Four New Bulldogs Join MSU Football Program in the Spring

January 22, 2013

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) — Mississippi State welcomed four newcomers to its football program as classes began this month. Jeremey Chappelle, Kivon Coman, Justin Cox and Artimas Samuel all join the team and will participate in offseason workouts and spring practices.

“This is a talented group of young men that will certainly have an opportunity to make an immediate impact on our 2013 football team,” head coach Dan Mullen said.

The Bulldogs begin offseason workouts this week and will host the annual spring game on April 21 as part of Super Bulldog Weekend.

(Daily Journal)
Former West Point Green Wave star Justin Cox, who took the JUCO route at EMCC, is enrolled and ready to go with Mississippi State for the spring.

JEREMEY CHAPPELLE, 6-2, 212, WR TYLER, TEXAS (TYLER JC)

Junior College: Led Coach Danny Parker and the Apaches, as well as the Southwest Junior College Football Conference, with 60 receptions for 801 yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing action in two game due to injury … Named first-team all-conference in the SWJCFC … Played his freshman year for Stephen F. Austin State University hauling in 17 passes for 175 yards … Enrolled at MSU in January 2013 … Rated a four-star recruit by ESPN.com and awarded three stars by Scout.com, 247Sports.com and Rivals.com … Chose Mississippi State in December 2012 over offers from Houston, Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, West Virginia and others.

HIGH SCHOOL: Decorated high school player in the rich Texas football ranks… Named the 2009 TAPPS 2-III Co-MVP … Led Brook Hill High School to the TAPPS Division III state championship game, pulling in seven balls for 65 yards … Led the team to the state title game with a five catch 143-yard ball game in the semifinals, pulling in two touchdowns one for 99 yards …

PERSONAL: Born Jeremey Tyrone Chappelle on Nov. 16, 1991 in Tyler, Texas … Son of Veronica Hunter and Tyrone Chappelle.

KIVON COMAN, 6-1, 195, DB, SHEFFIELD, ALA. (HARGRAVE MILITARY ACA.)

HIGH SCHOOL: Tabbed as the top post-grad safety in the country by 247Sports while being the 29th rated prep player, regardless of position, in the country …Spent past season at prestigious Hargrave Military Academy in post-graduate school after graduating from Florence High School in Florence, Ala … During post-graduate season, recorded 57 total tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced and recovered fumble and tied for the team lead with three interceptions … First signed with the Bulldogs on February 1, 2012 … Recorded 62 tackles, six pass deflections, six forced fumbles, four interceptions and three fumble recoveries during his senior season at Florence … Selected to the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic as one of the top players in the state of Alabama, and started at cornerback … Was tabbed as a top recruit in the state of Alabama in the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s Elite 18 football prospects … Named Second-Team All-State by Scout.com.

PERSONAL: Born Kivon Dontez Coman on Oct. 25, 1992 … Son of Shaquita Coman.

JUSTIN COX, 6-3, 190, DB, WEST POINT, MISS. (EAST MISSISSIPPI CC)

JUNIOR COLLEGE: Speedy defensive back that can help the Bulldogs at either cornerback or safety at the next level … Rated a four-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and 247Sports.com … Considered the second-best safety prospect in the country by 247Sports.com, while earning the 33rd spot regardless of position in the country … Played last two seasons for EMCC and head coach Buddy Stephens … Compiled 11 interceptions in his two season as a Lion with 19 pass breakups … Was second on the team in tackles with 119 adding seven tackles behind the line of scrimmage … Along with a 2011 national championship ring, Cox also garnered several individual honors … Named to the 2012 NJCAA Region 23 First-Team as a defensive back … Enrolled in MSU in January 2013 … Committed to Mississippi State in December 2012 over offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Nebraska, Tennessee and a host of others.

HIGH SCHOOL: Signed with Mississippi State with only three other FBS offers … Rated a three-star recruit by Scout.com and the 95^th-best cornerback in the country by the same publication … Named First-Team All-State by the Clarion Ledger… Named Class 5A, First-Team All-State by the Mississippi Association of Coaches … Named All-Area by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal … Won two-straight state championships for the West Point Green Wave, playing both offense and defense while also standing out on special teams … Rushed for 1,136 yards and 19 touchdowns during his senior season … Chosen to play in the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Classic and Mobile where he started the ballgame at corner… Was named one of three finalists for Mississippi’s Mr. Football.

ARTIMUS SAMUEL, 6-2, 227, TE, C0LUMBUS, GA. (HARGRAVE MILITARY ACA.)

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated a three-star recruit by ESPN.com, Scout.com and Rivals.com … Tabbed as the No. 51 rated prep star in the country by 247Sports.com, while earning a No. 29 ranking in the state of Virginia regardless of position and the third ranked tight end in the country … Spent 2012 season with prestigious Hargrave Military Academy following a solid high school career at Carver High School in Georgia … Caught eight passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns in his one year for Hargrave and coach Troy Davis … Helped lead Carver High School to a 12-2 record and a trip to the Class 2A Semifinals during his senior year … Accumulated 356 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns during his junior campaign … Committed to the Bulldogs, for a second time, in August 2012 and enrolled in classes in January 2013.

PERSONAL: Born Artimus Samuel … Son of Jimmy Majors and Linda Samuel.