William Kirk tossed a five-hit shutout to lead Ramsey to a 1-0 win over Glen Rock in a North 1, Group 2 baseball semifinal in Glen Rock on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. Greg Mattura/NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Another Ex-Cavalier follows Brian O'Connor to Mississippi State

Originally posted on Mississippi State Bulldogs on SI
By Taylor Hodges | Last updated Jun 24, 2025 5:15 PM ET

The assumption several of new Mississippi State coach Brian O’Connors former players would be following him to Starkville have proven correct.

The fifth former Virginia player has committed to Mississippi State on Tuesday. Freshman left-handed pitcher William Kirk has committed to the Bulldogs. He’s the second ex-Cavalier pitcher to follow O’Connor, joining Tomas Valincius.

‘24 Will Kirk (NJ)

FB: 88-91 (2100, 1850 2S, ASR)
CH: 78-80 (1700s, confident, fade)
SL: 78-80 (2400s, varied shape, better late)

EZ mover w/ m2c. Mixed & matched w/ starter upside. Double digit whiffs on FB & near 20 overall. Low pulse, commanding presence.

|| #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/IVn3HWniIH
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) April 19, 2024

Kirk didn’t play this past season with Virginia as he recovered from a knee injury. While at Ramsey High School in New Jersey, Kirk was the No. 6 overall player and No. 1 LHP in the state. He was 5-0 as a senior with a 0.22 ERA in 26 appearances. He also batted .481 with nine home runs and 38 RBIs. That led to Kirk being named the 2024 Gatorade New Jersey Baseball Player of the Year.

Because Kirk didn’t play during the 2025 season, he arrives in Starkville with full college eligibility.

✅ Kirk remains at the top
✅ Lynch, Dickerson round out top 3
✅ ACC dominates the Top 10

Bryson Kirby, Ben Hudson , and Brodie Freker highlight top risers.

Check it all out https://t.co/vnpEeK0rbO @prepbaseball pic.twitter.com/2Vx9lNg1fw
— Prep Baseball New Jersey (@PrepBaseballNJ) November 16, 2023

The easy storyline is the former Virginia players following O’Connor to Mississippi State. But it should be noted the Cavaliers (barely) failed to make the 2025 NCAA Tournament after going 31-25 overall and 12-18 in ACC games.

Some of the highest-rated transfers are former Virginia players, but the addition of players from other schools like Ryder Woodson (NC State) and Kevin Milewski (Seton Hall) are just as important and valuable to build a championship-caliber roster.

Mississippi State Baseball Roster Tracker

Outgoing Transfers

RHP Will Passeau (Auburn University at Montgomery)
RHP Eli Walker
RHP Gavin Black
INF Dylan Cupp (Dallas Baptist)
INF Lukas Buckner (Coastal Carolina)
LHP Wes Pritchard
RHP Mikhai Grant
OF Landis Davila
OF Michael O'Brien (Arkansas-Little Rock)
OF Nolan Stevens (Oklahoma)
C Jackson Owen (Return to Mississippi State)
C Steven Spalitta (Louisiana Lafayette)
RHP Kevin Mannell (Nebraska)
RHP Cade O'Leary
LHP Robert Fortenberry (Kansas State)
LHP Luke Dotson (Texas)
LHP Bradley Loftin
RHP Duke Stone

Incoming Transfers

LHP Tomas Valincius (Virginia)
OF James Nunnallee (Virginia)
C/INF Chone James (Virginia)
INF Vytas Valincius (Illinois)
OF Aidan Teel (Virginia)
INF Ryder Woodson (NC State)
RHP Maddox Webb (The Citadel)
RHP Jackson Logar (James Madison)
UTL Blake Bevis (Ball State)
RHP Tyler Pitzer (South Carolina)
C Kevin Milewski (Seton Hall)
LHP William Kirk (Virginia)