Mississippi
Four-star RB Damarius Yates decommits from Mississippi State football in 2026 recruiting class
Mississippi State football signed members of its 2025 recruiting class on Wednesday but on Friday lost its top commitment in the 2026 class.
Damarius Yates, a four-star running back from Kemper County, decommitted from MSU on Friday night. He announced the news with a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Thanks to Mississippi state coach’s and staffs for taking there chance on me during my recruitment but Mississippi state is not the place for me,” he wrote.
Yates had been committed to the Bulldogs since September and was their top commitment of the five-man class. He did not announce a commitment to a different team.
Damarius Yates 247 ranking
Yates, measured at 5-foot-9, 179 pounds, is a four-star, according to the 247Sports Composite Ranking. He’s ranked at No. 74 nationally, the No. 6 running back and No. 4 in Mississippi.
MSU has one other running back commitment in the 2026 class in Tupelo three-star Jaeden Hill.
Mississippi State football recruiting class 2026
The Bulldogs have four commitments for the 2026 recruiting class as of Sunday.
Where Mississippi State ranks in the 2026 team recruiting rankings
The Bulldogs’ 2026 recruiting class was ranked No. 21 nationally before Yates’ decommitment, according to the 247Sports Composite.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.