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.

Right here:

Was at Purdue last season but didn't play:

Our friend Sam Spiegelman with a really good breakdown of some of the top visitors for State from the weekend:

I’m in Davis Wade Stadium getting ready to watch the spring game set for noon CT. Will only be about an hour long, but this will be the first and only opportunity to get some real personnel intel this spring.

I’ll be sharing some initial observations in here. Then I’ll be back later this evening to go a little bit more in depth about what I think it all means. Looking forward to some live football.

Thoughts from today’s scrimmage/game:

-The offensive line was split up with Jeff Lebby saying that’d be the plan (with every position) so guys could play alongside teammates they maybe hadn’t seen as many reps with this spring. It also helps prevent any attempts at depth chart projections, I suppose (lol). Anyways, the Maroon team OL for the first snap was as follows: Luke Work (LT), Trevor Mayberry (LG), Carson Lee (C), Canon Boone (RG) and Saquon Miles (RT). Meanwhile, the White OL consisted of Jakheem Shumpert (LT), Jacoby Jackson (LG), Kolby Keenum (C), Wesley Davis (RG) and Jimothy Lewis (RT).

-Call it a hunch, but I still believe the current projected lineup on the OL includes Work (LT), Jackson (LG), Lee (C), Boone (RG) and Lewis (RT). Work and Lewis received praise from Lebby following the game, but depth behind those two at tackle remains a concern. Miles is an above-average mover with intriguing physical traits, but both he and Shumpert were overpowered on multiple occasions today and looked like they were still thinking too much. Obviously, this is all a work in progress, but I’m not sure either will be ready enough to even be OT3 come the fall. More competition is needed from the transfer portal, and another IOL would also be useful for competition purposes. I still think the right interior guy could push for a starting job, but I’m moreso worried about the depth. I do want to point out that building an OL requires time and chemistry, so mixing all of them up today could be a contributing factor for some of the struggles. That said, Lebby has mentioned it being a problem all spring, so I’ll take his word for it.

-State’s defensive front isn’t a finished product by any means, but it does seem lightyears ahead of where it was a season ago. A lot of SEC caliber bodies with a good mix of skillsets. The two most impressive today were probably Jamil Burroughs and Deonte Anderson. Despite being 330, Burroughs is still a guy they’re letting play over a tackle in those three-man fronts like he did some at Alabama. I had wondered if he still had the athleticism and movement to handle that type of responsibility at his size, but he moved extremely well and was fairly disruptive in both three and four-man fronts (playing over a guard in the four-down looks). I was a big fan of his potential at Alabama, and surprisingly, I didn’t see a guy who was rusty after not playing in 2024. He’s trending towards being a significant part of State’s defense this season.

-Anderson was another pleasant surprise along the DL. I mean, he’s played almost 700 snaps with five starts over the past two seasons, so I guess it wasn’t overly surprising, but his power profile really jumped out at me today. I saw him blow Shumpert into the backfield on one run early on, and then he did the same to Jacoby Jackson on a third-and-long before shedding the block and touching KaMario Taylor down for a sack. Now sitting at 6-3, 280, Anderson is a perfect hybrid end for both three and four-man fronts. Going into today, I would’ve told you Trevion Williams was my top candidate for a breakout season along that defensive line. After today, I might lean Anderson. I don’t necessarily think his skillset is going to result in a high number of pressures or sacks, but I do think he can be a strong complementary piece to the pass rush with surprisingly effective pocket collapsing ability.

-Lebby mentioned four names at off-ball linebacker following the scrimmage: Jalen Smith, Zakari Tillman, Nic Mitchell and Derion Gullette. He talked about how they can run four-deep at that position, which is a noticeable difference compared to a season ago. And from what I saw today, I believe him. Smith had a game-high 5.5 tackles, but they all flashed with their speed, size and athleticism. I’d probably view Gullette as LB4 amongst that group because he’s still in need of some development, but they’re all going to contribute in a major way this fall.

