Mississippi State Adds Power Arm Through Transfer Portal

Hickson, a Florida native and IMG Academy alum, is the 14th transfer portal addition for first-year MSU coach Brian O’Connor, and the seventh pitcher added by Justin Parker, Mississippi State’s new pitching coach. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound junior was the ace for the Rice Owls in 2025, posting 93 strikeouts in 70.0 innings, a 3.82 ERA, and earning Second-Team All-AAC honors.

Despite a 2-7 record that doesn’t reflect his dominance, Hickson finished 11th in the NCAA in strikeouts per nine innings (11.1), and led Rice in nearly every major pitching category. He was especially unhittable down the stretch, tossing a complete-game shutout against Charlotte and closing the season with 24.1 consecutive walk-free innings.

This isn’t Hickson’s first time navigating the transfer process. He originally started his college career at Florida State, tossing a clean inning against Virginia before transferring to Rice. Now, he’s betting on himself again, this time in college baseball’s toughest conference.

He’s got elite stuff, noting his 50%+ swing-and-miss rate on a devastating changeup and a slider that kept AAC hitters guessing all season. His fastball topped out at 97 mph, making him one of the most projectable arms available in the portal.

The only caveat for MSU? Hickson is draft-eligible, and with the MLB Draft looming July 13-14, his commitment to Starkville may come with a wait-and-see clause. Still, O’Connor and Parker’s aggressive portal strategy sends a clear message: Mississippi State isn’t rebuilding, they’re reloading.

For Bulldog fans craving a return to Omaha, Hickson’s arrival feels like more than just another arm. It feels like a statement.I’m