News Summary
Mississippi State baseball has bolstered its roster by securing the commitment of former Rice University pitcher Davion Hickson. The right-handed pitcher from Jacksonville, Florida, brings impressive stats, having maintained a 3.82 ERA while striking out 90 batters in 73 innings during his 2025 season. This addition marks a strategic move for the Bulldogs as they look to strengthen their pitching lineup. Hickson’s experience, including a notable game against Mississippi State, positions him as a promising asset for the upcoming season and the 2025 MLB draft.
Starkville, Mississippi – Mississippi State baseball has strengthened its roster with the recent commitment of former Rice University pitcher Davion Hickson, who announced his decision on June 30, 2026. Hickson, a right-handed pitcher hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, will join the Bulldogs after two successful seasons with the Owls, marking a pivotal move in the team’s ongoing efforts to enhance its pitching staff through the transfer portal.
During the 2025 season at Rice, Hickson posted a commendable 3.82 ERA while striking out 90 batters over the course of 73 innings. Despite finishing the season with a 2-7 record, he earned recognition as an All-AAC second-team selection, demonstrating his potential and skill on the mound. In his second year with Rice, he transitioned from a relief pitcher role to a starting pitcher, making 11 starts during the season. This followed his previous performance in 2024 where he achieved a 3.62 ERA and struck out 64 batters in 54.2 innings.
One of Hickson’s notable games this past season was against Mississippi State, in which he allowed four earned runs in 4⅔ innings during a tournament match-up, showcasing his experience against the Bulldogs. As he prepares to compete for Mississippi State in the upcoming season, Hickson will be entering his senior year and is eligible for the 2025 MLB draft, which opens on July 13, 2026.
Hickson’s commitment represents the seventh pitcher to join the Bulldogs from the transfer portal as new head coach Brian O’Connor has successfully added a total of 14 players from the portal since taking the helm. The transfer portal for baseball closed on July 1, 2026, solidifying Hickson’s timely decision to join Mississippi State.
As the Bulldogs look to rebuild their pitching lineup, Hickson’s role may evolve into that of a weekend starter following the MLB draft. His addition is part of a broader strategy by O’Connor, who retained pitching coach Justin Parker during his coaching transition. Parker has been instrumental in actively recruiting pitchers, and analysts have lauded the Bulldogs for assembling what is considered the best transfer portal class nationally.
Prior to his time at Rice, Hickson pitched at the prestigious IMG Academy, where he garnered attention as one of Florida’s top right-handed pitching prospects. His collegiate journey began at Florida State, where he made just one appearance before transferring to Rice. Known for his high-octane fastball that has reached up to 97 mph, Hickson also possesses a dynamic changeup with a significant swing-and-miss rate, making him a formidable presence on the mound.
Last season, Mississippi State reached the Tallahassee Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament but faced a setback against Florida State. With Hickson joining the program, there is renewed optimism as the Bulldogs aim to strengthen their competitive edge in collegiate baseball. This strategic acquisition aligns with the team’s vision to bounce back and enhance its status in the field following the recent coaching changes.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger
- Wikipedia: Davion Hickson
- 247Sports
- Google Search: Davion Hickson Mississippi State
- Sports Illustrated
- Google News: Mississippi State Baseball
- On3
- Google Scholar: Mississippi State baseball
- Athlon Sports
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mississippi State Bulldogs
