Mississippi

Where Mississippi State football has improved — and has work to do — in transfer portal

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

Where Mississippi State football has improved — and has work to do — in transfer portal

STARKVILLE — Coaching changes, whether they be at a powerhouse such as Alabama or a Group of Five program like James Madison, have proven to carry plenty of roster turnover with them. Mississippi State football is no exception, with coach Jeff Lebby looking to revamp a program fresh off snapping a 13-year bowl streak.

In his introductory press conference on Nov. 27, Lebby noted the importance of addressing needs in the transfer portal – including at quarterback with Will Rogers departing after four seasons.

But for the former Oklahoma offensive coordinator, retooling MSU extended beyond his side of the ball. Mississippi State lost key starters on defense, ranging from linebackers Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson – who combined for 267 tackles in 2023 – to defensive backs Decamerion Richardson and Shawn Preston Jr.

The Bulldogs, with the nation’s No. 36 transfer class, according to 247Sports, will look much different as a result of the moves.

Here’s how we graded MSU’s portal additions so far, and where we think the Bulldogs can improve in the post-spring portal cycle.

Quarterback: B-

Lebby has never been a head coach, but if he’s earned the benefit of the doubt in one category, it’s quarterback evaluation. If he’s confident Baylor transfer Blake Shapen can be the guy for MSU, and Lebby spoke glowingly of him a month ago, there should be some faith there there.

In 27 games across three seasons with the Bears, Shapen threw for 5,574 yards and 36 touchdowns. He isn’t at the level of other portal choices like Dillon Gabriel or DJ Uiagalelei, but he seems to be a serviceable option alongside Mike Wright, Chris Parson and incoming freshman Michael Van Buren.

Running back: N/A

Despite losing starter Jo’Quavious Marks to Southern Cal, Mississippi State didn’t add any running backs.

The Bulldogs appear to be content with their returning players for now, led by Jeffery Pittman and Keyvone Lee while Seth Davis’ availability remains in question following an injury in the Egg Bowl. Lebby also spoke highly of junior college signee Johnnie Daniels.

Wide receiver: A-

The Bulldogs brought in a pair of receivers in Kevin Coleman and Kelly Akharaiyi – two players who have shown promise at their previous stops.

Akharaiyi’s 1,033 receiving yards ranked 19^th in the nation last season, and his 21.52 yards per reception ranked fourth. He also hauled in seven touchdowns with UTEP. Coleman had 26 catches for 362 yards at Louisville last season. While at Jackson State in 2022, he was the SWAC Freshman of the Year.

Tight end: C+

MSU added the Ball brothers, Cam and Justin, to address the hole at tight end. Mississippi State didn’t use the position from 2020-22 during Mike Leach’s tenure, and it struggled to establish consistency at tight end in 2023.

Finding experienced players, with Cam Ball appearing in 10 games for Buffalo last season and Justin Ball starting 12 games while serving as a team captain with Vanderbilt, is a step forward.

Offensive line: B+

Between exhausted eligibility and transfers, MSU lost most of its production along the offensive line the last two months. However, the portal brought promise with four additions.

North Texas transfer Ethan Miner was graded among the top centers last season. Makylan Pounders, a Memphis transfer, was among the top prospects in the 2021 class pursued by MSU and Ole Miss. Jacoby Jackson (Texas Tech) and Marlon Martinez (LSU) have the tangibles to suggest they could be quality options.

Defensive line: D

Mississippi State didn’t stoop below the Power Five level to find players along the defensive line, adding North Carolina’s Kedrick Bingley-Jones, Sulaiman Kpaka from Purdue and Wilky Denaud from Auburn.

However, that trio hasn’t provided much production at the collegiate level yet. For all the successful defensive linemen from MSU now in the NFL, the Bulldogs have struggled to find an instant-impact pass rusher during the portal era.

Linebacker: B

Despite what it’s losing at linebacker, Mississippi State retained starting options while making one portal addition. Stone Blanton, who was previously an MSU baseball commit, is transferring back to his home state after starting 12 games for South Carolina last season.

RECRUITING NEWS: Jeramiah McCloud commits to Mississippi State football, Jeff Lebby’s 2025 recruiting class

Defensive back: D

MSU hasn’t done much so far at corner or safety. The best move may have been convincing safety Corey Ellington, who started in seven of the 12 games he appeared in last season, to take his name out of the transfer portal.

Memphis transfer Tre Wright has been the lone addition at corner. The secondary could be a top priority in the next cycle.

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at skrajisnik@gannett.com or follow him on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter, @skrajisnik3.

