Mississippi State head football coach Dan Mullen announced 23 football signees today. The balanced 2012 signing day class includes 11 players projected primarily on the defensive side of the ball, 11 offensive players and one specialist.

Nelson Adams, 6-3, 289, Dt, Brandon, Miss. (Brandon Hs)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … The 45th ranked player at his position by 247Sports … Ranked inside the Top-25 list of players in his state by Rivals, ESPN and 247Sports … Named the 11th-best player in Mississippi by the Clarion Ledger … Led his team to the Class 6A North State semifinals … Recorded 81 tackles his senior season, including 18 behind the line of scrimmage … Also credited with six sacks, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, including one returned for a touchdown . . . Chose Mississippi State over Ole Miss and others.

PERSONAL: Born Nelson Jamaal Adams on Feb. 16, 1994 in Brandon, Miss …Son of Lonnie and Darlene Adams … Brother Tyler plays basketball for Georgetown … Also has a brother named Fletcher.

Quadry Antoine, 5-9, 211, S, Belle Chasse, La. (Belle Chasse HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … Ranked the 24th-best safety prospect and the No. 12 overall player in the state of Louisiana by ESPN.com … Played both sides of the ball for Belle Chasse, leading his team to the first round of the Class 4A playoffs … Tallied 74 tackles (39 solo), including nine tackles for loss during his senior season … Recorded 22 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups, two fumble recoveries (one for a touchdown), two sacks and one interception … Also ran for 159 yards and six touchdowns on 24 carries on offense . . . Chose Mississippi State over Arkansas and Southern Miss.

PERSONAL: Born Quadry Rahib Antoine on July 14, 1994 in Belle Chasse, La. … Son of Wilfred and April Antoine.

Devon Bell, 6-2, 185, K, Vicksburg, Miss. (Warren Central HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Scout.com and ESPN.com … Named First-Team High School All-American by Sports Illustrated … Chosen First-Team All-State by the Clarion Ledger and Mississippi High School Coaches Association … Averaged 4.63 seconds of hang time on 49 punts his senior season, averaging 42.1 yards per punt with a long of 63 yards and 15 placing inside the 20-yard line … Had 28 of his 32 kickoffs reach the end zone for touchbacks and was perfect on all 18 of his point-after tries … Made four field goals, including a career-long 55 yarder through the uprights against Jim Hill … Participated in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game, where he connected on a 30-yard field goal … Also played third base for WCHS, where he hit .293 and had a perfect fielding percentage as a junior . . . Chose Mississippi State over Auburn, Ole Miss and Florida State.

PERSONAL: Born Devon Bell on July 4, 1993, in Vicksburg, Miss. … Son of Bart and Dawn Bell.

Torrey Bell, 6-5, 230, DE, Kenner, La. (John Curtis Christian HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … Rated the No. 33 overall player in the state of Louisiana by 247Sports… In the Class 2A State Championship Game, was credited with nine tackles and a sack … Accumulated 72 total tackles his senior season, including 21 behind the line of scrimmage … Of those 21, 16 of them were sacks, including one safety … Named to the Class 2A Defensive First Team by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association … Chose Mississippi State over Southern Miss, Auburn and LSU.

PERSONAL: Born Torrey Emanuel Bell on July 14, 1993 in Kenner, La… Son of Ron Bell and Celeste Dale … Has two siblings, Akira and Tatiana.

Beniquez Brown, 6-1, 209, LB, Florence, Ala. (Florence HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a four-star prospect by Scout.com, 247Sports and ESPN . . . Scout.com ranked him as the 20th best OLB in the nation . . . Ranked the #11 prospect in the state of Alabama by ESPN and 247Sports . . . Rivals ranks him as the 17th best player in the state of Alabama . . . Standout athlete that played at running back and linebacker at Florence High School . . . Rushed for 2,375 yards and scored 37 touchdowns on the ground his senior season . . . Recorded 210 tackles his last two seasons at Florence HS at the linebacker position . . . Chose Mississippi State over Ole Miss, Arkansas, Tennessee, Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, among other programs.

PERSONAL: Born Beniquez Jacoi Brown on April 29, 1993 . . . Son of April Brown.

Frederick Brown, 6-0, 175, WR, Jackson, Miss. (Jim Hill HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … Ranked the No. 25 overall player in Mississippi by Rivals … Named a Top-40 collegiate prospect by the Clarion Ledger … Finished with 419 total receiving yards and five touchdowns on 23 catches his senior season … Also returned 20 kickoffs for 380 yards and carried the ball once for 19 yards … Made three tackles and picked off one pass on defense . . . Chose Mississippi State over Memphis and Ole Miss.

