- The secondary leads Mississippi State’s defense: Kelley Jones headlines a group reinforced by four transfers who started at their previous schools.
- The trenches present significant questions: Four starting offensive linemen from 2025 are gone, while the defensive line ranked outside the top 100 nationally in several PFF pass-rushing metrics.
- Kamario Taylor offers breakout potential: Taylor rushed for nearly 500 yards excluding sacks and forced 28 missed tackles on 74 carries in 2025.
Mississippi State won just five games in 2025, but that still represented progress from Jeff Lebby’s first season as head coach, when the Bulldogs finished 2-10. Mississippi State closed the season with a loss to Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, the program’s first bowl appearance in three years.
Zach Arnett returns to Mississippi State as defensive coordinator after previously serving as the Bulldogs’ head coach in 2023.
Notable Transfer Portal Additions
- WR Marquis Johnson (Missouri)
- IOL DJ Chester (LSU)
- S Jardin Gilbert (LSU)
- S Marcus Williams (Rice)
- CB Quentin Taylor (Iowa State)
Notable Transfer Portal Losses
- OT Jayvin James (Alabama)
- OG Zack Owens (Missouri)
- S Tony Mitchell (Ole Miss)
- DT Kedrick Bingley-Jones (Alabama)
- CB Jayven Williams (BYU)
Biggest strength: Secondary
The Bulldogs boast one of the nation’s top cornerbacks in Kelley Jones, who could emerge as a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. Safety Isaac Smith also returns after earning a 75.5 PFF coverage grade that ranked 10th among SEC safeties last season.
Mississippi State bolstered the secondary with four transfers who started at their previous schools: Quentin Taylor, Marcus Williams, Jardin Gilbert and Kendel Dolby. The Bulldogs also signed safety Bralan Womack, a top-50 recruit in the 2026 class.
Biggest question mark: Trenches
The trenches on both sides of the ball could be weaknesses for the Bulldogs this season. Four of their five starting offensive linemen from 2025 are gone, and there isn’t much proven production replacing them. One potential bright spot is right tackle Blake Steen, who is returning from a season-ending injury suffered in Week 1 last year.
The defensive line faces similar questions after ranking outside the top 100 nationally in PFF pass-rush grade, pressure rate and pass-rush win rate last season. The Bulldogs hope a healthy Will Whitson, along with transfers Dealyn Evans (Texas A&M) and Amaree Williams (Florida State), can help improve the unit.
Quarterback: Kamario Taylor
Taylor has physical tools as impressive as any quarterback in the country. He appeared primarily in Wildcat packages throughout 2025 before starting the Bulldogs’ final two games, including a 179-yard rushing performance against rival Ole Miss.
Taylor rushed for nearly 500 yards, excluding sacks, and forced 28 missed tackles on just 74 carries last season. If he can improve his ball placement and operate more consistently within structure, he could emerge as a breakout candidate in Jeff Lebby’s fast-paced offense.
Offensive Player Spotlight: RB Fluff Bothwell
Bothwell enters his second season as Mississippi State’s lead back after ranking 10th among SEC running backs with 17 explosive runs as a sophomore. His 409 yards after contact also ranked 11th in the conference.
At 5-foot-10 and 230 pounds, Bothwell is a powerful runner who should form a formidable rushing tandem with quarterback Kamario Taylor in the Bulldogs’ backfield.
Defensive Player Spotlight: CB Kelley Jones
Standing 6-foot-4, Jones is a physical freak who excels in press coverage. He allowed just 11 receptions last season while forcing an equal number of incompletions. He also missed only three tackles, and his 54.7 passer rating allowed ranked third among SEC cornerbacks who faced at least 10 targets.
Jones is poised for another excellent season that could result in him becoming a first-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft.
Bottom Line
If Taylor lives up to the hype and Arnett can elevate Mississippi State’s defense, the Bulldogs have a chance to reach a bowl game for the second straight season.
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