-Safety Isaac Smith continued to work with the linebackers in warmups, but he’s moreso going to be a versatile chess piece who’s likely going to move all over the place in this defense. He is manning that Star nickel position, after all. Coleman Hutzler’s background at Alabama saw that position essentially become a hybrid nickel DB/strong-side LB replacement. So you need a guy who has some man-to-man cover traits for the slot, but you also need a strong box player who can mix things up and sometimes even come up and set the edge against the run. Guys such as Smith (and Tony Mitchell) provide that combination, especially now that he’s 220. I even noticed that he was lining up as a true 4-3 strong-side LB some today, so don’t be surprised when he’s used in a variety of roles this upcoming season. You’re even going to see him screaming off the edge some, I’d imagine. Should probably expect more negative yardage plays from him too.

-KaMario Taylor is special. There’s no other way to put it. I knew he was a premier athlete with rare rushing ability, and I also knew he had excellent arm talent, but I wasn’t expecting him to be this far along as far as managing and commanding the offense. He never looked overwhelmed to me, and he threw with anticipation and timing that allowed his receivers to have post-catch opportunities. He continued to work as QB3 behind veteran Blake Shapen and Florida State transfer Luke Kromenhoek, so I don’t want anyone to get too carried away with his 2025 outlook just yet, but this was as good of a start as fans could’ve hoped for. He’s the real deal, folks.

-Tony Mitchell was another one who impressed me. I hadn’t heard much about him this spring, so I was wondering how he was coming along and if it’d take him some time to work into a contributing role. But on Saturday, he made multiple plays in the backfield. On two separate occasions, he aggressively triggered downhill while working through would-be perimeter blocking attempts from tight end Seydou Traore and wide receiver Thomas Cheatham. Both resulted in tackles for loss. In addition to those plays, he also added a sack late. More than looked the part physically. I think he’s going to be a critical piece working at safety and in the slot. Both former Alabama defenders stood out today.

-The three receivers who impressed me the most today: Ayden Williams, Ricky Johnson and Anthony Evans. Not saying they’ll be the three starters, but I expect all of them to be a part of the rotation this fall. The length and playmaking ability from Williams and Johnson could really complement what Evans is expected to give the offense in the slot. Brenen Thompson’s vertical prowess was on full display too (especially early), but Shapen couldn’t quite connect with him (wind may have been a factor on some of those vertical shots). Williams stood out the most, even making a spectacular catch downfield that was overturned due to a penalty.

-Moving Stonka Burnside to the defensive side of the football was definitely the move. Just looks and moves like a safety. Has the athleticism to be effective in coverage, but he works downhill like he played special teams — with some authority. Can’t wait to see what he develops into.

-The RB room is jaw-dropping. Obviously, the trio of Davon Booth, Johnnie Daniels and transfer Fluff Bothwell are the headliners and will receive most (if not close to all) of the workload this fall, but freshman Kolin Johnson has generated some buzz this spring and Xavier Guyten made enough plays today where you have to think he’ll factor in somewhere. Bare minimum, this room is 3-4 deep with Johnson having a chance to make it five deep.

-Kicking game is a concern.

The budding rivalry between the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks adds another chapter starting Saturday with Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first round playoff series.