PERSONAL: Born Frederick Brown on Dec. 1, 1993 in Jackson, Miss. … Son of Ronnie and Janie Brown.

Richie Brown, 6-2, 225, LB, Long Beach, Miss. (Long Beach)

HIGH SCHOOL: Named 2011 Parade All-American … A four-star recruit by Rivals.com and a highly ranked prospect by Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … Ranked inside the top 20 of his position nationally by all four recruiting services … Rated the No. 4 prospect in the state of Mississippi … Named to the Clarion Ledger's Dandy Dozen and Top-40 collegiate prospects list … Named the 5A Defensive Player of the Year following his senior season … Participated in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Credited with more than 200 tackles his senior season . . . Chose Mississippi State over Stanford, LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Ole Miss among others.

PERSONAL: Born Richard Brown, Jr. on April 15, 1994 … Son of Richard and Melissa Brown.

Ryan Brown, 6-4, 240, TE, New Orleans, La. (Archbishop Shaw HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … Rated the No. 79 defensive end in the country and the 24th overall player in the state of Louisiana by ESPN.com … Amassed 39 total tackles (8.5 TFL), 6.5 sacks and 22 quarterback hurries during his senior season, while also breaking up two passes and recovering a fumble . . . Chose Mississippi State over South Florida, Colorado and Pittsburgh.

PERSONAL: Born Ryan Brown on June 10, 1994 in Marrero, LA… Son of Ryan and Angelita Brown.

Cole Carter, 6-5, 280, OL, Caledonia, Miss. (Caledonia HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star recruit by Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports …Rated the No. 72 offensive lineman in the nation by Scout … Rated the No. 19 overall player in the state of Mississippi by ESPN.com and 13th by the Clarion Ledger … Also named First-Team All-State by the Clarion Ledger … Placed on the Class 5A All-State First Team by the state coaches association … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Played guard his senior season and graded out at 88 percent … Also played tight end, where he caught three passes for 38 yards and a score … Played left tackle and tight end his junior season, as well as offense and defensive line his sophomore campaign … Chose Mississippi State over Alabama and Ole Miss.

PERSONAL: Born Cole Carter on Aug. 24, 1994 in Caledonia, Miss… Son of Steve and Christi Carter.

Kivon Coman, 5-11, 185, DB, Sheffield, Ala. (Florence HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com and 247Sports … The No. 82-rated athlete in the class of 2012 and No. 25 by Scout in the state of Alabama … Named to the All-State Second Team by Scout as well as honorable mention All-State and All-Area by the Alabama Sports Writers Association … Credited with two tackles in the 2011 Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Tallied 62 tackles, four interceptions, six pass breakups, six forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries his senior season … Chose Mississippi State over Tennessee and South Florida.

PERSONAL: Born Kivon Coman in Sheffield, Ala… Son of Shaquita Coman.

Devon Desper, 6-3, 300, OL, Madison, Miss. (Madison Central HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … The fourth-best center and 10th-best player in the state of Mississippi in the class of 2012 according to ESPN … Rated one of the top lineman prospects by Tom Lemming of Maxpreps … Started at center for the Under Armour All-American Game in Orlando in January 2012 … Named to the All-State First Team by the state coaches association and Clarion Ledger …Started at center in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Graded out a 92 percent blocker with a total of 126 pancake blocks, blocking for a rushing attack that averaged 330-plus yard on the ground per game … Made it to the 6A North State title game his senior season … Prior to his senior campaign, participated in the Army All-American combine … Also competed for the MCHS track team, where he threw discus … Chose Mississippi State over Ole Miss and Alabama.

PERSONAL: Born Devon Desper on June 16, 1994 in Madison, Miss… Son of Tommy and Christen Despers.

Deonte Evans, 5-10, 190, RB, McComb, Miss. (McComb HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … Ranked the 11th-best prospect in Mississippi and No. 53 at his position nationally by Rivals.com … Named a Top-40 collegiate prospect by the Clarion Ledger … Earned Second-Team All-State honors as an all-purpose players by the Clarion Ledger, as well as Class 5A First-Team All-State recognition on defense as a senior … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Played running back, slot and split receiver, quarterback and inside and outside linebacker his senior campaign … Ran for 911 yards and 13 touchdowns on 156 carries (5.8 YPC), while catching 11 passes for 83 yards … Also tallied 58 total tackles with eight sacks, two recovered fumbles and a blocked field goal … Four of his eight sacks came in a late-season victory over West Jones that earned MHS a playoff spot … Rushed for 365 yards with a 7.5 yards-per-carry average his junior season, along with three receiving touchdowns … Also totaled 14 tackles and a sack … Ran 18 times for 147 yards and a score during his sophomore campaign, while also collecting 79 tackles and an interception … Played basketball for MHS as well . . . Chose State over Ole Miss, Memphis and Louisiana Tech.

