January 07, 2019 | Football
by Brandon Langlois, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE โ Fiveย football newcomersย have enrolled at Mississippi State and will participate in spring football practice as the spring semester began on Monday in Starkville.
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The group of early enrollees includes: offensive lineman Charles Cross (Laurel, Miss. / Laurel HS), defensive endย Ani Izuchukwuย (Hendersonville, Tenn. / Davidson Academy) safety Fred Peters (Columbia, Miss. / Jones County JC), offensive lineman LaQuinston Sharp (Columbus, Miss. / East Mississippi CC) and quarterback Garrett Shrader (Charlotte, N.C.ย / Charlotte Christian School).
Cross,ย Mississippi's topย offensive line prospectย for the 2019 signing class, comes to Starkvilleย afterย a standout performance in the All-American Bowl last Saturday in San Antonio, Texas, that helped lead Team East to a victory.
Charles Cross | OL | 6-5, 270 | Laurel, Miss. / Laurel HS
Tough, physical offensive lineman known for his reactive quickness both as a run blocker and in pass protection โฆ A consensus four-star offensive tackle according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN โฆ Listed as the third- and fourth-best recruit in the state of Mississippi by Rivals and 247Sports, respectively โฆ Tabbed as a top-100 prospect nationally by 247Sports (No. 79) and Rivals (No. 81) โฆ Ranked 194th in the country in the ESPN300 โฆ A top-15 offensive tackle in the class per 247Sports (No. 11) and Rivals (No. 12) โฆ Coached by Todd Breland at Laurel โฆ Boasts a versatile skillset and ability to play multiple spots on the offensive line โฆ Received an invite to the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas โฆ Competed in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game โฆ 2018 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selection โฆ Named First Team Offensive Line on the 5A All-State Team by the Mississippi Association of Coaches and earned a spot on the 5A All-Region 3 Team by the Region 3 coaches โฆ Helped Laurel to a 10-4 overall record, which included a 7-0 mark in district play โฆ Anchored an offensive line that helped the offense eclipsed the 40-point mark six times during the season โฆ Committed to MSU on Dec. 9, 2018 โฆ Twitter handle is @CharlesCross67.
Ani Izuchukwuย | DE | 6-4, 225 | Hendersonville, Tenn. / Davidson Academy
A three-star defensive end prospect according to 247Sports and Rivals โฆ Listed a four-star recruit by ESPN โฆ Tabbed as the fifth-best recruit from the state of Tennessee by ESPN โฆ 2017 Tennessean All-Midstate Third Team โฆ Prepped at Davidson Academy under head coach Jonathan Quinn โฆ Totaled 80 tackles over his career, including 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks โฆ As a sophomore, grabbed 16 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and broke up two passes โฆ Collected 23 tackles as junior with nine going for loss โฆ Added four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in just six games played โฆ Helped Davidson to the 2018 Class 2A State Championship โฆ Closed season with 36 total tackles, including 21 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and 20 quarterback hurries โฆ Committed to MSU on April 11, 2018 โฆ Nickname is "King" โฆ Twitter handle is @izuchukwuani12.
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Fred Peters | S | 5-10, 200 | Columbia, Miss. / Jones County JC
One of the elite safeties on the junior college level and a four-star prospect, according to Rivals โฆ Could contribute immediately next season โฆ Listed as the fifth-best junior college recruit from the state of Mississippi by 247Sports โฆย Tabbed as the No. 4 JUCO safety in the country by 247Sports โฆ Listed as one of the top junior college recruits among all positions, ranking No. 31 and No. 47 nationally by 247Sports and Rivals, respectively โฆ Spent the last two seasons at Jones County Community College โฆ. Turned in a solid freshman season, recording 64 tackles, two interceptions and two tackles for loss โฆ Helped the Bobcats to a 10-2 overall record as Jones County advanced to the MACJC Championship Game โฆ Closed the season by leading the Bobcats to a 27-7 victory over Eastern Arizona in the Mississippi Bowl โฆ Ended sophomore campaign with 51 total tackles with 42 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception โฆ Named 2018 MACJC South Division Most Valuable Defensive Back โฆ Added All-Region 23 and First Team All-MACJC South Division honors this past season โฆ Prepped at Columbia High School in Columbia, Miss. โฆ Committed to MSU on Oct. 17, 2018 โฆ Twitter handle is @_ASAPxDON.
LaQuinston Sharp | OL | 6-3, 310 | Columbus, Miss. / East Mississippi CC
Powerful offensive lineman that was a part of East Mississippi Community College's 2017 and 2018 NJCAA National Championship runs โฆ A consensus three-star prospect โฆ Ranked the No. 2 junior college offensive guard by both 247Sports and ESPN โฆ Listed as the No. 23 and No. 24 JUCO prospect in the country by 247Sports and Rivals, respectively โฆ Tabbed the third-best junior college player from the state of Mississippi by 247Sports โฆ Over his two seasons at EMCC, earned the starting job at right tackle โฆ As a freshman, opened lanes for EMCC to rush for 2,335 yards, averaging 194.6 yards per game โฆ EMCC closed the 2017 season averaging 494.1 yards of total offense and 48.3 points per game โฆ Missed most of the 2018 season due to injury, seeing action in just four games โฆ Prepped at nearby Columbus High School in Columbus, Miss. โฆ Originally committed to MSU on Sept. 23, 2018 โฆ Twitter handle is @laquinstonsant1.
