South Alabama on Monday added a transfer portal commitment from former Mississippi State offensive lineman Jayden Hobson.

Hobson (6-foot-5, 295 pounds) was a 3-star recruit in the 2023 class out of Tuscaloosa’s Hillcrest High School. He redshirted as a true freshman and has four years of eligibility remaining.

Hobson is the Jaguars’ eighth portal commitment in the 2024 spring cycle, following fellow offensive lineman Ethan Hubbard (Duke), linebacker Darius McKenzie (Maine), safety Trent Singleton (Mississippi State), tight end Rodrecas Gibbs (Texas Southern), outside linebacker Courtney McBride (Florida Atlantic), defensive lineman Tre’Darius Brown (Texas Tech) and wide receiver Micah Woods (Buffalo). The Jaguars are expected to add a few more transfers before summer semester classes begin on May 29.

Hobson continues a pipeline of former Mississippi State players to South Alabama, a list that includes Singleton as well as current Jaguars safety Wesley Miller and offensive linemen Reed Buys and Lucas Taylor. USA cornerbacks coach Jay Hopson spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as Director of High School Relations with the Bulldogs.

South Alabama lost five offensive linemen to graduation or the transfer portal after the 2023 season, including starting right tackle Adrein Strickland and starting center Reggie Smith. Purdue transfer Malachi Preciado joined the program in December and ended spring practice as the first-team center.

The transfer portal closed for new entries as of May 1, but players already in the portal can commit to and sign with new schools at any time. The Jaguars added Preciado and six other players during the January portal period: tight end Andrew Bench (Bowling Green), wide receiver Noah Toster (Chowan), defensive lineman Bryston Dixon (Georgia Tech), outside linebacker Aakil Washington (Liberty), safety Lardarius Webb Jr. (Oklahoma State) and kicker Laith Marjan (East Carolina).

South Alabama begins summer workouts in early June. The Jaguars open the 2024 season at home Aug. 31 vs. North Texas.