Tiano Couldnt Pass Up Bulldog Opportunity; Commits

Just two weeks ago, Mississippi State looked to have bagged their quarterback in three-star Chason Virgil and the book looked to have been closed on Chattanooga three-star Nick Tiano. That changed shortly after the decision of Virgil when MSU remained in contact with Tiano and he still was receptive to them. After working out for coaches at camp on Thursday, he decided to be a Bulldog.

"I just loved the school since my first visit," Tiano said of MSU. "I get to work with coach Mullen and coach (Brian) Johnson and they're going to develop me to be the best I can be, I know that. We all have a great relationship and I really feel at home up there. I love the fans and everything about the University. I was just happy to finally get this decision made and to be Bulldog."

The decision came shortly after camp when Tiano decided to see the campus and what it had to offer. An admirer of Starkville on each passing visit, Tiano knew that it was time to make it official.

"We went right after camp and my Dad and I spent about an hour in coach Mullen's office," Tiano said. "We watched film on past QBs and studied things about MSU and their drills. We left there and walked around campus to see the buildings and the student center. I just was feeling great, so I messaged coach Mullen and told him I was heading to the facility. I told him I was ready to be a Bulldog and he was pretty pumped."

Tiano had a big day in Starkville on Thursday and one that sewed up his commitment to the school. After running a 4.95 40-yard dash, Tiano showed just how valuable of a pocket passer he will be with above average foot work and a bullet for a pass either in the pocket, or flushed out. Working with quarterbacks coach Johnson made his decision easier.

"It was great working with him because he played for coach Mullen in college and knows what the head coach wants," Tiano said of Johnson. "They believe in the same things mechanically and do things the same way. You're not getting two different things when you talk to them. Coach Johnson has a great way to put things. He's a great coach and football philosopher."

As far as the "quarterback controversy" that fans get caught up in, Tiano dismisses it and Virgil has thought similarly. Both of the Bulldog hurlers believe that competition will make them better in the end.

"It's how it's going to be everywhere," Tiano said of the two quarterbacks now in the Bulldog class. "The best guys are going to play and that's on me whether I play or not based on abilities. I feel good about it and I feel good about my decision. The recruiting process is long and you never know between now and signing day what anybody else is going to do. I'm just happy I don't have to worry about where I'm going."

Tiano is the Bulldogs' second quarterback in the class and 15th member overall. Every commitment is rated three stars or better and the Bulldogs improved from #13 to #8 in team rankings with their two commitments on Thursday.