Garrett Shrader | QB | 6-4, 210 | Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Christian School
One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation for the Class of 2019 โฆ Displays great decision in the pocket with the ability to make moves with his legs โฆ Listed as a four-star prospect by 247Sports Composite, ESPN and Rivals โฆ Ranked the fourth-best recruit from the state of North Carolina by ESPN and No. 11 in the state by 247Sports โฆ Tabbed the No. 6 and No. 8 player in the country at his position by ESPN and Rivals, respectively โฆ Prepped at Charlotte Christian under head coach Jason Estep โฆ Led the Saints to back-to-back NCISAA Division I Championships in 2017 and 2018 โฆ. Selected as the 2017 and 2018 CISAA Player of the Year โฆ Collected First Team All-State honors โฆ Racked up 9,023 total offensive yards and 107 touchdowns over his prep career โฆ Racked up 6,818 career passing yards and completed 489 of his 743 passing attempts (.658) โฆ Threw for 75 touchdowns in 34 career games played โฆ Tallied 2,205 career rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground as a Knight โฆ Threw for 2,594 yards and 29 touchdowns as a sophomore โฆ Added 615 on the ground with five rushing scores โฆ As a junior, passed for 2,302 yards and 24 touchdowns โฆ Rushed for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns that same season โฆ Closed his senior season with 2,564 yards through the air with 29 touchdowns โฆ Picked up 799 yards on the ground for 17 scores in 2018 โฆ Committed to MSU on April 3, 2018 โฆ Lettered in basketball โฆ Twitter handle is @GarrettShrader6.
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STARKVILLE โ Fiveย football newcomersย have enrolled at Mississippi State and will participate in spring football practice as the spring semester began on Monday in Starkville.
ย
The group of early enrollees includes: offensive lineman Charles Cross (Laurel, Miss. / Laurel HS), defensive endย Ani Izuchukwuย (Hendersonville, Tenn. / Davidson Academy) safety Fred Peters (Columbia, Miss. / Jones County JC), offensive lineman LaQuinston Sharp (Columbus, Miss. / East Mississippi CC) and quarterback Garrett Shrader (Charlotte, N.C.ย / Charlotte Christian School).
Cross,ย Mississippi's topย offensive line prospectย for the 2019 signing class, comes to Starkvilleย afterย a standout performance in the All-American Bowl last Saturday in San Antonio, Texas, that helped lead Team East to a victory.
Charles Cross | OL | 6-5, 270 | Laurel, Miss. / Laurel HS
Tough, physical offensive lineman known for his reactive quickness both as a run blocker and in pass protection โฆ A consensus four-star offensive tackle according to 247Sports, Rivals and ESPN โฆ Listed as the third- and fourth-best recruit in the state of Mississippi by Rivals and 247Sports, respectively โฆ Tabbed as a top-100 prospect nationally by 247Sports (No. 79) and Rivals (No. 81) โฆ Ranked 194th in the country in the ESPN300 โฆ A top-15 offensive tackle in the class per 247Sports (No. 11) and Rivals (No. 12) โฆ Coached by Todd Breland at Laurel โฆ Boasts a versatile skillset and ability to play multiple spots on the offensive line โฆ Received an invite to the All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas โฆ Competed in the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star Game โฆ 2018 Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen selection โฆ Named First Team Offensive Line on the 5A All-State Team by the Mississippi Association of Coaches and earned a spot on the 5A All-Region 3 Team by the Region 3 coaches โฆ Helped Laurel to a 10-4 overall record, which included a 7-0 mark in district play โฆ Anchored an offensive line that helped the offense eclipsed the 40-point mark six times during the season โฆ Committed to MSU on Dec. 9, 2018 โฆ Twitter handle is @CharlesCross67.
ยCharles is long, lean and athletic. He has solid foot speed and quickness. He bends really well and has a bright future at Mississippi State.
- Marcus Johnson, offensive line coach
Ani Izuchukwuย | DE | 6-4, 225 | Hendersonville, Tenn. / Davidson Academy
A three-star defensive end prospect according to 247Sports and Rivals โฆ Listed a four-star recruit by ESPN โฆ Tabbed as the fifth-best recruit from the state of Tennessee by ESPN โฆ 2017 Tennessean All-Midstate Third Team โฆ Prepped at Davidson Academy under head coach Jonathan Quinn โฆ Totaled 80 tackles over his career, including 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks โฆ As a sophomore, grabbed 16 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and broke up two passes โฆ Collected 23 tackles as junior with nine going for loss โฆ Added four sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in just six games played โฆ Helped Davidson to the 2018 Class 2A State Championship โฆ Closed season with 36 total tackles, including 21 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass breakup and 20 quarterback hurries โฆ Committed to MSU on April 11, 2018 โฆ Nickname is "King" โฆ Twitter handle is @izuchukwuani12.
