.
On Christmas Eve, former South Alabama transfer running back Fluff Bothwell announced his intentions to transfer to Mississippi State. The Alabama native is rated as the No. 3 transfer running back in this cycle by On3 rankings and is coming off a productive true freshman season for the Jaguars.
The 6-foot and 230-pound Bothwell had 111 carries for 832 yards and 13 touchdowns this past season and also had 13 catches for 92 yards. This month Bothwell collected numerous Power 4 offers and took official visits to Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Arizona and Cincinnati. His trip to Starkville took place this past Saturday and Sunday.
“I’ve been up there before and it was a good visit,” recalled the 6-foot and 230-pound Bothwell after his State official visit. “I like their coaching staff and they’ve got a good staff. We got to tour the facilities and see what they have to offer. We looked at what they have to offer from a recovery standpoint with their training staff. I thought that visit helped Mississippi State.”
One factor for Bothwell was the opportunity to be the bellcow in Mississippi State’s ground game in 2025. And being in Lebby’s offense where the running backs are featured often was also a selling point.
“It was great with Coach Lebby,” added Bothwell. “He’s an awesome guy. We got to look at his offense and he basically runs the same offense I just came from. So it’s an offense I’m used to. They really put a hat on needing a No. 1 running back so that stood out to me, also.”
Also during that visit, Bothwell was intrigued by the versatility coaching style of State running backs coach Anthony Tucker. As a whole, Bothwell was also drawn to the bonds of State’s coaching staff and personnel.
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“It went good with Coach Tucker, too,” added Bothwell. “I like that he has coached other positions. It would be good to be coached by someone who has also coached quarterback and receivers, and a guy that has been offensive coordinator, too.
“Overall, I like the bond they have with their coaches. They’re gonna coach you hard but they also have that togetherness and that bond with their players. I like that.”
The winter transfer portal window closes on December 28th but players can still make decisions and sign with schools during the dead period. The open period for official visits resumes on January 5th.
Looking at Mississippi State’s remaining needs on offense, the Bulldogs still want to add a couple of receivers and possibly another offensive lineman.
