Mississippi
How a Mississippi State football win or loss vs Florida could impact rest of Bulldogs’ season
STARKVILLE — Expectations were low for coach Jeff Lebby’s first season with Mississippi State football, and after a 1-2 start they feel even lower.
It’s fair to wonder how Mississippi State will do in the SEC after last week’s brutal 41-17 home loss to Toledo. The Bulldogs’ SEC schedule begins this week with Florida coming to Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN).
The Gators (1-2, 0-1 SEC) are in the midst of their own disarray, but a Mississippi State win could still ease some of fans’ concerns from the start of the season.
“We’re not going to dwell on the past,” Lebby said. “Our guys understand that we have good football players inside these walls. Having some self-belief and some confidence when things aren’t going right is something that needs to start showing up.”
What a win vs Florida could mean for Mississippi State
It hasn’t been just one glaring weakness for Mississippi State.
Mississippi State hasn’t scored a first-half touchdown in two straight games and there’s also been little resemblance of an effective running game. Defensively, MSU hasn’t been winning up front with new coordinator Coleman Hutzler. Arizona State rushed for 346 yards, and Mississippi State has only one sack in the last two games.
Florida has been bad too though, as coach Billy Napier’s job security appears to be in great danger. He’s just 2-10 away from home since becoming the coach in 2022.
The timing for Mississippi State to play the Gators immediately after Toledo could be a beneficial runway before the true SEC gauntlet begins. After Florida, Mississippi State plays five of the top eight teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll. It has road games at No. 2 Texas, No. 1 Georgia, No. 7 Tennessee and No. 5 Ole Miss. No. 8 Missouri comes to Starkville the week before the Egg Bowl.
That means there’s few realistic opportunities for wins after the Florida game. They all come in a three-game home stretch from Oct. 19 to Nov. 2: Texas A&M, Arkansas and UMass.
What a loss to Florida could mean for Mississippi State
Mississippi State has announced three players have left the team since the start of the season. All of them were expected to be contributors this season.
Running back Jeffery Pittman left in Week 1, defensive lineman Eric Taylor left early last week and offensive lineman Leon Bell was announced as a departure after he didn’t play Saturday. Bell started at right tackle in Week 2 against Arizona State.
No reasons were given for their departures.
MORE: What upset Jeff Lebby the most after watching Mississippi State football’s loss to Toledo
Would a loss deepen the departures from the Mississippi State’s roster?
“It’s hard,” Lebby said of the players’ exits. “You don’t want that. You want guys to have every opportunity imaginable to be able to be a part of something that’s so much bigger than ourselves, bigger than myself, bigger than anybody that sits in this team room every single day.
“I think early on inside a program, people understanding that you’re not going to give on certain things is incredibly important. Our guys that love Mississippi State, that want to play for each other and have great connection and want to be great teammates. We’re going to find ways to reward those guys nonstop inside the program.”
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
Mississippi
Mississippi Highway Patrol deployed to Goodman after viral gun video, leaders explain goals
GOODMAN, Miss. — The Mississippi Department of Public Safety has deployed state troopers to the Town of Goodman indefinitely following a viral video showing people waving guns and mocking the absence of police in the town.
DPS Commissioner Sean Tindell and other department leaders flew into Goodman on Thursday to meet with town officials. Tindell said the video drew the attention of both himself and Gov. Tate Reeves.
“We felt like there needed to be a presence of law enforcement in Goodman to send a message,” Tindell said. “That it’s not a town or any town in Mississippi that we’re going to allow lawlessness to prevail.”
Troopers conducting stops, working alongside sheriff’s office
Since Wednesday, troopers have been stopping drivers in downtown Goodman and in neighborhoods. Tindell said the Mississippi Highway Patrol is working alongside the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office as part of the investigation.
“It’s more regular law enforcement duties at this point,” Tindell said. “You know, we’re looking at individuals in the video to ask who they were and go from there.”
Tindell said MHP deployments to towns across the state are not uncommon, and include safety checkpoints, driver’s license verifications and insurance verifications.
“So that’s not unusual anywhere on any given day,” Tindell said. “We just happen to be in Goodman because they needed additional help at that time.”
Mayor supports presence; some residents question it
Mayor Michael Howard said he supports MHP’s increased presence in the town. However, resident Keni El questioned whether the deployment was necessary.
“It really doesn’t change anything because if the people they’ve seen on the video are who they came for then that’s who they need to be looking for,” El said. “Because in a way, it’s kind of harassing the people for stupidity of some younglings.”
El said leaders should instead focus on providing resources to mentor young people.
“The youth need to be taught the right knowledge, right wisdom, right understanding,” El said. “But I’m not going to be afraid of no child.”
Tindell said he is unsure how long state troopers will remain in Goodman but will stay in contact with town officials until a departure date is determined.
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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State baseball could have its first position player picked in the first round of the MLB draft since 2020.
That’s where star third baseman Ace Reese is ranked ahead of the 2026 MLB Draft. He has two years of eligibility remaining but is not expected back with the Bulldogs because of his high draft ranking.
There are other draft outcomes that can impact MSU’s 2027 roster for coach Brian O’Connor’s second season. The draft begins July 11 (noon, NBC/Peacock) with Rounds 1-4 and continues July 12 with Rounds 5-20.
Here’s a look at where Mississippi State players are ranked for the draft, including high school signees.
MLB draft rankings for Ace Reese, other Mississippi State players
MLB.com’s list of the top 250 prospects has Reese at No. 18. He’s the highest-ranked third baseman. USA Today’s mock draft predicts the Miami Marlins to select Reese with the No. 14 pick, which has a slot value of nearly $5.5 million.
If Reese is picked in the top 10, he’d be Mississippi State’s first top 10 pick since Paul Maholm in 2003.
The only other Mississippi State player in MLB.com’s top 250 is relief pitcher Ben Davis at No. 232. Davis does not have any college eligibility remaining.
That does not mean there won’t be more MSU players drafted. MSU has two starters in particular, catcher Kevin Milewski and outfielder Aidan Teel, who are draft eligible. If they are drafted, they’ll have to decide whether to sign with the pro team or return to Mississippi State. Relief pitcher Maddox Webb is in the same situation.
None of Mississippi State’s incoming transfers are ranked as top 250 draft prospects.
Mississippi State baseball signees rankings for MLB draft
Mississippi State has the No. 6 recruiting class, according to Perfect Game, and there are many players who are draft risks.
Eight of the signees are ranked inside MLB.com’s top 250 with four in the top 100.
Catcher Will Brick is the top signee at No. 46 after reclassifying to the 2026 class. Shortstop Rocco Maniscalco is just behind him at No. 49, followed by pitchers Landon Brown (No. 77) and Denton Lord (No. 80).
Other signees in the top 250 are pitcher Wilson Andersen (No. 111), outfielder Martin Shelar (No. 175), pitcher Jake Carbaugh (No. 203) and shortstop Noah Danza (No. 239).
Last summer, Mississippi State got signees Jack Bauer and Jacob Parker to turn down the MLB draft and play for the Bulldogs. Bauer was ranked as the No. 44 prospect and Parker, who turned into a freshman All-American, was No. 109.
The deadline for draftees to sign contracts with pro teams is July 27 at 4 p.m. CT.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
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