WATCH LIVE NBA STREAM​

WATCH LIVE NBA STREAM​

This time, the Pacers have homecourt advantage and it'll be a gold out inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse with a 1 p.m. tip time.
IndyStar has you covered from all angles with Pacers Insider Dustin Dopirak, columnist Gregg Doyel, reporter Kyle Neddenriep, photojournalist Grace Hollars and video guru Clark Wade in the building.
We'll provide live updates and instant reaction. Buckle up. HIT REFRESH FOR UPDATES.
Pacers vs Bucks Game 1 injury report
OUT: Damian Lillard (Bucks, deep vein thrombosis), Tyler Smith (Bucks, left ankle sprain), Isaiah Jackson (Pacers, Achilles tendon)
PROBABLE: Ben Sheppard (Pacers, left great toe sprain)
Pacers vs Bucks Game 1 prediction
"As Pacers coach Rick Carlisle pointed out earlier this week, the Bucks have two of the best players on the planet, but once again they'll be starting the playoffs with only one available. Of course, given the option between Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard on the floor, the Bucks would certainly rather have Antetokounmpo, who may not have a chance at NBA MVP this year but would likely win Eastern Conference MVP if there was such a thing. That obviously makes the Bucks a tougher out than they were last year, but the Pacers look like a tougher out, too, and they do begin this year's playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The guess here is that's enough for the Pacers to take Game 1. But if the Pacers drop one of the first two in Indy, look out." — Dustin Dopirak, IndyStar: Pacers 118-110
What channel is Pacers vs Bucks Game 1 on?
FanDuel Sports Network, with Chris Denari (play-by-play), Quinn Buckner (analysis) and Jeremiah Johnson (sideline reporting); ESPN, with Michael Grady (play-by-play) and Stephanie White (analysis).
Watch with a free Fubo trial
Latest betting odds for Pacers vs Bucks Game 1 playoffs
via BetMGM
The Pacers are 5.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 225.5 points. Pacers are -125 moneyline favorites.
Pacers vs Bucks first round NBA playoffs schedule
(All times ET; *-if necessary)
Game 1, Sat., April 19: at Pacers, 1 p.m.
Game 2, Tues., April 22: at Pacers, 7 p.m.
Game 3, Fri., April 25: at Bucks, 8 p.m.
Game 4, Sun., April 27: at Bucks, 9:30 p.m.
*-Game 5, Tues., April 29: at Pacers, TBA
*-Game 6, Fri., May 2: at Bucks, TBA
*-Game 7, Sun., May 4: at Pacers, TBA

Here’s how to watch Dalton Smith vs. Mathieu Germain, including streaming options and channels to catch the main card.

🔴 🆆🅰🆃🅲🅷🔴▶️ CLICK HERE TO LIVE STREAM​

🔴 🅻🅸🆅🅴🔴▶️ CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE ONLINE​

🔴 🆆🅰🆃🅲🅷🔴▶️ CLICK HERE TO LIVE STREAM​

Dalton Smith vs Mathieu Germain: Fight Week Blog So here we go fight fans, time to turn attention to this high stakes battle in Sheffield, as Dalton Smith defends his WBC Silver super lightweight title against Canadian challenger Mathieu Germain.
And though the bout is just another one on the boxing calendar, on April 19 at the Canon Medical Arena, it’s not just a boxing match — it’s a defining moment for both fighters, one whose outcome has world-title ramifications. Fight Week Atmosphere: Sheffield’s Young Lion Comes Home In Sheffield, hometown hero Dalton Smith (17-0, 13 KOs) pops into the ring to an adoring local crowd.
Smith, 28, is undefeated and on the rise in the world rankings. Smith’s momentum is unmistakable following a crushing first-round stoppage of Walid Ouizza in January to take the European belt. This Saturday, he aims to add another big win to his record and get one step closer to a shot at a world title.
