PHOENIX -- The state of Mississippi flows through the veins of Dakota Jordan.

So there was no higher honor for MLB Pipeline¡¯s No. 34 Draft prospect and San Francisco's No. 116 Draft pick than when he was awarded the Ferriss Trophy, which is presented every year to the best college baseball player in Mississippi.

¡°Being from Mississippi, I¡¯ve always wanted to play in the state,¡± Jordan said at the 2024 MLB Draft Combine. ¡°It was always between Ole Miss and Mississippi State, but I couldn't turn down the Mississippi State¡¯s fan base.¡±

The 21-year-old will soon embark on a journey to represent Mississippi in the Majors -- hoping to join the likes of Roy Oswalt, Chet Lemon and Dave Parker as some of the best players from Mississippi to suit up in MLB. His accomplishments over two seasons with the Bulldogs have put him on the radar of plenty of Major League scouts.

After a strong freshman season that earned him a Second Team Perfect Game Freshman All-American nod, Jordan followed it up with an electric senior season. He led the team in home runs (20), RBIs (72), hits (85) and slugging percentage (.671). His .354 batting average was the eighth highest in the South Eastern Conference (SEC), one of the toughest college baseball circuits.

In one of his final games, the power-hitting outfielder gave Bulldog fans one last memory when he slugged a walk-off homer against St. John¡¯s in the Regional opener.

Most of all, teams are impressed with his lightning-fast right-handed swing speed.

¡°That¡¯s a God¡¯s given talent,¡± Jordan said. ¡°I really didn¡¯t realize how fast my bat speed was until I got to Middle School. It¡¯s helped out with my game ever since.¡±

Jordan personified the athletic talent the Magnolia State had to offer as a talented two-way recruit. After rewriting the baseball record books at Jackson Prep Academy, Jordan earned the highest honor of being named Gatorade High School Player of the Year Award in baseball.

He wasn¡¯t just a heralded baseball prodigy. On the gridiron, he excelled he was a sought-after three-star recruit that produced 49 catches for 876 yards with 11 touchdowns.

When Jordan committed to play for Mississippi State, baseball was always the focus. But seeing the way the Bulldog faithful rallied around the team¡¯s football team, which was under the direction of legendary head coach Mike Leach before his sudden passing, it was hard for Jordan not to flirt with the idea of putting the helmet and pads.

As tempting as playing with the roar of 61,337 fans at Davis Wade Stadium in the heart of SEC country was, Jordan knew his passion for baseball outweighed football. And with the Mississippi State fans bringing the same passion to the ballpark, he knew he¡¯d still experience that same type of excitement.

¡°It really wasn¡¯t that hard,¡± Jordan said. ¡°I like watching more than playing, especially going down there and getting beat up during every play.¡±

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Jordan has impeccable raw talent, but he admits he could not have made it this far without his mother, who raised him along with his sister and brother. Even with the busy schedule that comes with having three children, she still found ways to take Jordan to all the showcases throughout the states.

¡°She takes care of us,¡± Jordan said. ¡°She puts you in your place if he needs to get put into place. She wears the pants in the family.¡±

It¡¯s a reminder that for so many of these rising athletes, their Major League aspirations aren¡¯t just a reflection of themselves, but their families. It doesn¡¯t just allow Jordan to represent Mississippi nationally but brings joy and prosperity to those who support him on the way.