Mississippi State Football’s 2026 Season: A Major Roster Overhaul

Starkville — The college football transfer portal opened on January 2, and Mississippi State has already begun reshaping its roster for the 2026 season. Following a challenging 5-8 record under head coach Jeff Lebby during his second year, the Bulldogs are focused on strengthening their team, particularly with quarterback Kamario Taylor at the center of their plans after his first career start in the Egg Bowl.

The 2026 season brings a new 15-day transfer window, running from January 2 to January 16. This period coincided with Mississippi State’s loss to Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, marking a pivotal moment for the program as they look to rebuild and improve.

The Clarion Ledger is closely following all of Mississippi State’s transfer moves for the upcoming season. Below is a detailed look at the additions and potential visitors to the program.

New Additions to the Mississippi State Roster

Florida State LB Gav Holman

Holman signed with Mississippi State on January 19. As a redshirt freshman, he played in two games this season, making three tackles with one pass breakup. He was unranked as a high school prospect.

North Carolina OL Miles McVay

McVay committed to Mississippi State on January 15. He played in eight games this season as a backup tackle and was a redshirt sophomore this season. McVay began his career at Alabama.

LSU OT Tyler Miller

Miller signed with Mississippi State on January 13. A four-star recruit in the 2025 class, he redshirted this season.

Texas A&M DT Dealyn Evans

Evans signed with Mississippi State on January 13. A four-star in the 2024 recruiting class, he redshirted as a freshman and played in all 13 games this season, making eight tackles.

LSU S Jardin Gilbert

Gilbert signed with Mississippi State on January 13. He redshirted this season, playing in four regular-season games and a bowl game with three starts. Gilbert has made 24 career starts, with the first three seasons at Texas A&M from 2021–2023, and has accumulated 145 tackles, four tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and three interceptions.

Oklahoma DB Kendel Dolby

Dolby signed with Mississippi State on January 12. He played in four games this season, starting one. In 2023, he played in 13 games and was a three-game starter and an honorable All-Big 12 mention. He started three games in 2024 before a season-ending injury.

Before Oklahoma, Dolby played two seasons at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, a junior college.

Oklahoma OL Isaiah Dent

Dent signed with Mississippi State on January 12. He played in one game in two seasons at Oklahoma and is from Fulton.

LSU OL DJ Chester

Chester signed with Mississippi State on January 12. He started 13 games at center as a redshirt sophomore in 2024 but only started one game in 2025 and played in seven.

Oklahoma WR Zion Ragins

Ragins signed with Mississippi State on January 11, according to multiple reports. He caught 10 passes for 68 yards as a freshman in 2024 but only played in two games this season with no catches. Ragins was a four-star in the 2024 recruiting class.

Oregon State TE Riley Williams

Williams signed with Mississippi State on January 10. He played in two games this season and caught one pass for 15 yards as a junior. Williams previously played two seasons at Miami.

Southern Cal DL Gus Cordova

Cordova signed with Mississippi State on January 10. He was a freshman at USC this season and played in two games with one tackle. Cordova was a three-star recruit in the 2025 class from Austin, Texas.

Arkansas OL LJ Prudhomme

Prudhomme signed with MSU on January 10. He redshirted as a freshman in 2025 and was a three-star high school recruit.

Florida State TE/DL Amaree Williams

Williams signed with Mississippi State on January 9. He is a two-way player who played tight end and defensive line as a sophomore. On offense, he started two games and caught two passes for 51 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Williams had 10 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks.

Florida State OL Ja’Elyne Matthews

Matthews signed with Mississippi State on January 9. He was a three-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class who redshirted this season. Matthews transferred from Rutgers to Florida State in the spring.

Rice S Marcus Williams

Williams signed with Mississippi State on January 8. He was a starter this season as a redshirt junior and produced 67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. Williams is from Hoover, Alabama.

Florida DB Jamroc Grimsley

Grimsley committed to Mississippi State on January 7 and signed on January 8. The redshirt freshman played in three games this season with one start for a total of 27 snaps and one tackle. He was a four-star in the 2024 recruiting class who originally signed with Alabama.