When Smith and Germain squared off outside Sheffield City Hall this week the energy was palpable with both men displaying a quiet confidence. For Smith, it’s an opportunity to shine in front of his home fans; for Germain, it’s a career-defining moment. You are not capable of reading the text.
Smith vs. Germain is in the Park Community Arena in Sheffield on April 19. The event airs around 6 p.m. local time. The main event fighters should make their way to the ring around 10:30 p.m. GMT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
A 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games bronze medalist, Smith (17-0) decided to forgo the 2020 Olympics, which has only benefited him. He has won British and Commonwealth super lightweight gold, beating the likes of Sam Maxwell, Jose Zepeda, and Walid Ouizza. The latter he took out in January for European gold.
Famed for his technical style and durability, Germain’s last appearance ended with him stopping Carlos Daniel Aquino in the seventh—a statement victory which led to this eliminator opportunity. Germain is tall and viced at 6’1” — an impressive height advantage over Smith (5’9½”). Germain may have lost twice, but both defeats were at the hands of reasonable opposition.
He’s eager to show he deserves to be on the world stage and is using enemy territory as the site of his upset. What’s at Stake? This isn’t just about belts. The victor sets himself up as an immediate challenger for the WBC's world title at 140 lbs.
Smith already has a mix of speed, power and technical ability, and many are predicting that he will be Britain’s next world champion in the division. Germain, in turn, is struggling for recognition and a chance for the sport’s biggest prize.
Undercard Highlights The undercard, too, is stacked with talent: Former world champion Josh Warrington is in on super featherweight; Asad Asif Khan.
Ryan Kelly takes on Caoimhin Agyarko for the WBA Continental super welterweight title. In the lightweight division, prospects Josh Padley and Marko Cvetanovic go head-to-head for the WBA International strap. In an all-English super featherweight clash, rising stars Giorgio Visioli and Kane Baker go to battle. Prediction and Final Thoughts The bookmakers have Smith a heavy favorite, and with good reason.
He is younger, fighting on their home turf and has a better knockout ratio. But Germain’s experience and height might cause issues if Smith takes him lightly.
I expect Smith to start fast, try to impose his power on the fight, and to shoot for a statement finish. But Germain’s grit makes him hard to count out.
Germain (17-0, 13 KO) will be out for the second time this year, following a 10-month layoff between fights. He easily dispatched Walid Ouizza in the first round on January 25 in Nottingham, and will look to make easy work of Canada’s Germain (26-2-1, 11 KO) today.
With Smith also fighting an in his country, then I see him doing more than enough to take a decision win with a stoppage being a good bet aswell.” 3 The fight night will be filled with drama, skill and that special Sheffield atmosphere.
Dalton Smith faces Mathieu Germain live on DAZN from Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, England on April 18. The pair square off in a scheduled 12-round bout at super lightweight. Smith’s WBC ‘Silver’ belt is on the line.

