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Mississippi State football 2024 summer position confidence rankings

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Mississippi State football 2024 summer position confidence rankings


Mississippi State football is going to look very different in 2024, both in terms of style of play and the contributors on the field. Nearly every player that’s likely to play a major role this fall will be one that Bulldog fans may not be overly familiar with.

The majority of starters on the offensive side of the ball will be transfers. There’s more experience back on defense, but still, several transfers and players who’ve seen limited playing time thus far at State will lead the way.

With so much new to MSU in 2024, how do I feel about each position group on the team as we enter the summer? Here’s my rank of the offensive and defensive positions on the roster, from most to least confident…

State took some big losses from the WR room, but Jeff Lebby and Chad Bumphis nailed the reload here with transfers Kelly Akharaiyi, Kevin Coleman, Trent Hudson set for big seasons and a trio of 4-star freshman who’ll contribute immediately. Veteran Jordan Mosely looks primed for a breakout year, and the young but talented Creed Whittemore should take a step forward.

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This might be bold, but the fact is State has a proven power conference starter at QB, which they can’t say about many other positions. Blake Shapen was a good QB at Baylor, and he looked to be in full command of Lebby’s offense in the spring. Things are more iffy behind him, but Chris Parson is talented and at least got some SEC experience last year.

It’s crazy to still have LB this high after losing the incredible duo of Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson, but I still feel pretty good about this group. John Lewis should improve moving back to the inside, and Stone Blanton was a big addition to have alongside him. Donterry Russell will likely be the best pass rusher on the team, and Nic Mitchell and Branden Jennings looked good in the spring. There’s good depth to this unit as well.

This is another room that’s been almost totally overhauled, but give Cody Kennedy credit; he did an outstanding job. Transfers LT Makylan Pounders and C Ethan Miner will anchor this unit, and two other talented transfers, guards Jacoby Jackson and Marlon Martinez, will also compete for starting roles. Albert Reese IV brings some versatility, and Leon Bell flashed last season. There are some questions about depth after the top group, however.

There’s a good mix of solid veterans and promising young pieces along the DL. DE De’Monte Russell is the leader of the group, and fellow end Deonte Anderson will be a major factor too. UNC transfer DT Kedrick Bingley-Jones got praise in the spring, and young interior lineman Trevion Williams and Kalvin Dinkins now get their chance to showcase their high ceilings. The question is if State can actually get more of a pass rush up front this fall.

RB is a spot that I feel more confident in after the spring. Jeffery Pittman and JUCO-transfer Johnnie Daniels were both impressive in the spring game, and Keyvone Lee reportedly had a good spring as well. But the biggest boost is from Utah State transfer Davon Booth, an explosive rusher who thrived in this same offense last season for the Aggies. The lone question is whether or not a true bell cow exists in this room that MSU can lean on.

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Is MSU finally going to get good production from a TE? Seydou Traore is finally eligible after sitting out last season, and he looks like the first major receiving threat at the position State has seen in ages. Vandy transfer Justin Ball impressed in the spring game, and his younger brother Cam was highly-rated transfer. Still, until we actually see a Bulldog TE make an impact in the fall, I can’t rank them too highly.

Here’s what I can say for the safety room: you’ve at got some experienced pieces there with Corey Ellington and Jordan Morant and at least one truly high ceiling guy in Issac Smith. The issue is you don’t have anyone that’s proven to be a high-level SEC player to this point. Can the veterans step up and Smith play to his recruiting profile? Can a new face like Tyler Woodard become a star? I think the options here are at least serviceable, but I’m not certain this unit will shine.

The recent add of transfer Montre Miller makes me slightly better, but I don’t have much confidence in the CB room as it stands currently. Traveon Wright looked solid in the spring game, but he was pretty much the only guy who did. Can Brice Pollock build off taking some lumps as a freshman? Hopefully. And perhaps Brylan Lanier’s experience gives State a good option at nickel. But there’s little proven with this group, and I’m not sure there are many high ceilings either.