Syracuse DB Kaylib Singleton

Singleton committed to Mississippi State on January 6 and signed on January 8. He played in eight games this season as a freshman, posting 16 tackles.

Iowa State DB Quentin Taylor Jr.

Taylor committed to Mississippi State on January 6 and signed on January 7. He made six starts this season as a redshirt freshman, recording 27 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and five pass breakups.

Florida State OL Mario Nash Jr.

Nash committed to Mississippi State on January 6 and signed on January 9. He was a four-star freshman in the 2025 recruiting class who flipped from MSU to Florida State. Nash redshirted this season.

Appalachian State QB AJ Swann

Swann committed to Mississippi State on January 5 and signed on January 7. He is a veteran QB with 18 career starts between Vanderbilt, LSU, and App State. He will likely be the MSU backup quarterback to Kamario Taylor in 2026.

Florida State DL Jayson Jenkins

Jenkins committed to MSU on January 5 and signed on January 7. He had 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack this season. Jenkins previously played for Tennessee.

Missouri WR Marquis Johnson

Johnson committed to MSU on January 4 and signed on January 7. He was third on Missouri this season with 340 receiving yards as a junior. Johnson has 1,075 yards and six touchdowns in his career and is a Dickinson, Texas native.

Transfers Visiting Mississippi State

Several players are currently visiting Mississippi State, including:

Jackson State OT Mason Barton

Barton is visiting Mississippi State on January 16, according to On3.

Colorado OT Jordan Seaton

Seaton is visiting Mississippi State, according to a report from ESPN on January 15. He’s ranked as the No. 1 non-quarterback in the transfer portal and was a two-year starter at Colorado.

Ball State DB Ashton Whitner

Whitner announced he’ll visit Mississippi State on January 15. He played in 10 games this season and made 41 tackles with three tackles for loss. Whitner previously played at Old Dominion.

UAB OL Brandon Sneh

Sneh will visit Mississippi State on January 9, according to ESPN. He started 11 games this season at left tackle.

LSU S Jardin Gilbert

Gilbert will visit MSU, according to 247Sports. He played three seasons at Texas A&M before two seasons at LSU. Gilbert played in five games this season with three starts. In 2024, he had nine starts in 13 games.

Southern Cal DL Gus Cordova

Cordova announced he’s visiting Mississippi State, but did not say when. He was a freshman at USC this season and played in two games with one tackle. Cordova was a three-star recruit in the 2025 class from Austin, Texas.

Florida State OL Ja’Elyne Matthews

Matthews announced he’s visiting MSU on January 7. He was a three-star prospect in the 2025 recruiting class who redshirted this season. Matthews transferred from Rutgers to Florida State in the spring.

Appalachian State QB AJ Swann

Swann visited Mississippi State from January 3–4, according to On3. He played at Vanderbilt from 2022–2023 and LSU in 2024 and has 18 career starts, including six at App State.

Iowa State CB Quentin Taylor Jr.

Taylor is visiting Mississippi State, according to On3. He made six starts this season as a redshirt freshman. The report said he’ll also visit Cincinnati and Kentucky.

Houston Christian CB Tyran Chappell

Chappell will visit Mississippi State on January 5, according to a report from 247Sports. He’ll also visit Michigan State on January 3, according to the report.

Florida State OL Mario Nash Jr.

Nash announced that he will be visiting Mississippi State on January 5. He was a former four-star MSU commit that flipped to Florida State in the class of 2025.

Florida State OT Lucas Simmons

Simmons set up a visit with Mississippi State, according to 247Sports. He mainly played on special teams the last two seasons. According to the report, he’ll also visit Georgia Tech, Wisconsin, Georgia, and James Madison.

UNLV DE Tunmise Adeleye

Adeleye will visit Mississippi State on January 5–6, according to 247Sports. He had 49 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and six sacks this season. According to the report, Adeleye will visit Syracuse first.

Tennessee State OT Veguer Jean-Jumeau

Jean-Jumeau will visit Mississippi State on January 6, he announced on social media. He started 12 games at left tackle this season as a redshirt freshman. According to a report from 247Sports, he’ll also visit Oklahoma State on January 5.