Here’s how to watch Dalton Smith vs. Mathieu Germain, including streaming options and channels to catch the main card.

🔴 🆆🅰🆃🅲🅷🔴▶️ CLICK HERE TO LIVE STREAM​

🔴 🅻🅸🆅🅴🔴▶️ CLICK HERE TO WATCH LIVE ONLINE​

🔴 🆆🅰🆃🅲🅷🔴▶️ CLICK HERE TO LIVE STREAM​

Dalton Smith vs Mathieu Germain: Fight Week Blog So here we go fight fans, time to turn attention to this high stakes battle in Sheffield, as Dalton Smith defends his WBC Silver super lightweight title against Canadian challenger Mathieu Germain.
And though the bout is just another one on the boxing calendar, on April 19 at the Canon Medical Arena, it’s not just a boxing match — it’s a defining moment for both fighters, one whose outcome has world-title ramifications. Fight Week Atmosphere: Sheffield’s Young Lion Comes Home In Sheffield, hometown hero Dalton Smith (17-0, 13 KOs) pops into the ring to an adoring local crowd.
Smith, 28, is undefeated and on the rise in the world rankings. Smith’s momentum is unmistakable following a crushing first-round stoppage of Walid Ouizza in January to take the European belt. This Saturday, he aims to add another big win to his record and get one step closer to a shot at a world title.
When Smith and Germain squared off outside Sheffield City Hall this week the energy was palpable with both men displaying a quiet confidence. For Smith, it’s an opportunity to shine in front of his home fans; for Germain, it’s a career-defining moment. You are not capable of reading the text.
Smith vs. Germain is in the Park Community Arena in Sheffield on April 19. The event airs around 6 p.m. local time. The main event fighters should make their way to the ring around 10:30 p.m. GMT, depending on how long the undercard fights last.
A 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games bronze medalist, Smith (17-0) decided to forgo the 2020 Olympics, which has only benefited him. He has won British and Commonwealth super lightweight gold, beating the likes of Sam Maxwell, Jose Zepeda, and Walid Ouizza. The latter he took out in January for European gold.
Famed for his technical style and durability, Germain’s last appearance ended with him stopping Carlos Daniel Aquino in the seventh—a statement victory which led to this eliminator opportunity. Germain is tall and viced at 6’1” — an impressive height advantage over Smith (5’9½”). Germain may have lost twice, but both defeats were at the hands of reasonable opposition.
He’s eager to show he deserves to be on the world stage and is using enemy territory as the site of his upset. What’s at Stake? This isn’t just about belts. The victor sets himself up as an immediate challenger for the WBC's world title at 140 lbs.
Smith already has a mix of speed, power and technical ability, and many are predicting that he will be Britain’s next world champion in the division. Germain, in turn, is struggling for recognition and a chance for the sport’s biggest prize.
Undercard Highlights The undercard, too, is stacked with talent: Former world champion Josh Warrington is in on super featherweight; Asad Asif Khan.
Ryan Kelly takes on Caoimhin Agyarko for the WBA Continental super welterweight title. In the lightweight division, prospects Josh Padley and Marko Cvetanovic go head-to-head for the WBA International strap. In an all-English super featherweight clash, rising stars Giorgio Visioli and Kane Baker go to battle. Prediction and Final Thoughts The bookmakers have Smith a heavy favorite, and with good reason.
He is younger, fighting on their home turf and has a better knockout ratio. But Germain’s experience and height might cause issues if Smith takes him lightly.
I expect Smith to start fast, try to impose his power on the fight, and to shoot for a statement finish. But Germain’s grit makes him hard to count out.
Germain (17-0, 13 KO) will be out for the second time this year, following a 10-month layoff between fights. He easily dispatched Walid Ouizza in the first round on January 25 in Nottingham, and will look to make easy work of Canada’s Germain (26-2-1, 11 KO) today.
With Smith also fighting an in his country, then I see him doing more than enough to take a decision win with a stoppage being a good bet aswell.” 3 The fight night will be filled with drama, skill and that special Sheffield atmosphere.
Dalton Smith faces Mathieu Germain live on DAZN from Canon Medical Arena in Sheffield, England on April 18. The pair square off in a scheduled 12-round bout at super lightweight. Smith’s WBC ‘Silver’ belt is on the line.

Today, Mississippi State's spring game concludes the 2025 spring practice season. The Bulldogs have a ton of visitors coming and we're keeping tabs on who will be in Starkville. I'll update the list as I confirm more names:

2026:
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Big interior guy who played seven games at Kansas State. Two years at Samford, two years at Chipola JC.

Good player with three seasons left who logged some good minutes last season at Arizona State:

Mississippi State offensive lineman Jesse Ramil is back in the portal on Wednesday after transferring in from James Madison in January. He’d been working at both guard and tackle throughout the spring. I don’t know if he was going to have the length to play tackle in the SEC, and I was beginning to question his power potential as a guard. Watch how Isaac Smith blows him up in the video below (about 10 seconds in, he’s wearing No. 63).

VIDEO - Click Here

State already had some work to do with its offensive line though. At the very least, Ramil was going to add experience to the room and could’ve helped fill out the depth chart, but he’s probably more interested in starting. Just don’t know if his abilities were translating to the SEC. I’ll be at the spring game this weekend and will report back with more info on the offensive line.

He made his decision known on Wednesday via social media. This one isn’t a surprise. Russell hadn’t been a part of the team this spring and wasn't included on the roster after only playing 19 snaps (all in the season opener against Eastern Kentucky) with this new coaching staff in 2024. A drastic decrease from his 164 snaps in 2023 where he accumulated 15 pressures, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Mississippi State’s staff expects you to do your part, both on and off the field. Sometimes, guys don’t uphold their end of the bargain. Russell has obvious pass-rushing talent despite his lean frame, and the Bulldogs could’ve used his ability to get after the quarterback last season when they finished No. 132 out of 133 schools in sacks. And yet, Russell couldn’t get back onto the field. That should tell us everything we need to know.

Final media availability before the spring game on Saturday. State has practice on Thursday, but it's closed and no players/coaches will be available.

