2017 National Signing Day: 10 Biggest Names to Know

7. Willie Gay, 4-star OLB (Starkville, MS)

Willie Gay out of Starkville, Mississippi is another recruiting in an SEC recruiting battle. But this time its between Mississippi State and LSU. The Tigers and Bulldogs are just about neck and neck in signing the four-star outside linebacker prospect.

Gay is a 6-foot-2 and 223 pound linebacker rated 73 in the nation, third overall at his position and second overall in the state of Mississippi, according to 247 Sports. The Mississippi native had a very busy senior season, climbing the recruiting ranks and becoming highly sought after in the end. He had 84 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, six sacks, four interceptions and two forced fumbles.

The Ole Miss Rebels had his commitment before the season began after two unofficial visits. But Gay decommitted after he “fell in love with Michigan” after an official visit to Ann Arbor on October 22. Since his visit to Michigan, linebackers and special teams coach Chris Partridge has visited him in Starkville twice on December 5 and January 12. Since that visit, Gay has also gone on official visits to Mississippi State on January 13. And he visited the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge on January 20.

With zero commitments, the Mississippi State Bulldogs seem to be the front runner for Gay by a slim margin for obvious reasons, but we’ll see. Gay said LSU and Ole Miss are his leaders as well. He will make his decision on National Signing Day.