STARKVILLE — The transfer portal is closed, meaning most of Mississippi State football’s transfer moves are complete.

The deadline for players to notify their school of an intention to transfer was Jan. 16. The schools have two business days to enter the players into the transfer portal, so some entries could still trickle in. But for the most part, the 2026 roster is set.

However, transfers can still commit and sign with the portal closed. The Bulldogs have added 21 transfers as of Jan. 17. They are still in pursuit of more transfers, including one of the top players in the portal.

Here’s where Mississippi State made its biggest gains from the transfer portal and what last-minute needs remain.

Mississippi State football transfer portal ranking

Mississippi State’s transfer class ranks No. 33 nationally and No. 15 in the SEC, according to 247Sports. The rankings only include players gained and not players lost. Mississippi State has done a better job retaining its starters this portal cycle than last season.

The 2024 transfer class ranked No. 45 nationally in coach Jeff Lebby’s first season. The 2025 class was ranked No. 18, but it had 34 commitments.

Mississippi State secondary vastly improved in transfer portal

The secondary projects to be Mississippi State’s most improved aspect for the 2026 season.

First, MSU kept No. 1 cornerback Kelley Jones, who could’ve left early for the NFL draft. Then, the Bulldogs signed three cornerbacks, highlighted by Iowa State starter Quentin Taylor Jr.

At safety, Isaac Smith is also returning for his senior season. MSU signed two experienced safeties from SEC schools in Oklahoma’s Kendel Dolby and LSU’s Jardin Gilbert. Rice transfer Marcus Williams had 67 tackles this season.

Mississippi State has not signed a linebacker, but that was not a prioritized position in the transfer portal.

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Mississippi State OL better even if Jordan Seaton isn’t added

Mississippi State is only projected to return two starters on the offensive line next season: center Canon Boone and tackle Jayvin Q. James. Boone had his eligibility waiver approved to return for a sixth season due to injuries, according to his dad. Blake Steen, who started at right tackle in Week 1 but suffered a season-ending injury, has eligibility to return, too.

Otherwise, the offensive line will look much different, which might not be a bad thing for a group that struggled, especially in the second half of the season.

Colorado offensive tackle Jordan Seaton is ranked by 247Sports as the No. 1 non-quarterback in the transfer portal. He reportedly visited MSU before taking a visit to Miami. Seaton has not committed as of Jan. 17 but has a connection to MSU offensive line coach Phil Loadholt, who was at Colorado in 2024.

Mississippi State already has gotten seven offensive linemen from the transfer portal, but none of them were starters this season. Seven offensive linemen have transferred out. Zack Owens and Jimothy Lewis Jr. were the only outgoing transfers to start multiple games in 2025.

Who is Mississippi State’s highest-ranked player added in portal?