LSU OL DJ Chester

Chester has set a visit to Mississippi State, according to 247Sports. He started 13 games at center in 2024, but slid down the depth chart this season and made one start in seven games. According to the report, he’ll also visit Georgia Tech, Baylor, and South Carolina.

Florida State DL Jayson Jenkins

Jenkins plans to visit Mississippi State, according to 247Sports. He started five games this season, recording 16 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Jenkins previously played at Tennessee. According to the report, he also plans to visit Clemson, Arkansas, and Georgia Tech.

Florida DT Tarvorise Brown

Brown is visiting Mississippi State on January 3, according to 247Sports. The redshirt sophomore appeared in three games this season and was previously a walk-on at Florida.

Players Who Have Entered the Transfer Portal

Mississippi State has seen several players enter the transfer portal, including:

OL Jayvin Q. James

James entered the transfer portal on January 20. He started 12 games at tackle this season after transferring from Akron.

WR Ricky Johnson

Johnson entered the transfer portal on January 15. He had three catches for 17 yards as a redshirt freshman. Johnson was a three-star in the 2024 recruiting class.

OL Zack Owens

Owens entered the transfer portal on January 15. He started 11 games this season at guard after transferring from Colorado.

CB Jayven Williams

Williams entered the portal on January 8. He was a second-string CB this season after transferring from Kennesaw State.

DB DK McGruder

McGruder announced on January 8 that he’s entered the transfer portal. He joined MSU this season from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and did not play in any games.

DL Kedrick Bingley-Jones

Bingley-Jones announced on January 7 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He made 25 tackles this season with no sacks.

LB Montrell Chapman

Chapman entered the transfer portal on January 6. The junior from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College played in five games this season and made one tackle.

OL Koby Keenum

Keenum announced on January 5 that he’s entered the transfer portal. He played in 13 games this season after transferring from Kentucky, mainly on special teams and as a backup center.

RB Seth Davis

Davis announced on January 4 that he’s entered the transfer portal. He was a contributor as a freshman in 2023 and even made one start but suffered a knee injury in that season’s Egg Bowl that caused him to miss all of 2024. Davis had five carries for 47 yards and one touchdown this season.

OL Luke Work

Work announced on January 4 that he’s entered the transfer portal. He made seven starts as a freshman in 2024, but only one in 2025.

DL Kai McClendon

McClendon plans to enter the transfer portal, according to a report from ESPN on January 3. He showed promise as a freshman in 2024, but missed all of 2025 with an injury.

CB Elijah Cannon

Cannon announced on January 3 that he’s entered the transfer portal. The redshirt freshman played in 10 games this season, mostly on special teams, and had one tackle.

S Cyrus Reyes

Reyes announced on January 3 that he’s entered the transfer portal. The sophomore played in all 13 games this season mainly on special teams and had seven tackles.

P Nathan Tiyce

Tiyce announced on January 1 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He joined MSU this season from Australia and split punting duties with Ethan Pulliam.

WR Davian Jackson

Jackson is entering the portal, according to a report from 247Sports on December 31. The freshman did not play in any games this season.

CB Dwight Lewis III

Lewis announced on Instagram on December 22 that he’ll be entering the transfer portal, with the hope of getting an extra year of eligibility. He is a redshirt senior, but played four seasons at NAIA Marian. He played in 12 games this season, mostly on special teams, making 10 tackles.

S Tyler Woodard

Woodard announced on December 20 that he intends to enter the transfer portal. The junior left the program in September.

DL Ashun Shepphard

Shepphard announced on December 20 that he intends to enter the transfer portal. The senior from Brandon played in two games this season and made four tackles.

RB Johnnie Daniels

Daniels announced on December 20 that he’ll enter the transfer portal. He was Mississippi State’s No. 2 running back in 2024, but fell behind this season when Fluff Bothwell was added. Daniels played in three games this season and had nine carries for 44 yards.

