Just spent the spring at Maryland. The previous two seasons at Akron:

Another OL addition:

Third OL addition this spring. Smith is a center, converted from guard:

Guys, my apologies. I thought we'd already posted about it, but Friday, State got a transfer from TE Max Reese, from Eastern Michigan. Here's the story:

BIG time get here for Chris Jans. Bit of a down season this past one, but averaged 18.5 points per game two seasons ago at Georgetown. This will undoubtedly be the guy Jans gives the keys to at point guard:

One of the emerging EDGE prospects in Florida is high on the Bulldogs and has already been on campus

Previously announced that State would play in KC in the Hall of Fame Classic. But full field announced: State, Nebraska, Kansas St and New Mexico:
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Virginia offensive tackle Blake Steen, the younger brother of former Alabama and current Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen, committed to Mississippi State on Thursday afternoon.

This is a massive recruiting win for Jeff Lebby and company. Steen can slide in at right tackle and add some much-needed physicality to the unit. I still feel like tackles Jimothy Lewis and Luke Work are both good enough to be in the starting five though, so we might see more movement as far as who’s lining up where. For example..

LT: Jimothy Lewis
LG: Luke Work / Jacoby Jackson
C: Carson Lee / Canon Boone
RG: Albert Reese / Canon Boone
RT: Blake Steen

It’s also possible for Steen to play guard, but I doubt he’ll start off there. This feels more like a move to solidify one of the tackle spots that was in need of more quality depth, even after adding Purdue transfer Jaekwon Bouldin on Thursday. Here’s more info on Steen:

-6-5, 328
-1,202 snaps, 18 starts last 2 years
-Also played LT, RG (sparingly)
-Quality run blocker 📈
-49 pressures last two years 📉

One thing is for sure… this type of move was needed. It still might not be a great group (or at least not yet), but it’s significantly better than it was. There’s room for this unit to climb as they gel too. Great job by Lebby and the rest of the staff for getting this done. They’d continue to move this group on the right direction if they could find a way to close on an interior guy such as former Florida State/Alabama guard Terrence Ferguson or former Penn State guard JB Nelson, who were brought in on visits Wednesday.

At that point, you’d have at least three, potentially four starting caliber options at tackle (Lewis, Work, Steen and potentially Reese) and at least six starting caliber interior options (Ferguson/Nelson, Reese, Jackson, Boone, Lee and potentially Work). You could probably even include Koby Keenum in that conversation too.

It’s being reported by On3 that offensive guards TJ Ferguson (Florida State) JB Nelson (Penn State) are expected to visit Starkville on Wednesday. Here’s some info on both of those guys:

TJ Ferguson
State seems to be having transfer success with other former Alabama players such as Jamil Burroughs and Tony Mitchell. Ferguson would add more competition on the interior.

• Snaps: 662 (640 LG, 22 RG)
• Starts: 8 (7 at FSU, 1 at Alabama)
• Games played: 23

Up and down pass pro and was surprisingly ineffective as a run blocker this past season, but Lebby’s offense could be a nice fit for him. Capable competition for Jacoby Jackson at LG would really help the OL. Listed at 6-4, 330.

JB Nelson
Played three seasons at Penn State and was even an eight game starter (417 snaps) in 2023. Has given up 18 pressures and two sacks in 770 career snaps (365 pass blocking snaps) with 11 of those pressures (and one of the sack) coming during that 2023 season.

Career snaps by position:

• LT: 44
• LG: 686 (8 starts)
• RG: 28
• RT: 11

Nelson is actually a serviceable player who could do extremely well in Starkville. His problem at Penn State was the return of Olaivavega Ioane (preseason All-American) and promising young guard Cooper Cousins, who many believe has a chance to emerge as one of the best players at his position after playing close to 200 snaps last season. Listed at 6-5, 326.

Was at Purdue last season but didn't play:

Right here: