2026 quarterback Michael Johnson discusses Mississippi State decision
Mississippi State had some fireworks of its own on July 4th with another addition to the Class of 2026. On Thursday afternoon, 2026 quarterback and On3 three-star prospect Michael Johnson announced his commitment to the Bulldogs and became the fourth 2026 commitment for head coach Jeff Lebby.
The 6-foot-1 and 165-pound Johnson joins fellow State commits in the Class of 2026 in running back Jaden Hill of Tupelo, receiver Kenny Darby of Airline (La.) High School and defensive back Iverson McCoy of Tupelo. Johnson is rated as the nation’s No. 15 quarterback and the state’s No. 23 prospect by On3.
The Dutchtown (Ga.) High School standout initially gave State his commitment last week before going public on Thursday. He also held offers from Cincinnati, West Virginia, Purdue, UCF and South Florida among others.
“I called Coach (Matt) Holecek last week and I took a visit there about a month ago,” Johnson explained. “I told him then that Mississippi State as home. I talked to Coach Lebby, too, and they were really excited. Coach Lebby said if this is what I want to do, then he wants me focused on Mississippi State and not other schools. And I told him I was ready to do that.”
Johnson got his first look at State’s program in April via an unofficial visit. And it didn’t take him long to feel comfortable on campus around State’s coaching staff.
“It was just the environment,” added Johnson. “When I first got there it felt like home right away and it felt like family. They welcomed open arms to me and my family. Plus, I think the offense really fits me well.”
And with Lebby’s offense, Johnson has taken notice of the new talent Lebby and company have added to that side of the ball since arriving in Starkville. Now he’s excited to join that kind of talent in Starkville in the future.
“It’s a great offense,” Johnson remarked. “It’s going to be a fun offense. They are getting new players and new athletes all around on that offense. They will continue to get great players and I’m glad to be their quarterback in the offense.”
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In particular, Johnson has full trust in Lebby and his offensive capabilities. He is also ready to improve his game with Lebby’s advice in the near future.
“Coach Lebby knows what he is doing,” noted Johnson. “He’s been running that offense for so long and he’s been highly successful. He can tell me things I need to improve on now to help me get ready for his offense.”
As a sophomore, Johnson had mixed feelings about last season due to several close losses. But he did feel optimistic about what the offensive side of the ball was able to do a year ago.
“Last season was a little rough,” recalled Johnson. “We lost two games by one point and two other games by one touchdown. But it was fun and the offense put up numbers every game. But it was rough on the defensive side. I was making sure I needed to do to help the offense and getting the ball to where it needed to be.”
Johnson is on track to be an early high school graduate in order to enroll at Mississippi State in January of 2026. And now he can put his recruiting worries in the past.
“It means that I can say I have a home now,” Johnson mentioned. “I am fully committed to Mississippi State’s program. So I don’t have to worry about other schools now or other choices with their quarterbacks.”
