State signee LaKendrick James eager to begin Bulldog gridiron career
2025 Mississippi State signee LaKendrick James capped off his junior college career several weeks ago. Naturally, the On3 three-star linebacker was hoping for more success during his stay at Copiah-Lincoln Community College.
But overall, the Mississippi native did develop and mature in his junior college career, and became a consistent player for the Wolves’ defensive attack. James is rated as the nation’s No. 1 juco linebacker and the No. 13 overall juco recruit by On3 composite rankings.
“It didn’t go as I wanted it to go,” James recalled. “Our team was really young this year and we just never got it going well. But we won our last game of the season so it was good to go out with a win.”
This past season, James totaled 36 tackles and led the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (3). He also had three PBUs, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He was also pleased with his progress in pass coverage, as well, and wants to keep adding more weight to his frame.
“I feel like I got better in some areas,” added the 6-foot-3 James. “I was better at rushing the passer and also dropping back in coverage a little bit. Now I want to keep working on my speed getting off the edge. I’m at 250 pounds now and that’s where Mississippi State wants me to be with that weight.”
James officially signed with Mississippi State last month and is set to enroll at Mississippi State in January. Now he’s just counting down the days before he starts the offseason workouts with his new teammates.
“I just want to go in and handle my business,” James remarked. “I want to make sure I do right and play well on the edge. I want to be a dog for them and just handle my business and handle what I can control.”
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Of late, James has also been in regular talks with Mississippi State’s staff. Most of those conversations have centered around what to expect when he arrives on campus next month.
“The coaches at Mississippi State are just ready for me to get there,” noted James. “I really talk to the whole staff and I like how they all stay in touch with me. We talk about what to expect in January and what I need to get done when I get there.”
And for James, his childhood dreams are about to be a reality. During his prep days at Northside High School, his top goal was to play at Mississippi State. And now he’s about to embark on that journey in the SEC.
“Man, it’s going to be great,” James mentioned. “Mississippi State has been my dream school since I was a kid. Now it’s getting real since I’m about to be there. So I just want to handle my business and get things done.”