Just posted not long ago on social media, Fairchild has State along with Georgia Tech, NC State, Kansas and Marshall. I'm not sure why he really included the last two. It's been those first three for a while. And honestly, this one is between State and GT. I've been VERY close to putting in a Futurecast for the Bulldogs multiple times.
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Murphy didn't go far after he entered the portal and State will play him again at least once next season as he's landed at Auburn:
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Story from our sister site covering the visit of Capehart across the country:

MVP: Isaac Smith, S/LB
Runner-up: Zakari Tillman, LB

I’m not sure there’s any defensive candidate who can rival Smith for this MVP spot. I mentioned in another thread how glad I am that the coaching staff is embracing his versatility by having him gain weight (205 to 220) and working with both the defensive backs and linebackers. Very instinctual player with a knack for making big-time tackles. The next step for him will be more of the game-changing plays like interceptions, forced fumbles, tackles for loss, etc., but he looks like an All-SEC type of defender already. Can’t wait to see what he does in 2025.

I couldn’t put anyone over Smith for defensive MVP, but I am expecting a breakout season for Tillman. Only started one game and played 226 snaps (19th most on defense last year), but still managed to finish first in sacks (3.5) and third in tackles for loss (3.5) and pressures (9) while securing an interception, a forced fumble and two pass breakups. Nine pressures and 3.5 sacks on only 34 pass rushing snaps is an insane rate (pressure every 3.8 pass rushing snaps). Could continue to be a rotational piece, which could hurt his chances at actually being the runner-up for MVP, but I can also see him taking over Mitchell’s job as the starter next to Jalen Smith.

Needs To Improve: Hunter Washington, S
Runner-up: LB Nic Mitchell

Washington was a key member of State’s defense last season. The once Florida State transfer saw the second most snaps (698) on that side of the football, which only trailed the leader (the now departed Brice Pollock) by 22. Washington’s 55 tackles ranked fifth on the team, and he also accumulated 1.5 tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and two pass breakups. Not terrible numbers, but nothing really stands out despite him being a full-time starter and playing significant spans. Plus, his 15 missed tackles were second most on the team, and he left a lot to be desired in coverage. Good leadership and has shown a willingness to be aggressive coming downhill with some authority, but he’s got to 1) be better as a tackler and 2) be much more consistent in coverage.

Mitchell is facing competition for his starting job between transfers Jalen Smith and Derion Gullette, the ever-improving Zakari Tillman, JUCO signee Montrell Chapman and two promising freshmen in Tyler Lockhart and AJ Rice.

Most To Prove: Kalvin Dinkins, DL
Runner-up: Dwight Lewis III, CB

Look, I’m a fan of Dinkins. Only has 21 career snaps due to injuries, but the now 6-foot-2, 320-pound interior defensive lineman has a good blend of traits that could land him a leading role if he can stay healthy. In only four pass rushing snaps played in last season’s opener, the junior managed to secure one of State’s only 10 sacks for the entire year. Granted, the opponent was less-than-stellar (Eastern Kentucky), but I would’ve loved to have seen if he could’ve built on that if it wasn’t for the season-ending injury. It’s time to see if he can stay on the field and put it all together in 2025. Not only does State need an elevated impact from its starters, the depth could use a lot of work from a season ago. Dinkins is capable of being one of those guys, but he’s got to stay on the field. Fingers crossed.

Lewis was one of the better cornerbacks available in the transfer portal, but a lot of people are questioning whether he'll be able to make the transition from NAIA Marian to the SEC while maintaining effective play. It's a reasonable concern, but this guy definitely possesses the tools needed to play corner at a high level. He's big, long (6-1, 195) and more than capable of proving any of the doubters wrong. I'm sure there will be some growing pains in his transition, but State is expecting him to be a contributor -- and I fully believe in his ability to fulfill those expectations.

