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Mississippi State

Lifelong Bulldog Micah Nickerson commits to play for Mississippi State

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•06/22/25•

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micah nickerson
Photo courtesy of Micah Nickerson X

Over the years, Mississippi State has made a living off of players that have flown under the radar and the Bulldogs have another one that could fit that bill in the 2026 class.

South Pike Edge Micah Nickerson has gone about his business down in south Mississippi and Jeff Lebby’s staff stumbled upon him. In June, the 6’5 pass rusher worked out for defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler and outside linebacker coach Vincent Dancy and the coaches immediately dropped an offer on the table.

After spending the last three weeks beaming over that offer, Nickerson came to Starkville for his official visit over the weekend and committed.

“They’ve been checking me out and invited me in on a visit. I always wanted to play for Mississippi State and when I got that offer, that’s where I wanted to be. I’m just ready to play for them,” Nickerson said. “Me and my mom had been talking about it this whole summer and I told her I wanted to come here and graduate high school early so I can go ahead and get there. On Saturday I told the coaches I was ready. I rang the bell and told them I was ready to be a Dawg.”

Nickerson has been waiting for his moment to become Bulldog

The visit itself was an eye-opening one for Nickerson. Despite being a lifelong Bulldog and also getting a chance to camp earlier this month, Nickerson hasn’t been able to see the full scope of the campus and the facilities.

He had a chance to check out everything State had to offer and even had a party at Lebby’s house with the rest of the recruits and their families. The most important part to him, however, was the conversations he had with the people.

“It was great. I saw a bunch of players I played against like (Sanfrisco Magee) and KaMario Taylor and his little brother (Jaiden Taylor). We always played against good competition like those guys and now we get a chance to play together,” Nickerson said.

“The people and the players were my favorite thing and I like how we get along. They have an awesome facility and they’re going to take care of me so I just feel at peace with it all.”

While Nickerson knew several players that were on campus, the coaches went with a new face to host him over the weekend. Former Northern Illinois player Nevaeh Sanders showed Nickerson the ropes and it would end up being a great choice with what the two had in common.

An under-the-radar prospect in his own right, Sanders comes to Starkville after going from junior college and then Northern Illinois before getting an opportunity in the SEC. His perspective gave Nickerson even more excitement for the future.

“He plays Jack (LB) just like me,” Nickerson said of Sanders. I wish he wasn’t a senior so I could play with him. He was just telling me his backstory and it was really similar to mine. At this level, you’ve got to bring it every day no matter what your name is.”

Nickerson is coming off of a dominant junior season at South Pike in which he had 20.0 tackles for loss and 11.0 sacks, but he’s still been a bit of a hidden gem in state. Tulane was the other main competition, but more could be on the way during his senior season.

What makes him so special? His mindset.

“I’m not scared of nothing. It doesn’t matter how big a player looks, I’m not scared of them,” Nickerson said. “Our coaching down here has really made us something special. We’re all getting better at the same time.”

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