Mississippi State Reportedly Exploring Late Addition in Youngstown State CB

Every spring brings a surprise or two in the transfer portal, but this one is a little different.

Mississippi State, according to On3's Pete Nakos , is reportedly in contact with Youngstown State cornerback Isaiah Hackett, one of the best remaining defensive backs still available.

That alone is news. The timing makes it even more interesting.

Hackett entered the portal back in January and never committed, which created a second wave of interest this spring. Illinois got him on campus early. Maryland hosted him earlier this month.

Now he says he's been talking with Florida, LSU and Mississippi State, and he's open to visiting the SEC schools later this spring as the details get sorted out.

This is where things get unusual. There's no spring transfer window. Hackett can't join a new team until the summer.

Most programs have already reshaped their rosters and moved on to spring practice.

But Hackett is experienced, he's still available, and he's one of the few defensive backs left who can help a Power Five secondary right away. That combination tends to get coaches' attention.

And Mississippi State has been open about needing help in the secondary.

Jeff Lebby said it back in November, long before the portal opened. The Bulldogs addressed some spots, but they didn't fill everything. There are still a couple of roster spots available, and Hackett fits the profile of what they've been looking for.

He's a former UNLV transfer who posted 19 tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass breakup over the last two seasons at Youngstown State. He's not a splashy name, but he's played real football and he's played it at multiple stops.

Florida needs depth. LSU just lost Aidan Anding to a torn Achilles. Mississippi State has room and a clear need. That's the market Hackett walked into by waiting, and it's why he's suddenly one of the more interesting names left on the board.

If he visits later this spring, things could move quickly. If he doesn't, the Bulldogs still made it clear they're not done trying to patch the secondary.

Either way, this is the kind of latecycle storyline that tells you how fluid roster building has become.

Even in April, even without a portal window, there's still room for a twist.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/mississippistate as Mississippi State Reportedly Exploring Late Addition in Youngstown State CB .