# Mississippi State Bulldogs

Southeastern · Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field, Starkville, MS
Head coach: Jeff Lebby · year 3 · 7-18 career over 3 seasons, all at MSST
Offense: Veer and Shoot · Defense: 3-3-5

## 2026 outlook

- 2025 record: 5-8 (1-7 in conference)
- National title odds: +60000 (#41 on the futures board)
- Season win total: 4.5 (over priced -128)
- Returning starter games: 34%
- Schedule difficulty: 11th-hardest of 138 FBS teams

## Returning production by unit

| Unit | Returning games | Games back | Depth back |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Skill offense | 33% | 24/73 | 7/14 |
| Offensive line | 22% | 13/60 | 8/19 |
| Defensive front | 42% | 38/90 | 12/24 |
| Secondary | 37% | 22/59 | 4/12 |

## Roster movement

- Key returning: Kelley Jones (CB), Kamario Taylor (QB), Anthony Evans III (WR), Kalvin Dinkins (DL), Canon Boone (OL)
- Key departures (with destination): Brylan Lanier (SAF), Blake Shapen (QB), Malick Sylla (LB), Nic Mitchell (LB), Brenen Thompson (WR)
- Key arrivals (with previous school): AJ Swann (QB) – APP, Marquis Johnson (WR) – MIZZ, Jaden Rashada (QB) – SAC, Amaree Williams (DE) – FSU, Jayson Jenkins (DL) – FSU

## Depth chart

### Offense

- WR-X: Marquis Johnson, Sanfrisco Magee, Matt Mayfield
- WR-Z: Ayden Williams, Zion Ragins
- WR-SL: Anthony Evans III, Gracen Harris
- LT: Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins, Tyler Miller, Ja'Elyne Matthews
- LG: DJ Chester, TJ Lockhart, Jamari Freeman
- C: Canon Boone, Mario Nash, Wesley Davis
- RG: LJ Prudhomme, Miles McVay
- RT: Blake Steen, Saquon Miles, Isaiah Dent
- TE: Sam West, Riley Williams, Zayion Cotton, Joeseph Skipworth
- QB: Kamario Taylor, AJ Swann, Jaden Rashada, Brodie McWhorter, Parker Puckett
- RB: Fluff Bothwell, Xavier Gayten, Kolin Wilson, J.J. Hill, Cooper Crosby

### Defense

- DE: Will Whitson, Trevion Williams, Jayson Jenkins
- NT: Jaray Bledsoe, Kalvin Dinkins, Diesel Moye
- DT: Dealyn Evans, DJ Reed, Colin Coates
- JACK: Amaree Williams, Derion Gullette, Tyshun Willis
- WLB: Tyler Lockhart, Jalen Smith, LaKendrick James
- MLB: Zakari Tillman, Fatt Forrest, AJ Rice, Gav Holman
- LCB: Kelley Jones, Kaylib Singleton, Kyle Johnson
- SS: Jardin Gilbert, Tanner Johnson, Ja'Bryis Stewart
- FS: Marcus Williams, Bralan Womack, Dre Riley
- RCB: Quentin Taylor, Jett Jefferson, Jamroc Grimsley
- NB: Isaac Smith, Kendel Dolby

### Special Teams

- PT: Ethan Pulliam, Oisin Flynn
- PK: Kyle Ferrie, William Wilkinson, Hayden Chambers
- KO: Kyle Ferrie, William Wilkinson, Hayden Chambers
- LS: Kallen Cosper, Kyle Rushing
- H: Ethan Pulliam, Oisin Flynn
- PR: Anthony Evans III, Kolin Wilson
- KR: Marquis Johnson, Anthony Evans III

## 2026 schedule

| Week | Opponent | Site | TV | Spread |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | Louisiana-Monroe | Home | ESPNU | MSST -29.5 |
| 2 | Minnesota | Away | CBS | – |
| 3 | South Carolina | Away | SEC Network | – |
| 4 | Missouri | Home | – | – |
| 5 | Alabama | Home | – | – |
| 7 | LSU | Away | – | – |
| 8 | Oklahoma | Home | – | – |
| 9 | Texas | Away | – | – |
| 10 | Vanderbilt | Home | – | – |
| 11 | Auburn | Home | – | – |
| 12 | Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (FCS) | Home | SEC Network+ | – |
| 13 | Ole Miss | Away | ABC | – |

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Source: SharpData OS – https://www.sharpdataos.com/cfb/teams/mississippi-state
Depth chart updated 2026-08-11. Odds shown are point-in-time snapshots.