Top Transfer: Will Whitson, DL
Runner-up: Jalen Smith, LB

I had a tough time deciding who to put here, as Whitson, Smith and even Old Dominion transfer Jahron Manning all feel deserving. Manning’s presence alongside Washington and potentially Tony Mitchell will free up Isaac Smith’s versatility even more than a season ago, but I think we can all agree that State’s defensive front was easily the team’s most glaring issue in 2025. Whitson, a 6-5, 295-pound transfer from Coastal Carolina, has All-SEC potential if his talent and impact can translate to a much higher level of football. Has the ability to play all along the defensive line, which should help the coaching staff create mismatches for him. Only player 182 snaps (and 103 pass rush snaps) in four games for Coastal last season, and yet, he finished with an efficient 11 pressures and two sacks. For comparison, Sulaiman Kpaka got 245 pass rushing snaps. With that type of workload, Whitson would’ve been somewhere between 25-30 pressures with 5-6 sacks. This is the type of interior disruption that was severely lacking last season.

Top JUCO Signee: Tony Mitchell, DB
Runner-up: LaKendrick James, EDGE

This was another tough decision. Most everyone agrees that Mitchell is going to eventually emerge as a potential starting-caliber defensive back in Starkville. I mean, this is a former four-star and top 170 recruit from the 2023 cycle, after all. I’m a fan, but I also don’t want to forget about James. Some recruiting services had him listed under 220 pounds, but Rivals had closer measurements (245 pounds) with his listed weight on State’s spring roster at 250. He’s not long, but he’s extremely explosive off the snap with a good arsenal of useful pass-rushing traits. Last year, State finished No. 132 nationally in sacks out of 133 schools, so any potential pass-rushing solutions will have a chance at earning some sort of role this season. Returning starter Brandon Jennings is a potential solution at the JACK position, as is Malick Sylla and (at least situationally) Nevaeh Sanders, but don’t forget about James.

Top Freshman: LB Tyler Lockhart
Runner-up: LB AJ Rice

OK, full disclosure… I almost got too cute here. Rice has continued to be my runner-up, but I swapped out edge Tyshun Willis with Lockhart at the last second. I am a huge fan of Willis and think he can eventually be one of the faces of the defense, but I couldn’t bring myself to go that bold with him not even enrolling until the summer. Plus, it’s tough to ignore the combination of Jennings, Sylla, Sanders and James all potentially standing in his way of playing time. Lockhart doesn’t have as difficult of a path to a significant role, and I mean, he is the highest-rated signee in State’s 2025 class. The physical tools for Lockhart are there. He can be a future early round draft pick if things come together for him, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it took him a little bit of time. We’ll know more about how far along he is after the spring game this weekend.

We‘ve heard good things about Rice. Thickly built (6-1, 240 pounds), old school type of thumper with a lot of between the tackles value as a run defender. Plus, he’s got above average instincts. Rice and Lockhart have strong complementary skill sets, but Rice feels just a little more college ready. If State struggles with second-level run fits, he might be a guy we see earlier than we’re expecting. It’s also possible that Lockhart is the first of the two to get onto the field though.

Most Upside: Trevion Williams, DL
Runner-up: CB Kelley Jones

I have dove into a lot of State’s defensive tape over the past couple of months. It was bad. Like, really bad. But look, I’m not telling you anything that you don’t already know. The question is, how do they fix it? We talk a lot about the defensive front and the guys brought in to alleviate some of the issues, but I think Williams has tremendous upside here. Missed most of the 2023 season with an injury, and was wildly inconsistent throughout his first season as a major contributor (his 322 snaps ranked third-most amongst State’s defensive linemen). He still plays too out of control at times, but I still think his ceiling is as high as any defensive lineman on this roster. His versatility can be invaluable too, and he’s capable of things you just can’t teach. If he can finally put it together in 2025, he’ll easily be one of the defense’s top players and disruptors. One of the most intriguing talents on the roster.

As for Jones, I think he takes a sizable step forward in 2025. Sure, there will be more pressure on him with Pollock moving on — which elevates Jones to CB1. But it’s not everyday that you’ve got a 6-4, 195-pound corner with his kind of long speed.