Bellazar Feels At Home With The Bulldogs
June 14, 2023 | Football
STARKVILLE – Jacoby Bellazar always had plenty of influences growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. With five brothers, a godbrother and a godsister around it was almost inevitable that some of their interests would rub off on Bellazar sooner or later.
Throughout most of his childhood, Bellazar's focus fell towards track and basketball. But before his sophomore year of high school, his godbrother encouraged him to give football a try.
"Ever since then I have loved it," Bellazar said.
But after three years starring at Capitol High School, the talented wide receiver was still without a scholarship offer when his senior football season ended. He was playing his final year of basketball when Southwest Mississippi Community College coach Cliff Collins came through with a scholarship to play football at the next level.
"I had no offers for football, and then one day coach Collins gave me an opportunity," Bellazar said. "He called me and gave me the offer. I didn't even know what junior college football was. They don't have it in Baton Rouge."
It certainly didn't take Bellazar long to figure it out, leading the Bears in receiving during both seasons he played in Summit. As a freshman, he hauled in 37 passes for 623 yards and six touchdowns followed by a 28-catch sophomore campaign that resulted in 515 yards and four more scores in addition to returning kickoffs and punts.
His 18.4 yard receiving average in 2022 ranked fourth in the nation at the junior college level, earning him NJCAA All-Region 23 and first team All-MACCC honors.
As the No. 5 junior college receiver recruit in the country, Bellazar drew scholarship offers from schools across the Southeast and beyond. But there was only one program he had his heart set on, Mississippi State.
"All my life, I liked Mississippi State," Bellazar said. "That was my dream school. I had plenty of other offers but when (MSU) offered me and I came here, it felt like home."
Bellazar – and his pet python – moved to Starkville in January and was able to spend the spring learning Kevin Barbay's offensive system alongside his new teammates. He caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Will Rogers during the Bulldogs' second scrimmage and tied for the White team lead in the spring game with three receptions.
"It was very important getting here in January to meet my teammates, meet my coaches, getting the system and learning the playbook by the time the season comes," Bellazar said. "I am looking forward to getting better and improving on what I need to improve on."
Bellazar's early enrollment also gave him time to settle in and explore his new surroundings and start building bonds with his new teammates and coaches.
"Ever since I've gotten here, it has felt like home," Bellazar said. "Everywhere I go there is somebody greeting me and telling me about good food and night places. The coaches treat me like their son or nephew. All of the players treat me like their brother."
