2025 four-star linebacker Tyler Lockhart breaks down Mississippi State decision
Winona High School’s Tyler Lockhart had his share of SEC opportunities at the next level. But in the end, the 2025 linebacker and On3 four-star prospect felt more comfortable at one particular school.
On Thursday, Lockhart announced his commitment to Mississippi State and became the Bulldogs’ 19th commitment in the class. He joins other linebacker commits in the class that includes juco linebackers Kevonte Henry and LaKendrick James along with Austin Howard, Tyshun Willis and AJ Rice from the prep ranks. Lockhart is rated as the nation’s No. 14 linebacker and the state’s No. 5 prospect by On3 rankings.
“I feel comfortable when I visit there so that was a factor,” said the 6-foot-1.5 and 205-pound Lockhart. “It’s been good with Coach (Jeff) Lebby and he has wanted me to get in the class. He wants me to lead from the front in the Class of 2025. Overall, it’s been good with the new staff and it was a pretty smooth transition. I like their energy they bring to the program.”
Lockhart also held other SEC offers from Auburn, Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss and Tennessee, and has had an interesting journey on the recruiting trail thus far. Lockhart initially committed to Auburn back in May before decommitting from the Tigers a month later. Auburn continued to push to get Lockhart back in the class but Mississippi State also remained firmly in the mix.
“Coach Lebby has been telling me some of the same things the other State coaches were saying,” Lockhart added. “He wants me there and I had a good time around him. He always has the same message for me. He always tells me he wants me to come there and lead from the front.”
Since January, Lockhart has also built a good connection with defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Coleman Hutzler. He’s talked often with Hutzler about his future in Starkville and has a good idea of where he fits into State’s defensive scheme.
“Coach Hutzler has been good to talk to,” noted the 6-foot-1.5 and 205-pound Lockhart. “He says a lot of the same things that Coach Lebby tells me. He likes me as an outside linebacker and he’s been showing me film of his defensive plans during my visits there. It’s been a good relationship so far. He likes me at the dime backer position and that’s where he wants me. I like that spot and I think it would fit me.”
Of course, Lockhart also has family connections on Mississippi State’s roster and that played a role in his college decision. His older brother is Mississippi State freshman offensive guard TJ Lockhart while his best friend Fred Clark is a Mississippi State freshman linebacker.
“A lot of good guys come out of Mississippi State,” mentioned Lockhart. “Plus, it was a big factor that my brother and Fred will be there. I got to visit State with them a lot and that helped me a lot. Those first visits with them helped me to get comfortable on campus.”
And when decision time came around for Lockhart, family was a factor, he admitted. Naturally, the Under Armour All-American evaluated different variables but it was about being comfortable in an atmosphere and making a family-based decision.
“There were a lot of things I had to look at,” Lockhart remarked. “I wanted to look at the people there at the school and see how they treat me. And in the end it was what’s best for me and my mom.”
