Three-star cornerback Antwoine Baker (6-0, 171, 4.4), from Los Angeles Jordan (Calif.), will be committing to Mississippi State on Thursday (December 7) when Coach Guy Holliday (wide receivers) visits Baker at home.
"I'm telling Coach Holliday that I will be committing to Mississippi State when he visits my house this Thursday," Baker said. "My parents will be there and already know of my decision to commit.
"I'm very close to my brother and he lives three hours away from Mississippi State. I thought it would be cool to get out of California, live in a new state, create some new experiences and be close to my brother.
"Mississippi State recruited me the hardest," he said. "They showed the most interest. When I visited their school in November, I really felt like I belonged. I liked all of the coaches, met all of the defensive backs, watched practice and watched them lose to Arkansas (28-14). I still loved everything about Mississippi State. I like the fact that the school is located in the country. I'm a city boy and I want to see what it is like to live in a state like Mississippi.
"I feel that Mississippi State and Coach Holliday can mold me into a better player. Coach Holliday tells me like it is. He says that I need to lift more, become bigger and gain weight. He's very honest with me and tells me what the entire coaching staff is expecting from me. I respect that. My high school football coach went to my official visit with me and wanted me to commit that weekend. He was also very impressed with Coach Holliday. We both believe that I can reach my next level by attending Mississippi State.
"I've always favored USC," Baker said. "But they never seemed interested in me. Even if I had received an offer from USC, I would have declined. There is too much talent among the Trojans. I have a chance to shine at Mississippi State.
"I haven't told anyone besides my parents and coach that I will be committing on Thursday. Once I talk to Coach Holliday, I'll tell everyone else. I think I should sit down and tell Coach Holliday before I notify any other schools.
"I expect to get a little homesick being so far away, but like I said my brother is close," he said. "I've just been feeling Mississippi State from the very beginning. I know that I'll practice hard at this school to become a better player.
"I feel so much better now that I know where I am going to go to college. I feel like a huge weight is being lifted of my shoulders. I can now focus on getting ready for college."
Baker reports a 3.0 core GPA and awaiting his SAT test scores which he took last week.