Mississippi State and Ole Miss Locked in a Fierce Battle for Top In-State Offensive Talent — Georgia’s Earnest Greene Looms Large
Recruiting battles in the Deep South are never subtle, but the 2025 showdown between Mississippi State and Ole Miss for the Magnolia State’s top offensive prospect has turned into an all-out war. The prize? Jalen “Jet” Hargrove, a 6-foot-6, 310-pound offensive tackle out of Starkville High School, widely regarded as a generational trench talent with the potential to anchor an SEC line for years. But this isn’t just a tale of two in-state rivals — Georgia’s All-SEC lineman Earnest Greene has entered the picture as both mentor and looming influence, adding intrigue and intensity to an already heated race.
The Battle for Jet
Hargrove, nicknamed “Jet” for his freakish foot speed and agility despite his size, has become the hottest commodity in Mississippi football in nearly a decade. Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin and Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby both have made Hargrove their top recruiting priority. Kiffin sees him as the blindside protector of his up-tempo air raid, while Lebby is selling the chance to be the hometown hero who rebuilds the Bulldogs’ front from the ground up.
Hargrove has remained diplomatic — publicly, at least. “Both schools are showing me a lot of love,” he said at the Under Armour regional camp. “It’s hard to say no when your whole family wears maroon, but I’ve got a lot of respect for what Coach Kiffin is building too. I’m just trying to figure out where I fit best.”
Georgia’s Shadow: Enter Earnest Greene
While Mississippi’s two giants duke it out, there’s an unexpected variable quietly shaping the outcome — Earnest Greene III, Georgia’s All-American left tackle and potential top-10 NFL Draft pick. Greene and Hargrove connected during an unofficial visit to Athens in March, and sources say Greene has taken a personal interest in mentoring the young tackle.
“He sees a lot of himself in Jet,” one SEC recruiting insider said. “Similar build, same nasty streak. Earnest didn’t have a big brother in the game when he was coming up — now he wants to be that for Jet. And trust me, Jet is listening.”
While Georgia hasn’t made an official offer yet, the Bulldogs are monitoring the situation closely. If Greene pushes Kirby Smart to make a move, it could tilt the scales nationally.
What’s at Stake
For Ole Miss, landing Hargrove would be a statement that Kiffin isn’t just recruiting nationally — he can still win the wars at home. For Mississippi State, it’s about pride and power: keeping Starkville’s crown jewel from donning rival colors. For Georgia, it’s a chance to pluck a franchise tackle right from under the noses of two bitter rivals and continue their dominance in the trenches.
As summer visits approach and decision day looms, this battle is only heating up. And with Earnest Greene whispering in the wings, the outcome might not just shape Mississippi football — it could shake the SEC for years to come.
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