​Kennedy Green’s recruitment has come full circle. The four-star safety from Douglasville, Georgia, Douglas County has committed to Mississippi State, returning to the program he originally pledged to before reopening his recruitment last year.
Green explored his options throughout the spring, taking official visits and giving serious consideration to North Carolina, Purdue, and South Carolina. After weighing every opportunity, he found himself drawn back to where he began. “Once I was able to take all my official visits and talk everything over with my family, it was kind of an easy decision,” Green told Rivals. “North Carolina came hard. South Carolina was still there, and Coach Gray’s track record speaks for itself, but I feel like my heart has been at Mississippi State ever since I committed. Even after I decommitted, I still felt like it was a place where I could play and where I wanted to be.”
Mississippi State never faltered after Green decommitted. Instead, Jeff Lebby and his staff continued to pursue one of Georgia’s top defensive backs with the same level of intensity as before his initial pledge. That steady persistence ultimately won out. “The first thing about why I am back with State is Coach Lebby believing in me. He feels like I can come to Mississippi State and do some great things. Then Coach Arnett came back, and when he was at Mississippi State before, his whole defensive backfield went to the NFL. I’m a fan of history repeating itself, so that’s somebody I’d definitely love to play under.”
Lebby’s approach throughout the process left perhaps the biggest impression. Green described Lebby as genuinely committed from the start. “When I committed, he loved it. When I decommitted, he respected my decision. He told me, ‘I’m still going to recruit you. I still want you to come take your official visit, and I still want to make this happen.’ From that day to this one, Coach Lebby has kept his word the whole time. Who he is had an impact on my decision.” Green visited Starkville roughly 10 times during his recruitment, more than any other school. Every trip reinforced why Mississippi State continued to feel like home. “From the players to the fans, it’s all about Mississippi State in Starkville. The players walk around like celebrities. The fans love them, and they show up on game day with their cowbells. The players are together as one. You never see one without the other, and they have a really strong bond. I definitely love that about Starkville.”
When it came time to make his final decision, Green said one person ultimately set Mississippi State apart from the rest of the field. “I’d say it was Coach Lebby. He sets the example for the whole program.”