Mississippi
What Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby said of national signing day additions
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football elected to go an offensive route when hiring former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby as its coach in November to replace Zach Arnett. So it comes as no surprise that Lebby’s first signing class finished with the addition of a wide receiver.
MSU added two players during national signing day on Wednesday. The first was defensive lineman Josaiah Knight, a former Illinois signee, who is a three-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.
Second was wide receiver Sanfrisco Magee, a three-star prospect who MSU flipped from Ole Miss in December. Magee joins an impressive group signed by Lebby and receivers coach Chad Bumphis. Mississippi State added three four-star prospects − JJ Harrell, Braylon Burnside and Mario Craver − at the position during the early signing period before adding Magee.
The Bulldogs have the No. 28-ranked class nationally and No. 14-ranked class of 16 SEC teams.
Here’s what Lebby had to say about his two final signees.
Jeff Lebby on DL Josaiah Knight
Knight is the No. 39 edge rusher in the country and the No. 597 player overall. He’s a product of Tallahassee, Florida, where he attended Gadsden County High School.
“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Josaiah Knight to the Bulldog family,” Lebby said in a school release. “He’s an explosive athlete and playmaker whose best football is in front of him. He will be a terrific addition to our program, and we look forward to getting him to campus.”
MEET MSU’S SIGNEES: Mississippi State football recruiting class 2024
Jeff Lebby on WR Sanfrisco Magee
Magee is an in-state product, coming from McComb where he attended McComb High School. He’s the No. 22 player out of Mississippi and the No. 108 wide receiver in the country.
“We’re fired up to add another versatile playmaker to our wide receivers room in Sanfrisco Magee,” Lebby said. “He’s a Mississippi kid and a tremendous talent with all the tools to have an outstanding career in Maroon and White.”
Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.
Mississippi
Family of Mississippi teen Nolan Wells demand investigation into son’s death
JACKSON COUNTY, Ms. (WZTV) — The family of a Mississippi teenager whose body was found after he went missing Fourth of July weekend is now demanding answers.
On Friday, Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump , Rev. Al Sharpton and the family of Wells are holding a press conference to demand an investigation into the teen’s death.
Wells’ body was reportedly found Monday in the water near the end of Horn Island in Jackson County, Mississippi.
Rev. Sharpton opened the conference by stating there are too many unanswered questions to close the investigation into Wells’ death. He says Wells, who is Black, went on a boat with three white men, who returned with Wells’ phone and keys, but not Wells.
“We we’ve been told does not make sense,” Rev. Sharpton said. “There’s just too many questions where they should not be closing the investigation. This does not smell right.”
Attorney Crump leading an independent investigation into Wells’ death.
Investigators are asking anyone who was on or near Horn Island on July 4 to come forward, especially if they saw Wells, spoke with him, heard or saw any type of disturbance or have original photos or videos from the island.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department Criminal Investigations Division at 228-769-3065 during regular business hours or 228-769-3063 after hours.
This is a developing story. Check back as we continue to update this story.
Mississippi
Mississippi Highway Patrol deployed to Goodman after viral gun video, leaders explain goals
GOODMAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers to the Town of Goodman indefinitely following a viral video showing people waving guns and mocking the absence of police in the town.
DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell and other department leaders flew into Goodman on Thursday to meet with town officials. Tindell said the video drew the attention of both himself and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We felt like there needed to be a presence of law enforcement in Goodman to send a message,” Tindell said. “That it’s not a town or any town in Mississippi that we’re going to allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Troopers conducting stops, working alongside sheriff’s office
Since Wednesday, troopers have been stopping drivers in downtown Goodman and in neighborhoods. Tindell said the Mississippi Highway Patrol is working alongside the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation.
“It’s more regular law enforcement duties at this point,” Tindell said. “You know, we’re looking at individuals in the video to ask who they were and go from there.”
Tindell said MHP deployments to towns across the state are not uncommon, and include safety checkpoints, driver’s license verifications and insurance verifications.
“So that’s not unusual anywhere on any given day,” Tindell said. “We just happen to be in Goodman because they needed additional help at that time.”
Mayor supports presence; some residents question it
Mayor Michael Howard said he supports MHP’s increased presence in the town. However, resident Keni El questioned whether the deployment was necessary.
“It really doesn’t change anything because if the people they’ve seen on the video are who they came for then that’s who they need to be looking for,” El said. “Because in a way, it’s kind of harassing the people for stupidity of some younglings.”
El said leaders should instead focus on providing resources to mentor young people.
“The youth need to be taught the right knowledge, right wisdom, right understanding,” El said. “But I’m not going to be afraid of no child.”
Tindell said he is unsure how long state troopers will remain in Goodman but will stay in contact with town officials until a departure date is determined.
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Mississippi
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