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King Ani is the type of explosive edge player that can be productive in the SEC. He has a lot of play-making ability with a huge upside.
- Brian Baker, defensive line coach
Fred Peters | S | 5-10, 200 | Columbia, Miss. / Jones County JC
One of the elite safeties on the junior college level and a four-star prospect, according to Rivals โฆ Could contribute immediately next season โฆ Listed as the fifth-best junior college recruit from the state of Mississippi by 247Sports โฆย Tabbed as the No. 4 JUCO safety in the country by 247Sports โฆ Listed as one of the top junior college recruits among all positions, ranking No. 31 and No. 47 nationally by 247Sports and Rivals, respectively โฆ Spent the last two seasons at Jones County Community College โฆ. Turned in a solid freshman season, recording 64 tackles, two interceptions and two tackles for loss โฆ Helped the Bobcats to a 10-2 overall record as Jones County advanced to the MACJC Championship Game โฆ Closed the season by leading the Bobcats to a 27-7 victory over Eastern Arizona in the Mississippi Bowl โฆ Ended sophomore campaign with 51 total tackles with 42 solo stops, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception โฆ Named 2018 MACJC South Division Most Valuable Defensive Back โฆ Added All-Region 23 and First Team All-MACJC South Division honors this past season โฆ Prepped at Columbia High School in Columbia, Miss. โฆ Committed to MSU on Oct. 17, 2018 โฆ Twitter handle is @_ASAPxDON.
ยFred is an outstanding football player who shined at Jones County. We expect him to come in and contribute immediately."
- Bob Shoop, defensive coordinator/safeties coach
LaQuinston Sharp | OL | 6-3, 310 | Columbus, Miss. / East Mississippi CC
Powerful offensive lineman that was a part of East Mississippi Community College's 2017 and 2018 NJCAA National Championship runs โฆ A consensus three-star prospect โฆ Ranked the No. 2 junior college offensive guard by both 247Sports and ESPN โฆ Listed as the No. 23 and No. 24 JUCO prospect in the country by 247Sports and Rivals, respectively โฆ Tabbed the third-best junior college player from the state of Mississippi by 247Sports โฆ Over his two seasons at EMCC, earned the starting job at right tackle โฆ As a freshman, opened lanes for EMCC to rush for 2,335 yards, averaging 194.6 yards per game โฆ EMCC closed the 2017 season averaging 494.1 yards of total offense and 48.3 points per game โฆ Missed most of the 2018 season due to injury, seeing action in just four games โฆ Prepped at nearby Columbus High School in Columbus, Miss. โฆ Originally committed to MSU on Sept. 23, 2018 โฆ Twitter handle is @laquinstonsant1.
ยLaQuinston is a thick mauler that can anchor. He has the type of upside that is going to help us." - Marcus Johnson, offensive line coach
Garrett Shrader | QB | 6-4, 210 | Charlotte, N.C. / Charlotte Christian School
One of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation for the Class of 2019 โฆ Displays great decision in the pocket with the ability to make moves with his legs โฆ Listed as a four-star prospect by 247Sports Composite, ESPN and Rivals โฆ Ranked the fourth-best recruit from the state of North Carolina by ESPN and No. 11 in the state by 247Sports โฆ Tabbed the No. 6 and No. 8 player in the country at his position by ESPN and Rivals, respectively โฆ Prepped at Charlotte Christian under head coach Jason Estep โฆ Led the Saints to back-to-back NCISAA Division I Championships in 2017 and 2018 โฆ. Selected as the 2017 and 2018 CISAA Player of the Year โฆ Collected First Team All-State honors โฆ Racked up 9,023 total offensive yards and 107 touchdowns over his prep career โฆ Racked up 6,818 career passing yards and completed 489 of his 743 passing attempts (.658) โฆ Threw for 75 touchdowns in 34 career games played โฆ Tallied 2,205 career rushing yards and 32 touchdowns on the ground as a Knight โฆ Threw for 2,594 yards and 29 touchdowns as a sophomore โฆ Added 615 on the ground with five rushing scores โฆ As a junior, passed for 2,302 yards and 24 touchdowns โฆ Rushed for 791 yards and 10 touchdowns that same season โฆ Closed his senior season with 2,564 yards through the air with 29 touchdowns โฆ Picked up 799 yards on the ground for 17 scores in 2018 โฆ Committed to MSU on April 3, 2018 โฆ Lettered in basketball โฆ Twitter handle is @GarrettShrader6.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."We are very excited that Garrett is our QB in this class. First and foremost he is a winner. In his last two seasons at Charlotte Christian, he only lost one game and won back to back state championships. He's an exceptional athlete that has proven to be equally productive throwing and running the football. He comes from a great family and will make a positive impact here at Mississippi State both on and off of the field."
- Andrew Breiner, pass game coordinator/quarterbacks coach
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