PERSONAL: Born Deonte Lamar Evans on April 7, 1994, in Summit, Miss… son of Gregory and Rosamond Evans.

Xavier Grindle, 5-10, 185, RB, Columbia, Miss. (East Marion HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … The 24th-best running back prospect in the country according to 247Sports … Ranked the No. 10 best player in Mississippi by Rivals … Rushed for 2,103 yards and 18 scores his senior season on 240 carries … Had seven catches for 176 yards and one touchdown … Also threw a 10-yard touchdown pass … As a kick/punt returner, had four kickoff returns for 240 yards and two touchdowns and two punt returns for touchdowns … On defense, had 22 tackles and seven interceptions… Was named a 2011 Dandy Dozen by the Clarion Ledger… Selected Mississippi State over LSU, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and others.

PERSONAL: Born Xavier Grindle on Sept. 26, 1992 in Columbia, Miss… Son of Sandra Grindle.

Brandon Holloway, 5-7, 165, WR, Tampa, Fla. (Alonso HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: A three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … The 42nd rated athlete in the country according to Rivals.com … Named Third-Team All-State … Ran for 904 yards and 10 touchdowns on 134 carries his senior campaign, while also catching 19 passes for 304 yards and seven touchdowns … Starred on special teams as well, returning three kicks of 158 yards and a score … Tallied four tackles, two blocked punts and a fumble recovery on defense . . . Also had offers from Vanderbilt, Arizona State and Colorado State.

PERSONAL: Born Brandon Holloway in Tampa, Fla… son of Anthony and Wanda Holloway.

Nick James, 6-4, 330, DT, Long Beach, Miss. (Long Beach HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: One of the top prospects in the Mississippi prep ranks . . . Rated a four-star recruit by Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … Ranked the No. 11 defensive tackle prospect in the country by 247 Sports, as well as the fourth-best player in the state of Mississippi … Named to the Dandy Dozen by the Clarion Ledger … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Totaled 62 tackles (seven for loss) and a sack his senior season … Made 33 tackles as a junior with three sacks, two forced fumbles and two pass breakups … Attended the Orlando Under Armour spring combine prior to his junior season, as well as the Army All-American Combine in San Antonio … Participated in shot put and discus for the LBHS track & field squad . . . Chose Mississippi State over LSU, Florida, Arkansas, Auburn, Ole Miss and others.

PERSONAL: Son of Gertha and Steven James.

A.J. Jefferson, 6-2, 245, DE, Summit, Miss. (North Pike HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: A four-star recruit by 247Sports and a three-star prospect by Rivals.com, Scout.com and ESPN.com … Named to the Dandy Dozen by the Clarion Ledger … Rated the sixth-best player in the state by Rivals.com … Made over 400 tackles and sacked the quarterback 40 times his final three varsity seasons … Named All-State twice by the state coaches association … Earned First-Team All-State honors by the Clarion Ledger following his senior campaign, where he posted 110 tackles and 12 sacks, while also catching four balls for 81 yards at tight end … Played in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game, where he totaled two tackles for loss, including a safety … Named the Class 4A Defensive Player of the Year by the M.A.C. his junior year as well as First-Team All-State … Recorded 144 tackles, 19 sacks, six forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and two blocked field goals his junior season … As a sophomore, was credited with 148 tackles, 11 sacks, three forced fumbles and a blocked field goal … Also played goalie for his school's varsity soccer squad … Chose Mississippi State over Ole Miss and Southern Miss.

PERSONAL: Born A.J. Jefferson on March 3, 1993 to parents Melinda and Anthony Jefferson.

Cedric Jiles, 5-10, 170, CB, Clinton, Miss. (Clinton HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, Scout.com, ESPN.com and 247Sports … Ranked the 16th-best player in Mississippi by 247 Sports … The No. 47 best corner prospect in the country according to Rivals.com … Earned First-Team All-State honors by the Clarion Ledger and state coaches association … Made four tackles in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game … Was credited with 27 tackles (one for loss), one interception, two forced fumbles, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries and a touchdown his senior season … On offense, caught four passes for 23 yards and ran 16 times for 88 yards, while also returning six punts for 72 yards on special teams … Totaled 25 tackles, five pass breakups, one interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery during his junior campaign … Participated in the Army All-American Combine in the summer of 2010, where he was clocked at 4.38 in the forty-yard dash … Tallied 33 tackles and two interceptions his sophomore campaign … Also ran track in high school, where he finished third in the state championship meet in the 100-meter dash his junior year . . . Chose Mississippi State over Southern Miss and Ole Miss.

b>PERSONAL: Born Cedric Jiles on Dec. 8, 1993, to parents Cynthia and Cedric Jiles Sr.

