MEN'S BASKETBALL
Ravern Johnson, a 6-7, 175-pound small forward from Coahoma County High School in Clarksdale, MS, is a four-star recruit who is rated the 19th best small forward in the nation by Scout.com. Ravern, according to his coach, will sign at his high school at 11 a.m. this morning.
Kodi Augustus, a 6-9, 205-pound power forward who plays for Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, ME, is another four-star recruit for the Bulldog staff. He is rated the 30th best power forward in the nation by Scout.com. Kodi told me Tuesday night that he will sign today, although he wasn't sure of the exact time.
BASEBALL
Brent Brownlee is a 6-1, 165-pound speedy outfielder who plays for Oxford (MS) High School. He was selected to the Gene's Page Mississippi High School Baseball Junior All-State team last season. I wasn't able to get in touch with Brent to find out when he would sign during the early signing day period.
Michael Busby is a 6-1, 185-pound hard-throwing (90+ mph fastball) right-handed pitcher who plays for Porter's Chapel in Vicksburg, MS. He also plays shortstop. During the past two seasons, he has struck out 142 batters in 67 innings. His past honors included 1st Team All-State as a junior, Preseason Louisville Slugger All-American prior to his junior season and a member of the Gene's Page Mississippi High School Baseball Junior All-State team. He is expected to sign with MSU today at 1:30.
Ryan Collins is a 6-2, 195-pound centerfielder/lefthanded pitcher who plays for Rutherford High School in Panama City, FL. He was selected All-County in 2005 and 2006. He recently played in the Florida Diamond Club Elite 100 game. He told me that he will sign with Mississippi State on November 14th.
Cody Freeman is a 6-0, 175-pound catcher/outfielder who plays for West Lauderdale High School in Meridian, MS. Possibly the top power-hitter in the state of Mississippi, Cody hit 16 home runs with 61 RBI last season, while hitting .480. He was a member of the Gene's Page Mississippi High School Baseball Junior All-State team. He told me that he will sign with Mississippi State today at 8:30 a.m.
Paxton Pace is a 5-10, 180-pound shortstop/pitcher who also plays for West Lauderdale High School. At the conclusion of his junior season he was selected All-State. He was also selected to the Gene's Page Mississippi High School Baseball Junior All-State team last year. Like his teammate, Cody Freeman, he will sign with MSU today at 8:30 a.m.
Shawn Marquardt is a 5-11, 180-pound lefthanded pitcher who plays for Carmel High School in Carmel, IN. As a junior, Shawn earned numerous honors including being named Honorable Mention All-State, All MIC Conference, All-County, Indy Star Super Team and Noblesville Daily Times all star team. His career record is 20-0 with a 1.07 earned run average. In 136 innings he has struck out 217 and walked 34. He will sign with MSU Monday, November 13th, at 8 a.m.
Forrest Moore is a 6-3, 190-pound lefthanded pitcher/first baseman who plays for Parkview Baptist High School in Baton Rouge, LA. Forrest is considered one of the top players in the nation. A consensus All-State selection and a Louisville Slugger All-American selected. He told me that he will sign with Mississippi State at 12:30 today.
Tyler Moore is a 6-2, 205-pound outfielder who plays for Meridian (MS) Community College. An excellent power-hitter who was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 33rd round of the June 2006 Major League Baseball Draft, Tyler was chosen to the All-Region, All-District and All-State teams last season after hitting .300 with 15 homeruns and knocking in close to 50 RBI. He is considered an exceptional power-hitter. He is expected to sign at 1 p.m. today.
Lee Swindle is a 6-3, 195-pound righthanded pitcher who plays for Meridian (MS) Community College. He was selected second-team All-State after his freshman season. Like his teammate, he will sign with MSU today at 1 p.m.
Bobby Triglia is a 6-2, 200-pound corner infielder who plays for The Bolles School in Jacksonville, FL. As a sophomore, Bobby, in a backup role, hit .314 with 1 home run, 4 doubles and 6 RBI. He became a starter his junior season and increased his batting average to .450 with 2 homers, 1 triple, 15 doubles and 30 RBI. He told me that he will sign with Mississippi State on November 14 at 10:15 a.m.
Gene Swindoll is the publisher of the Dawgs' Bite, Powered by GenesPage.com website, the source for Mississippi State sports on the Scout.com sports network. You can contact him by emailing swindoll@genespage.com.