In the recent issue of Prospect Plus, a publication by Baseball America and Perfect Game USA that ranks baseball players in high school and college, Matt was rated the 49th best senior baseball player in the nation.

Q&A with Matt Lea

What schools did you have it narrowed down to prior to your commitment to Mississippi State?
"I had it narrowed down to Mississippi State and Ole Miss. After my visit to Mississippi State, I took a few weeks to continue my research, looking at the pluses and minuses of both. When I made my decision, I called Coach Polk and let him know."

What put Mississippi State over the hump?
"When it came down to baseball, I couldn't decide between the two. Scholarship-wise, they are about the same. I could have played for either group of coaches. I knew, baseball-wise, I could get to where I wanted to be at either program. They both gave me the same opportunities and same chances to do that, so I chose where I wanted to go to college and spend the next four years of my life."

You must have more friends at Mississippi State?
"I actually have friends on both teams (laugh)."

This had to be a really tough decision since so much was similar between the two programs.
" It was extremely tough. That's why it took me so long to make it. I was losing sleep over this one. It was really tough."

It really sounds like you did a very thorough job looking at both schools.
"I think we did it the right way. And I feel like I did make the right decision for me. I feel I did all the research and did everything I could to make the right choice."

Once you did all your research, did you just wake up one morning and decide Mississippi State was you choice? Or did it happen some other way?
"It had been some time. I was thinking about everything. I enjoyed my visit to Mississippi State and the campus, the style of the campus. In Starkville, the university is the main attraction. It is pretty low key, pickup trucks and blue jeans. That is more my style to tell you the truth."

You will probably be a fairly high draft choice in next June's Major League Baseball Draft. What are your thoughts about that?
"To tell you the truth, I haven't even given it any thought."