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2027 punter Gunnar Gillentine breaks down Mississippi State decision

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby:Paul Jones•06/02/25•

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Mississippi State has been on the mind of 2027 punter Gunnar Gillentine ever since he started his prep career. Once he got that Bulldog offer at Sunday’s Top Dawg Camp, the Petal High School product didn’t need much time to think over his college future.

Just one day after getting the offer, Gillentine committed to Mississippi State’s Class of 2027 and becomes the second 2027 commitment for head coach Jeff Lebby and the Bulldogs staff, joining On3 three-star defensive back Kennedy Green of Douglas County (Ga.) High School.

Gillentine also received interest from numerous Power 4 programs, he said, and per Kohl’s Kicking, he is listed as the nation’s No. 1 punter.

“It was about Coach (Cliff) Odom and really the whole coaching staff,” Gillentine explained. “They treated me great and I don’t know how to explain it. I was ready to commit when I was there for a spring visit. So when I balled out at the (Top Dawg) Camp and got that offer, I knew that was it. It is just the coaching staff, the stadium, the energy and everything.”

Gillentine obviously felt good about his Top Dawg Camp performance on Sunday, especially since he walked away with the State offer. That offer was also a confirmation of the hard work he has put in on the field.

“It felt good to get that offer,” added the 6-foot and 180-pound Gillentine. “I’m not trying to sound cocky or anything, I’ve put in so much work to this point that it was just a matter of when that first offer was going to happen. When it finally happened, I almost started crying because that is my dream school and the whole coaching staff is cool.”

With his decision made, Gillentine wants to keep striving for more goals. Yes, he got to commit to his dream school but the work is just beginning.

“This is just the start and I have to keep going,” Gillentine remarked. “But it was good to reach that milestone of committing to Mississippi State and my next goal is the NFL. Right now I want to keep staying consistent and keep turning the ball over.”

Looking further down the road, Gillentine is also working overtime in the class room. He is wanting to take the route of graduating high school early in order to begin his college tenure early.

“I am trying to graduate in December of 2026,” mentioned Gillentine. “That is my plan to be there a semester early and be there in January of 2027. It should be a good advantage.”

After spending one season at Niceville (Fla.) High School, Gillentine opted to return to his hometown of Petal. As a sophomore at Petal High School, Gillentine averaged 44.2 yards a punt and put 32 of his 51 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line. Gillentine is the holder for Petal’s special teams, as well.

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