Mississippi
What the outlook is for next generation of Mississippi State football defense
Watch as Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby speaks after preseason practice
Watch a part of what Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby discussed after his first preseason practice in Starkville.
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football defensive back Hunter Washington says he and his defensive teammates coined a phrase brought in by coaches in the offseason: Chew the elephant.
The statement is described as taking one bite at a time — in this case, on the field.
“Just taking it one day at a time,” he said. “Just focus on one part and build it as as we go.”
MSU and Washington are abiding by that expression as the Bulldogs approach their season opener at home Aug. 31 (5 p.m. CT, SEC Network+) against Eastern Kentucky.
Last season, MSU ranked sixth in total defense in the SEC, averaging 350.58 yards and 35 touchdowns allowed per game.
MSU defensive backs see solid secondary
Washington had a sense of realization after the Bulldogs finished the 2023 season 5-7 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2009. He took a step back and understood his role in the secondary: focusing on the team more than himself.
“To help my team to a higher standard and pushing my teammates to the next level,” he said. “I’m here to help people out and also focus on me, but I put the team before me.”
Washington is entering his third season at MSU and has nine tackles in 14 games combined — he was injured the second half of last season — after transferring from Florida State in 2021.
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With transfers and newcomers, he has lauded the improvement in the secondary from the spring.
“I like to praise the young guys because it was hard when you first get to college and stuff like that,” he said. “But they really took a step forward, coming up to this fall camp. So I’m really proud of them.
“All (the defensive backs) been better. We’ve been coming in as one group, and our goal is to go to the best.”
Washington said that across the line, having a strong receivers core helps them during practice, and the defensive backs are taking advantage of that.
“It makes us better,” he said. “Going against speed receivers or tight ends, we got all types of threats. I like the offense as well.”
Linebacker core aims to replicate last season’s success
The duo of Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson was MSU’s main highlight last fall. Watson — who had a career 137 tackles and was named first-team All-SEC last season — was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in April in the sixth round. Jett Johnson, who had a career 130 tackles, was named second-team All-SEC and has worked out for the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent.
But linebackers Stone Blanton and John Lewis know they’re at the helm of the defense this fall.
“Our defense is young, but we have a lot of experience in there, with a lot of new guys coming in with a lot of talent,” said Blanton, who transferred from South Carolina and had 52 tackles. “The linebacker room is full of talent . . . We got ballers in there, so I’m just super excited to play this season.”
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Lewis, who recorded 20 tackles last season, is expecting a defense that has a lot of energy from defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler, but no one is more enthusiastic than Blanton.
“He’d be loud every day,” Lewis said. “So if I need somebody to count on to pick me up, it’ll be Stone.”
The two are the presumed starters at linebacker. Coach Jeff Lebby also has brought in junior college transfer Branden Jennings.
Michael Chavez covers high school sports, among others, for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at mchavez@gannett.com or reach out to him on X, formerly Twitter @MikeSChavez.
Tennessee is recruiting toward its 2029 football signing class. The Vols offered a scholarship to 2029 wide receiver Matthew Fletcher.
“Blessed to receive an offer (from) the University of Tennessee,” Fletcher announced.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pound wide receiver is from Central Hinds Academy in Raymond, Mississippi. He does not have rankings from 247Sports.
Ole Miss was the first school to offer a scholarship to Fletcher. Other schools to offer him scholarships are Akron, LSU, Mississippi State, Tuskegee, Jacksonville State, Hinds Community College and Jackson State.
Tennessee does not have a commitment for its 2028 and 2029 recruiting class.
The Vols have 13 commitments for their 2027 recruiting class: linebacker JP Peace, offensive tackle Princeton Uwaifo, defensive lineman Kadin Fife, quarterback Derrick Baker, athlete Jaden Butler, wide receiver KeSean Bowman, defensive back Carter Jamison, defensive back Brandon Leavell, tight end Malik Howard, defensive lineman Christian Mays, cornerback Dylan Haley, long snapper Sam McKeown and kicker Ford Fehling.
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Only in Starkville,
Know when to call 911 and know when to call a non-emergency number
Knowing when to call 911 and when to use a non-emergency number can save lives. Avoid diverting resources needed in actual emergencies.
Court records show all five suspects charged in the shooting death of a former Mississippi college football player, Idarrious Iantron “D.D.” Bowie, pleaded not guilty June 9 during their initial court appearance in Rankin County.
Ladarious J. Harrison, 18, Dominick Sanabria, 19, Semiko Crump, 46, Kaylee Trimble, 18, and Michael Mitchell, 19, all face charges in the June 5 shooting death of Bowie, 27, of Lena.
Harrison and Sanabria both face a murder charge. Crump, Trimble and Mitchell face an accessory after the fact of murder charge.
Not guilty pleas have been entered into court records for all five suspects.
Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey said Bowie was shot multiple times in the front yard of a residence in the 100 block of Adams Road. Bowie later died from his injuries.
According to previous Clarion Ledger reporting, Bowie was a former four-star wide receiver and MHSAA’s Mr. Football 3A who played a big part in Morton’s success as a quarterback and wide receiver. Bowie was a 2016 Dandy Dozen player.
Originally signing with Ole Miss as its top prospect, Bowie left the Rebels for personal reasons in 2018 and then signed with Northeast Mississippi Community College. For the 2019 football season, Bowie joined Jackson State University as a wide receiver.
Court documents state Sanabria and Harrison got into a verbal argument with Bowie which led to the shooting.
Below are more details regarding what each suspect is accused of related to the murder:
Ladarious James Harrison, 18
Rankin County Court Judge David Morrow denied bond for Harrison, who is accused of shooting Bowie multiple times while in the front yard of the home on Adams Road. If convicted, Harrison faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
At the time of shooting, court records state Harrison was on bond for an attempted murder charge for a 2025 shooting in Rankin County. His bond conditions required GPS monitoring.
Court records reveal investigators obtained GPS records which show Harrison “was at the location during the time of the shooting.”
“During an interview with Harrison, he stated that he heard a gunshot and then took off running. He denied any involvement in the death of Idarrious Iantron Bowie,” court records state.
Dominick Delricco Sanabria, 19
Judge Morrow denied bond for Sanabria, who is also accused of shooting Bowie multiple times while in the front yard of the Adams Road home. If convicted, Sanabria faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
According to court records, Sanabria surrendered himself at the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department.
Court documents state while being interviewed, Sanabria said he and other individuals traveled to Adams Road. Upon arrival, a verbal altercation occurred.
Sanabria told investigators he did have a gun on him during the argument but “did not intend to use the firearm.”
“But when the altercation escalated, (Sanabria) and Bowie were fighting over control of the gun when it discharged wounding Bowie,” the court filing states.
After the initial discharge of the gun, Sanabria told investigators, “Bowie began running away at which time Harrison fired multiple rounds striking the victim.”
Semiko Nakuna Crump, 46
Judge Morrow denied bond for Crump, who is accused of assisting Harrison and Sanabria “knowing they had feloniously shot another person with the intent to enable them to avoid arrest.”
Court records state a Toyota Camry, used to transport the suspects to the crime scene, later arrived at a residence on Cherry Bark Drive in Brandon. Investigators said at the residence, Crump came out of the garage.
Court filings state Crump allowed men to enter the residence through the garage “at which time she begins looking down the street as if she is filling the role of a lookout.”
At some point later, the Toyota Camry leaves the residence.
“Crump continues her lookout behavior for several minutes which is evidenced by her walking back and forth from the front of the residence toward the roadway and looking down the street,” court records state.
During the time of the shooting, Crump was out on felony bond for trafficking-controlled substances in a correctional facility.
If convicted, Crump faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Kaylee Dewanna Trimble, 18
Judge Morrow set Trimble’s bond at $500,000. Trimble, the daughter of Crump, had no previous criminal history.
Trimble was required to wear a GPS monitor and have no contact with the victim’s family or co-defendants.
Trimble is accused of assisting Harrison and Sanabria “knowing they had feloniously shot another person with the intent to enable them to avoid arrest.”
“During an interview with Kaylee Trimble, she stated that Dominick Delricco Sanabria came to her house and stated that he was robbed and believed he was shot in the leg. She stated that they then left the residence and went to an address in Jackson, MS,” court records state. “Trimble was taken into custody at this time.”
After that statement, investigators went to the Rankin County Jail and photographed Sanabria’s leg.
Court documents state investigators “noticed red marks that Sanabria stated that he sustained during a struggle over the firearm with Bowie.”
If convicted, Trimble faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Michael Jerome Mitchell, 19
Judge Morrow set Mitchell’s bond at $500,000. Mitchell was also required to wear a GPS monitor and have no contact with the victim’s family or co-defendants.
According to investigators, witnesses told authorities during interviews that Mitchell was at the scene of the shooting.
Mitchell is accused of assisting Harrison and Sanabria “knowing they had feloniously shot another person with the intent to enable them to avoid arrest.”
Investigators said they were unable to find Mitchell and the Toyota Camry used to transport the suspects to the crime scene, the vehicle’s tag was listed on a “hot list as being a wanted subject.”
Court documents state officers with the Flowood Police Department located the Toyota Camry on June 6, “being driven by Michael Mitchell.”
The vehicle was towed to the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, and Mitchell was taken into custody and transported to the Rankin County Adult Detention Center.
If convicted, Mitchell faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Pam Dankins is the breaking news reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Have a tip? Email her at pdankins@gannett.com.
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