Mississippi State football lands New Albany 4-star OT Emanuel Tucker in 2026 recruiting class
Mississippi State football has a new top commitment in its 2026 recruiting class.
Emanuel Tucker, a four-star offensive tackle from New Albany, committed to the Bulldogs on Tuesday. He announced the decision on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Hail State," he wrote, tagging coach Jeff Lebby's X account with a commitment graphic.
Hail State🐶🐶! @Coach_Leb pic.twitter.com/KbdgpdZBoQ
— Emanuel Tucker (@EmanuelTucker7) February 18, 2025
Tucker picked MSU over offers from Auburn, Florida, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss, Tennessee, Texas A&M and more. Phil Loadholt was hired as the new MSU offensive line coach after the 2024 season.
"I know a lot of people were thinking that I was going to Miami, but me and my family sat down and said staying at home is what is best for me," Tucker told 247Sports. "With that being said, I really appreciate the way that Mississippi State has been recruiting me ever since Coach (Jeff) Lebby showed up. When Coach Loadholt arrived, he immediately started showing me a lot of love. I really feel like he is going to be a coach who helps me develop and be able to make it on the next level."
Tucker is a four star, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. He's measured at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds and is listed as the No. 12 player in Mississippi, the No. 28 offensive tackle and No. 320 nationally.
He's Mississippi State's top commitment so far in the 2026 class, just ahead of Tupelo cornerback Iverson McCoy.
Mississippi State currently has seven commitments in the 2026 recruiting class:
OT Emanuel Tucker
CB Iverson McCoy
ATH Jaiden Taylor
IOL Jakobe Green
WR Camden Capehart
RB Jaeden Hill
CB Camron Brown
MORE: Where Mississippi State basketball stands in updated March Madness bracket predictions
The Bulldogs' 2026 recruiting class is ranked No. 16 nationally, according to the 247Sports Composite. It's the seventh-best class in the SEC.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football recruiting: OT Emanuel Tucker commits for 2026 class
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