Adarrius Perkins, 6-1, 207, TE, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Forrest County Ag HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Three-star prospect by Scout.com and Rivals.com . . . Rated the 12th best prospect in the state of Mississippi by Rivals.com . . . The 58th best athlete in the nation by Rivals.com . . . Led Coach Larry Dolan's team to the District title with a 5-0 record, and to the second round of the State 4A playoffs with a final 11-2 record . . . As a defensive back he had 44 total tackles, 21 of them solo stops, while intercepting one pass and breaking up three others . . . Rushed 31 times for 193 yards with six touchdowns and caught 22 passes for 475 yards and six more scores . . . As a junior he compiled 70 total tackles and intercepted five passes, returning one for a touchdown . . . On offense he caught 20 passes with two touchdowns, and he returned both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown . . . Named first-team All-State in Class AAAA as a kick returner by the Mississippi Association of Coaches . . . Selected by the state coaches for the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Game, working at both safety spots and rover linebacker . . . Multi-sport athlete in high school, playing basketball, baseball and running track . . . Chose Mississippi State over Southern Mississippi, Ole Miss and others.

PERSONAL: Born Adarrius Terraile Perkins on Jan. 6, 1994 . . . Son of Vanessa Perkins and Ellis Smith.

Will Redmond, 5-11, 170, S, Memphis, Tenn. (East HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a four-star recruit by Scout.com and Rivals.com . . . Rated the seventh best prospect in the state of Tennessee by 247Sports . . . The 21st ranked safety prospect by Rivals.com . . . Played on both sides of the ball for East High School . . . Totaled 1,355 yards passing, rushing and receiving his senior season, along with 18 total scores . . . On the defensive side, he totaled 51 tackles and four interceptions . . . Returned nine kickoffs his senior season for 318 yards and two touchdowns . . . Chose Mississippi State over Notre Dame, Ohio State, Tennessee and other programs.

PERSONAL: Born on Dec. 28th, 1993 . . . Son of Vanessa Brown.

Artimas Samuel, 6-2, 212, TE, Columbus, Ga. (Carver HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star prospect by Rivals.com and ESPN.com . . . Rated as a top-50 prospect in the state of Georgia by Rivals.com . . . Helped lead Carver High School to a 12-2 record and a trip to the Class 2A Semifinals his senior season . . . Accounted for 356 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior.

PERSONAL: Born Artimas Samuel to parents Jimmy Majors and Linda Samuel . . . Chose Mississippi State over Arkansas, Clemson, Southern California and other programs.

Nick Schuessler, 6-4, 190, QB, Loganville, Ga. (Grayson HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Received a three-star rating by 247Sports … Led Grayson to a perfect 15-0 record and Class 5A State Championship his senior season, where he threw for 1,853 yards and 20 touchdowns, while also rushing for 297 yards and 5 touchdowns ... Chose Mississippi State over Middle Tennessee State and others.

PERSONAL: Born Nick Schuessler on June 12, 1994 … Son of John and Stephanie Schuessler.

Gus Walley, 6-3, 224, TE, Richton, Miss.(Greene County HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Received three-star rankings by ESPN.com and Rivals.com . . . Also notched No.41 in recruitment nationally by position by ESPN.com . . . Seated at 15th in the state as a general recruit by ESPN.com . . . Had 44 catches for 577 yards and three touchdowns . . . Retained two carries for 53 yards and one touchdown . . . Invited to the Bernard Blackwell All-Star Classic . . . Chose Mississippi State over Southern Mississippi, Louisiana-Lafayette and UAB.

PERSONAL: Gus McLain Walley was born on Sept. 14, 1993 . . . Son of Carol and Cecil Walley.

Jordan Washington, 6-0, 270, DT, Sugar Hill, Ga. (North Gwinnett HS)

HIGH SCHOOL: Possesses three-star rankings by ESPN.com, 247Sports, Scout.com and Rivals.com . . . Obtained No.92 overall recruit in the state of Georgia by ESPN.com . . . Ranked No.59 nationally by position by Scout.com . . . Washington notched 33 tackles, 20 of which were solo, including 5.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss, 11 QB hurries, two fumble recoveries, three PBUs and one safety . . . Chose Mississippi State over Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ole Miss, Ohio State, and other programs.

PERSONAL: Born to Tammy Hiler and Michael Washington on Feb. 15, 1994 . . . Washington's uncle, Kirby Jackson, played defensive back for Mississippi State from 1983-86.