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2026 tight end Zayion Cotton details Mississippi State decision

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby:Paul Jones•06/22/25•

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Zayion-crop
2026 WR Zayion Cotton (photo credit: Cotton Twitter)

Over a year ago Mississippi State extended an offer to 2026 tight end/receiver prospect Zayion Cotton and it was the first offer for the On3 three-star prospect. That feeling stayed with the Grenada High School and led to Cotton committing to the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Cotton was one of several instate targets officially visiting Mississippi State this weekend and he exited campus as the Bulldogs’ latest commitment. Cotton is rated as the nation’s No. 26 tight end and the state’s No. 20 prospect by On3 rankings.

“Mississippi State was my first offer,” remarked the 6-foot-5 and 205-pound Cotton. “They’ve always been with me from the start and they always stayed in touch with me and my family.”

Cotton also held other Power 4 offers from Ole Miss, Arkansas, Auburn, Miami, Florida State, Vanderbilt and N.C. State. Earlier this month Cotton also officially visited N.C. State.

He noted of his official visit experience and naturally, the highlight of the weekend was joining head coach Jeff Lebby’s class.

“Man, I enjoyed it all,” Cotton recalled. “My favorite part was ringing that bell after my photo shoot. That was a cool deal. On my visit Coach Lebby and Coach (Jon) Cooper both told me I was a main priority to the team and to them.”

As a junior at Grenada High School, Cotton totaled 48 catches for 700 yards with six touchdowns. At the next level Cotton will look to be versatile in Lebby’s offense and discussed his role this weekend.

“They see me playing receiver and tight end,” noted Cotton. “I think being a tight end is mismatch against linebackers and nickels. If I need to go play wideout, I can do that and it is nothing new to me.”

With his recruiting process concluded, Cotton now shifts his attention to his final high school campaign this fall. He helped his team capture the school’s first-ever state championship in football last season.

“It feels great to be committed,” mentioned Cotton. “It feels great to know I am home.”

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