According to Pierce, Mississippi State called Sims and Holloway on the day after signing day in 2006 and asked them if they would publicly re-commit to the Bulldogs and both players did.

As recently as Monday of this week, Sims and Holloway both still thought they were headed to Mississippi State.

“Things are still pretty strong with Mississippi State,” said Sims in a Jan. 15 interview on scout.com. “I am supposed to be heading up there in June.”

But both players will now seek other schools.

Holloway said he would consider Houston, Troy State and Ole Miss.

Sims is unsure at this point.

“I am not sure where I am going now, but I will find some place to play,” he told scout.com.

Pierce said several schools – Southern Miss, Ole Miss and Iowa State – have been contacted about Sims. And he said calls have been placed to Florida State and West Virginia about Sims.

“I will never help the current staff at Mississippi State again with one of our players,” said Pierce. “I have lost all respect for them. If they want to recruit one of our players, it will have to go through the administration building and not through me.”

National signing day is Feb. 7.