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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 25, 2026

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Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for June 25, 2026


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The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at June 25, 2026, results for each game:

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Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from June 25 drawing

01-06-09-13-23

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 25 drawing

Midday: 3-3-8, FB: 5

Evening: 4-0-8, FB: 7

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

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Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 25 drawing

Midday: 2-8-3-2, FB: 5

Evening: 5-0-3-2, FB: 7

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 25 drawing

Midday: 01

Evening: 07

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Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Story continues below gallery.

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.

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Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

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If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

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Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.

When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?

  • Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
  • Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
  • Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.



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Mississippi Legislature will talk school choice, redistricting in 2027

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Mississippi Legislature will talk school choice, redistricting in 2027


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  • Mississippi state leaders are preparing for the 2027 governor’s race by outlining their legislative priorities.
  • Redistricting legislative and congressional maps is a top priority for the upcoming legislative session.
  • Lawmakers are divided on education reform, with some favoring school choice and others focusing on public school funding.
  • Republican leaders agree on the need to reduce the size of state government, though they propose different methods.

PHILADELPHIA — When asked about his campaign plans for the statewide elections in November 2027, Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann has avoided giving a straight answer. Usually, he tells the media that his next focus is a long checklist of priorities to tackle next legislative session.

The governor’s race next year, the first this decade without term-limited incumbent Gov. Tate Reeves, is rumored to feature a crowded field. For current officeholders, even those who don’t work directly with the state Legislature, the bills that they can endorse and urge across the finish line are often the feathers in their cap touted on the campaign trail.

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During the two days of political speaking at the Neshoba County Fair, Hosemann and other state leaders gave attendees a clearer view of what their goals are for those 60 days of debate.

Redistricting

One of the priorities common to most speakers was legislative and congressional redistricting in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision that prohibited drawing voting districts on the basis of race. Reeves initially called a special session on redistricting, specifically regarding the state Supreme Court districts, but he later canceled it.

The governor opted to cancel the session, he said, because Mississippi had already had its primary. Instead, he charged Hosemann and House Speaker Jason White, the leaders of each chamber, with navigating the process during the next legislative session.

Through their redistricting committees, both said at the Neshoba County Fair, they are preparing to do exactly that.

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“The Democrats used [prior Supreme Court rulings] to make sure they elected Democrats and not the people that you wanted. Now the Supreme Court has changed that, and we’re back to ground one where we should be,” Hosemann said. “We’ve appointed a committee, they’ll be out in Mississippi … looking at who do you want to represent you and how is your district to be set up? It’s coming back to the people where it was before, where it should be today.”

Mississippi Rep. Scott Bounds and Sen. Lane Taylor, both of whom represent the Neshoba County area, are on their respective redistricting committees. Both promised that redistricting is among the first issues that the Legislature plans to take up in January, with Bounds adding that the focus is on redrawing the state legislative districts.

“I believe the best way to enact common sense, conservative policies is by electing Republicans to office,” Jason White said. “The Mississippi House of Representatives stands for that, and we will examine redistricting and elect more Republicans to local, state and federal offices.”

Reeves confirmed that he “would not be surprised” if there is a special session before the next legislative session begins in January, but that even without it, the Legislature “would definitely have redistricting done” before the statewide elections in November 2027. Reeves has the power to call a special session at any point.

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K-12 and higher education

Hosemann and White took, if not opposite perspectives, then at least different approaches to improving the state’s public and higher education systems.

White’s primary focus, he said in his speech, lays again with school choice. He told the crowd that, while lawmakers were still drafting legislation, Mississippians could expect to see a similar attempt this upcoming year as representatives put forward in January.

“I think you’ll see most statewide candidates for governor fully endorsing the idea of school choice and pushing it forward. I think the reason they will do that is because they’re smart, they’ve been polling, they’re spending their money to see what issues are important to people,” White said after giving his speech. “They’re finding out that when you get outside of the room and have a real conversation with parents, they want those choices.”

The 500-page, sweeping bill from last year primarily proposed using state money to fund vouchers for students to attend private and charter schools. It passed the House, where it originated, in a narrow vote before getting a resounding “no” vote in the Senate education committee.

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“I wish the Senate would come forward and say, ‘Look, we don’t want to go through all that again. Here’s what we would do,’” White said. “I wish there would be a way to find a win-win, but to this point, they’ve been unwilling to have a conversation. That makes it tough politics for me when they’re unwilling to even have a conversation.”

