When you think of the biggest recruiting battles in college football, Mississippi State doesn't usually come to mind. But that was almost the case for five-star left tackle Jordan Seaton, thanks to a relationship built in the Rocky Mountains.

Before Seaton ultimately chose LSU over Miami and Oregon, it was the downtrodden Mississippi State Bulldogs who nearly pulled off the upset of the offseason. The key? Former Colorado Buffaloes offensive line coach Phil Loadholt.

According to CBS Sports' Chris Hummer, Seaton's first visit after entering the transfer portal wasn't to Baton Rouge or Coral Gables—it was to Starkville, Mississippi. Loadholt, who coached Seaton during his true freshman season at Colorado, had maintained a close relationship with the talented lineman, giving the Bulldogs early momentum.

"The pair remain close, and that gave Mississippi State early momentum," Hummer wrote.

From there, Seaton took visits to Miami, where the Hurricanes pitched Mario Cristobal's offensive line development, and then to LSU, which desperately needed impact linemen after an offseason overhaul. Interestingly, Seaton never made it to Oregon, though Ducks coach Dan Lanning flew to Atlanta to meet with him directly.

Loadholt's departure from Colorado was a significant loss for the Buffaloes' recruiting efforts. Seaton had checked out toward the end of last season as Colorado struggled to find its identity. Still, there's a silver lining: the Buffaloes' offensive line showed measurable improvement in 2024, boosting both pass protection and the running game after two years of struggles.

For fans tracking the transfer portal's biggest dominoes, this story serves as a reminder that relationships—not just NIL deals—often drive the biggest decisions in college football today.