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Mississippi

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 13, 2025

Published

8 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Press Room

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 13, 2025

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 13, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

04-09-11-23-35

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

Midday: 6-7-0, FB: 4

Evening: 4-3-9, FB: 5

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

Midday: 3-1-6-2, FB: 4

Evening: 8-7-3-9, FB: 5

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 13 drawing

Midday: 15

Evening: 15

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.

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

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

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

Mississippi Lottery Mississippi Match 5, Cash 3 results for Dec. 12, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Press Room

The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 12, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mississippi Match 5 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

12-14-17-25-27

Check Mississippi Match 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 3 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Midday: 0-1-2, FB: 3

Evening: 4-2-3, FB: 6

Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 4 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Midday: 2-7-9-1, FB: 3

Evening: 7-3-4-5, FB: 6

Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 12 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 04

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.

Mississippi Lottery Corporation

P.O. Box 321462

Flowood, MS

39232

Mississippi Lottery Headquarters

1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100

Flowood, MS

39232

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

7 top recruits to watch in Saturday’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic

Published

2 days ago

December 12, 2025

Press Room

7 top recruits to watch in Saturday’s Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic

Many of the future stars of college football will be competing in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Classic on Saturday afternoon on the campus of the University of Southern Miss in Hattiesburg.

Alabama Crimson Tide signees are expected to be among the headliners, with six total players (four for Alabama, two for Mississippi) competing in the game. Auburn’s representation was greatly reduced by injuries. The Tigers are left with one player representing Alabama after Saraland receiver DeShawn Spencer, Wadley linebacker Jaquez Wilkes and Petal defensive lineman Corey Wells were late scratches from the game.

Best in Bama Top 50

Players from the game are headed to four of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoffs, including Oregon, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Alabama.

The game will kick off at noon on Saturday and will be broadcast across the state on Alabama Public Television.

Here are seven players to be on the lookout for during the matchup.

ALABAMA

CD Morgan, wide receiver, Benjamin Russell (jersey No. 1)

There likely will not be a player on the field who looks more SEC-ready than the 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide receiver. Are the comparisons to former Foley, Alabama and NFL star Julio Jones fair? This will be the biggest stage so far for Morgan to begin justifying the lofty and unfair comparisons.

DJ Broughton, tight end, Mary G. Montgomery, (No. 15)

Broughton was one of the catalysts for a remarkable turnaround for Class 7A Mary G. Montgomery, along with all-star teammate and Mississippi State signee Kaleb Morris (No. 0).

After being a longtime commit to South Florida, Broughton will forever be remembered as the first Auburn commit of the Alex Golesh era.

EJ Crowell, running back, Jackson, (No. 13)

The hype could not be any higher for Crowell, who is the most celebrated back to sign with the Crimson Tide since Derrick Henry. Like Henry, Crowell will have to learn the nuances of the position before becoming a major contributor in college. But the talent when Crowell has the ball in his hands is undeniable.

Brock Bradley, quarterback, Spain Park, (No. 7)

The Alabama squad should be in good shape with two pocket-passer quarterbacks who are athletic enough to make plays on the run. Bradley is a longtime pledge to the Clemson Tigers. He will share the position with his future in-state rival Landon Duckworth (No. 3), who will play for South Carolina after leading Jackson to back-to-back state championships.

Mhari Johnson, defensive lineman, Muscle Shoals, (No. 9)

The 6-foot-4, 275-pound defensive lineman was a catalyst for one of the stiffest defenses in the state at Muscle Shoals. He could be a strong candidate for early playing time with the Crimson Tide.

While Johnson is expected to be one of the top playmakers on the defensive line, look for Central-Phenix City linebacker and Jacksonville State signee Tristan Lyle (No. 19) and Gadsden City defensive back and Alabama signee Zyan Gibson (No. 5) to also be defensive leaders.

MISSISSIPPI

JJ Hill, running back, Tupelo (No. 0)

Hill is the younger brother of Alabama’s Daniel Hill. Both are bruising backs. The younger Hill is 25 pounds lighter than his brother, but he’s still listed at 6-feet, 220 pounds. Hill will share the backfield with Gulfport’s Cooper Crosby (No. 6). Crosby was likely headed for Auburn before the Tigers made a coaching change. He will now play for Mississippi State. Tupelo and Gulfport squared off in a wild state championship game a week ago, with Gulfport scoring on a Hail Mary pass and extra point at the end of the game to win. Now the two backs who starred in that game will be all-star teammates before playing together at Mississippi State.

Bryson Cooley, offensive lineman, West Jones (jersey No. 63)

Securing Cooley late in the recruiting process was a huge win for Alabama. He is one of two future Tide players on the Mississippi roster, joining defensive lineman Nolan Smith (No. 34) of Picayune Memorial.

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