Hosemann has loudly opposed state-funded vouchers, and he took the dais to advocate for more funding in public schools. One of his education priorities for the next year, he told the crowd, was opening more special-purpose schools for children with disabilities and developmental disorders such as autism.

Where Hosemann and White have agreed is that Mississippi’s education systems are bloated. Hosemann spoke specifically about higher education, telling reporters after his speech that some institutions graduate fewer than 25% of their enrollment. He touted the benefits of performance-based funding in ensuring that schools are motivated to educate high-performing students, and Mississippians could likely see changes to the funding formula in 2027.

White has largely focused, for the moment, on K-12 public schools. He formed a committee on school consolidation that has zeroed in on small schools and districts, and top officials with the state education department have asked for the Legislature to draft a framework for closing schools in the coming years.

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How big should the government be?

Maybe the only thing that every Republican speaker agreed on was that Mississippi’s government needs to be smaller, but they phrased reform in different ways.

Reeves promoted artificial intelligence that makes workflows more efficient and decreases the number of state employees needed to do a certain job. White urged the government to decrease property taxes, because the burden makes property owners “feel like they rent the property that they own.”

Hosemann pointed to a Senate committee on efficiency and transparency that has moved to eliminate 17 government committees and boards he described as useless. White formed a similar special committee on government efficiency that has met over the summer to weigh cost-cutting measures.

While details on which departments could be downsized and precise estimates of potential savings have not been publicly outlined, nearly every state official, member of the Legislature and candidate who spoke at the Neshoba County Fair promised significant reform next session.

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Bea Anhuci is the state government reporter for the Clarion Ledger. She has covered Mississippi politics since the start of 2026. Email her at banhuci@usatodayco.com.



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Where to see fireworks and celebrate Fourth of July in, near Jackson

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Where to see fireworks and celebrate Fourth of July in, near Jackson



Celebrate the Fourth of July at these free events with fireworks displays in the Jackson area.

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Independence Day is always an exciting holiday in Mississippi with burgers and hot dogs sizzling on the grill and the dazzling displays of fireworks.

This year is even more special as America celebrates its 250th birthday. It is a celebration of a milestone not to be missed and the fireworks displays will be spectacular.

If you live in the Jackson area there are plenty of events to choose from and not all of them are on Saturday, July 4, so you can go and enjoy more than one. To make them even better, the events are free.

So, here are some of the area events that include fireworks where you can celebrate America 250.

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Jackson Fireworks Extravaganza

  • When: 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 1
  • Where: Smith Wills Stadium, 1200 Lakeland Drive, Jackson
  • Admission: Free

The City of Jackson is hosting its Fireworks Extravaganza starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, at Smith Wills Stadium.

Before the fireworks, guests can enjoy local food vendors and live entertainment. The event also will include a kid zone with water slides, bounce houses, face painting and games.

Independence Celebration at The Rez

  • When: Saturday, June 27, 5-9 p.m.
  • Where: Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park
  • Admission: Free

Celebrate Independence Day Rez-style at the Ross Barnett Reservoir. The event takes place the Saturday before the Fourth of July at Bobby Cleveland Park at Lakeshore and Old Trace Park.

Live music, kid zones, food vendors and beer will be on hand. Fireworks begin at 9 p.m. No outside coolers are allowed.

Freedom Fest

  • When: 6 to 10 p.m., Friday, July 3
  • Where: Brandon Amphitheater, 8190 Rock Way, Brandon
  • Admission: Free

Brandon’s complimentary Freedom Fest will be a kick-off to the holiday weekend celebrations. The event will include inflatables for the kids, a Cornhole tournament, face painting, food trucks and will close with a patriotic concert and fireworks display.

Red, White and Blue Fest

  • When: 4 p.m., Saturday, July 4
  • Where: Soccer Row, Traceway Park, Clinton
  • Admission: Free

The 36th annual Red, White and Blue Fest in Clinton starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 4.

Local live music, food and games lead up to the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. Live music performances include blues prodigy John Clayton White at 5:30 p.m. and The Fountain City Players at 7:15 p.m.

Brian Broom has been reporting on and photographing Mississippi for more than 35 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

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