QB Luke Kromenhoek

Kromenhoek announced on December 18 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He transferred from Florida State this season and was the third string quarterback behind Blake Shapen and Kamario Taylor. Kromenhoek completed two passes on four attempts for 20 yards this season while rushing for 24 yards and one touchdown.

TE Cam Ball

Ball announced on December 18 that he intends to enter the transfer portal. The junior had two catches for 12 yards this season. He transferred to MSU from Buffalo in 2024.

TE Emeka Iloh

Iloh announced on December 16 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He did not appear in any games this season after joining from Coahoma Community College.

S Lo’Kavion Jackson

Jackson plans to enter the portal according to a report from 247Sports on December 15. The freshman did not play in any games this season.

WR Ferzell Shepard

Shepard announced on December 14 that he’s entering the transfer portal. The freshman did not appear in any games in 2025 and was a three-star in the 2025 recruiting class.

OL Jimothy Lewis Jr.

Lewis plans to enter the portal according to a report from Rivals on December 14. The redshirt freshman was a four-star in the 2024 recruiting class and started five games this season at tackle.

TE Max Reese

Reese announced he’s entering the portal on December 14. He transferred from Eastern Michigan this season and had two catches for one yard.

LB Joseph Head Jr.

Head announced on December 12 that he’s entering the transfer portal. The redshirt sophomore from Lexington played in 11 games this season and had six tackles.

WR Markus Allen

Allen announced on December 9 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He had one catch for seven yards this season after transferring from Eastern Michigan.

S Tony Mitchell

Mitchell will be entering the transfer portal according to a report from On3 on December 9. He joined MSU from East Mississippi Community College this season and was a second-string linebacker. Mitchell made 25 tackles this season with four tackles for loss.

OL Brennan Smith

Smith announced on December 9 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He played in three games this season as a backup lineman after transferring from UTEP.

K Marlon Hauck

Hauck announced Dec. 5 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He did not attempt any kicks this season and 27 kickoffs.

OL Alex Lopez

Lopez announced on Dec. 5 that he’s entering the transfer portal. The walk-on redshirt freshman from Cleveland played in one game this season.

DL Corey Clark

Clark announced on Dec. 4 that he’s entering the transfer portal. The redshirt junior made four tackles in three games this season.

WR Jaron Glover

Glover announced on Dec. 4 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He did not catch a pass after transferring from Michigan State this season.

OL Jaekwon Bouldin

Bouldin announced on Dec. 4 that he’ll enter the transfer portal. The Purdue transfer only appeared in one game in 2025.

DL Terrance Hibbler Jr.

Hibbler plans to enter the transfer portal, he announced on Dec. 4. The redshirt freshman played in one game and had one tackle this season.

WR AJ Lewis Jr.

Lewis announced on Dec. 3 that he will be entering the transfer portal. The freshman wide receiver did not appear in any games and left the team midseason.

WR Cam Thompson

Thompson announced on Dec. 1 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He transferred from Northern Illinois this season and had no catches.

S Stonka Burnside

Burnside announced on Nov. 30 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He was a four-star wide receiver from Starkville in the 2024 recruiting class, but only had one reception for -6 yards as a freshman and mainly played special teams. Burnside switched to safety in 2025, but only played in the first four games as a redshirt.

WR Jordan Mosley

Mosley announced on Nov. 30 that he’s entering the transfer portal. He was fifth on MSU in receiving in 2025 with eight receptions for 168 yards and a touchdown. Mosley transferred to MSU from Northwestern in 2022 and likely would need a waiver to play in 2026.

Players Who Have Confirmed Their Return for 2026

While not obligated to announce their returns, many players have confirmed their commitment to return for the 2026 season:

• WR Anthony Evans III
• S/LB Isaac Smith
• LB Jalen Smith
• LB Derion Gullette
• LB Zakari Tillman
• DL Trevion Williams
• CB Kelley Jones
• K Kyle Ferrie
• DL DJ Reed
• QB Kamario Taylor
• RB Fluff Bothwell
• LB Tyler Lockhart
• RB Xavier Gayten
• DL Will Whitson (pending NCAA eligibility waiver)

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_