STARKVILLE — The streak of verbal commitments continued Tuesday for the Mississippi State University football program.
Kailo Moore, the Magnolia State’s top rated running back according to numerous recruiting services, committed to the Bulldogs. Pinson Clay-Chalkville (Ala.) High wide receiver DeAndre Woods give MSU 10 commitments for the 2013 season.
“It is just the love I feel when I’m here,” Moore said. “The coaches are always happy to see me, and the fans are always glad to see me and wanting me to come here.”
The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder rushed for 1,470 yards with 19 touchdowns last season to help his team to a 15-1 record and a Class 2A state championship. He averaged 6.8 yards per carry and had more than 100 yards in eight games with only two fumbles.
Moore worked with MSU assistant coaches Tuesday morning prior to making his commitment to MSU coach Dan Mullen.
“I ran a 4.34 in the 40 (yard dash) and I pulled up about five meters away,” he said. “My hamstring was hurting or I would have done an excellent job today. I did get to work with coach (MSU running backs coach Greg) Knox, (and) I like him a lot when I’ve talked to him over the phone getting to know each other. It was good to get to work with him today.”
Moore, a former University of Mississippi commitment who re-opened his
recruiting due to the Rebels’ coaching change, is rated the 12th-best running back in the nation, according to Rivals.com. He also is one of the nation’s fastest timed players and is rated the second-best prospect in the state of Mississippi.
Moore was MSU’s second of three commitments Tuesday. The commitments of Moore, Starkville High athlete Gabe Myles, and Pinson Clay-Chalkville (Ala.) High wide receiver DeAndre Woods give MSU 10 commitments for the 2013 season.
Woods participated Saturday in the MSU football team’s camp sessions.
“With the five senior receivers leaving it’s a good opportunity,” Woods said. “I just want to go to a college where I can play as a freshman and play hard.”
Both commitments are non-binding and don’t become official until a recruit signs a letter-of-intent in February.
At 6-3, 205 pounds, Woods showed the size and strength MSU coaches are looking for at the position, which gave him the confidence he needed to end his recruiting process.
“It was a good experience (coming to Mississippi State),” Woods said. “I learned a lot from (wide receivers) coach (Angelo) Mirando, and hopefully he can teach me some more stuff.”
Woods picked MSU over the University of Arkansas, Auburn University, Purdue University, the University of Southern Mississippi, the University of Southern California, and Vanderbilt University.
Rivals.com rates Woods as a three-star prospect and the No. 53 wide receiver in the nation for the Class of 2013. They also listed him as the No. 15 rising senior in the state of Alabama in their spring evaluations.
Woods had 36 catches and 10 touchdowns and was a 2011 Birmingham News All-Metro first-team selection last season. The Alabama Sports Writers Association also named Woods an honorable mention to the Class 6A All-State football team last December.
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