Mississippi
Jeff Lebby’s Mississippi State football offseason grades from transfers to staff moves
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football improved by three wins in 2025 in coach Jeff Lebby’s second season.
Now, the Bulldogs aim to make a similar leap as a program that can win multiple SEC games. They haven’t accomplished that since 2022.
Lebby and MSU shook up the coaching staff, especially on defense with Zach Arnett rehired as the new defensive coordinator. MSU also added 23 transfers and signed 30 players in the 2026 recruiting class while it builds around new starting quarterback Kamario Taylor.
Spring practice begins March 17, and here’s how we graded Mississippi State’s offseason so far.
Mississippi State added 23 transfers, missed on Jordan Seaton
The Bulldogs added 23 players from the transfer portal. That’s the ninth most in the SEC. However, the class ranks 15th in the conference and No. 35 nationally, according to 247Sports.
Seven of those transfers are on the offensive line. Mississippi State was able to land a visit from Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton, the No. 4 overall player in the transfer portal, but he picked LSU. Seaton alone could’ve propelled MSU’s transfer class from OK to great.
Cornerback is perhaps Mississippi State’s most improved position from the transfer portal. All-SEC cornerback Kelley Jones is back, but MSU needed better corners opposite of him. Iowa State’s Quentin Taylor Jr. could fill that role, while Florida’s Jamroc Grimsley and Syracuse’s Kaylib Singleton could be in the mix, too.
Transfer wide receivers have had success in Lebby’s offense. Missouri’s Marquis Johnson could be the next one.
Grade: C
Mississippi State’s roster retention in transfer portal
Mississippi State’s biggest losses in the transfer portal were at offensive line with Jayvin Q. James, Jimothy Lewis Jr. and Zack Owens leaving. However, the line struggled as a unit and was probably in need of a refurbish.
None of Mississippi State’s best players entered the transfer portal or left early for the NFL draft. That includes players like Taylor, running back Fluff Bothwell and wide receiver Anthony Evans III on offense and Jones, safety Isaac Smith and linebacker Tyler Lockhart on defense.
That’s different from last season when top players like Brice Pollock, Kevin Coleman Jr. and Mario Craver transferred.
Grade: A-
Mississippi State boosted recruiting class before signing day
Mississippi State capitalized on its better season by flipping some late recruits. The Bulldogs’ two highest-rated signees weren’t part of the 2026 recruiting class until the week of early signing day.
Four-star safety Bralan Womack flipped from Auburn to MSU. He was a five-star at the time of his signing, according to the 247Sports Composite, but has since been downgraded. Womack, from Hartfield Academy, ranks as MSU’s ninth-best signing off all time.
The Bulldogs also flipped four-star edge rusher Micah Nickerson of South Pike from Missouri.
The class ranks No. 23 nationally, up five spots from 2025 and six spots from 2024.
Grade: B
Mississippi State coaching staff shaken up for 2026
Lebby hardly made changes to the coaching staff in 2025 but has done a lot more in 2026, mainly with Arnett as the new defensive coordinator.
Other new defensive assistant coaches include Matt Brock (co-defensive coordinator/linebackers), Ty Warren (defensive line), Kevie Thompson (defensive backs/nickels) and Jermauria Rasco (assistant defensive line).
On offense, Mississippi State has a new quarterbacks coach, Kevin Johns, wide receivers coach, Phillip Montgomery, and assistant wide receivers coach, Desmond Lindsey.
The Bulldogs have one opening after safeties coach Matt Barnes left for Maryland, but it’s possible Arnett takes that role since he is not assigned a position.
It should be a big boost for MSU if Arnett can return the defense to where he had it while being the coordinator under coach Mike Leach.
Grade: B+
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.