The Mississippi State Bulldogs, like any team in modern college football, took a huge hit in the transfer portal after firing Zach Arnett and hiring Jeff Lebby. But it’s not all bad for the Bulldogs, who retained some key players and added a few more solid contributors through the portal.
Who are Mississippi State’s top returning players?
Mississippi State Bulldogs Top 10 Returning Players
10) DeAgo Brumfield, CB
After starting his career at NAIA Campbellsville, DeAgo Brumfield moved up to Memphis and more than held his own, leading the Tigers with nine pass breakups.
Brumfield had 42 tackles with the Tigers and will be counted upon heavily in 2024 on a Mississippi State defense that needs a lot out of its secondary.
9) Montre Miller, CB
Montre Miller was a standout corner and two-year starter at cornerback for Kent State from 2018-2022 before transferring to West Virginia. Unfortunately, Miller got hurt after playing just 12 snaps for the Mountaineers.
He’s now with the Bulldogs, and if healthy, the seventh-year senior could bring stability to a shaky secondary. Miller has six career interceptions and 94 career tackles.
8) Corey Ellington, S
Mississippi State’s best defensive back returns for his senior season, which is good news for a very thin secondary.
Corey Ellington racked up 41 tackles a year ago but missed a bunch as well. Cleaning that up would go a long way towards improving last year’s inconsistent unit.
7) Stone Blanton, LB
Stone Blanton is originally from Mississippi but went to South Carolina out of high school, where he got plenty of playing time as a freshman and sophomore. Blanton went through several growing pains early and really came on down the stretch for the Gamecocks, improving in both pass and run defense.
6) Ethan Miner, C
A three-year starter at Arkansas State, Ethan Miner transferred to Mississippi State prior to last season and immediately became the Bulldogs’ best offensive lineman. Miner didn’t give up a single sack last year and was dominant in the running game, giving the Bulldogs some much-needed stability up front.
5) Trent Hudson, WR
Trent Hudson burst onto the scene in 2023 at New Mexico State, catching 35 passes and 10 touchdowns for the Aggies. Hudson transferred with the coaching change and should find a starter role in Lebby’s potent offensive attack. He’s a true red-zone threat who gives Blake Shapen a big-bodied target.
4) Seydou Traore, TE
Seydou Traore sat out the entire 2023 season due to old transfer rules, but he was a force to be reckoned with in 2022 at Arkansas State. That year, he finished fifth in the country among tight ends with 655 yards and four touchdowns.
Lebby loves to throw to the tight end, and Traore is going to be the top guy at that spot.
3) Davon Booth, RB
Davon Booth is a very recent Utah State transfer after the Bulldogs made their intentions to find a starter in the portal clear but finished in second place with multiple prospects.
Booth isn’t a bad guy to land on, though, as he finished last season with over 800 yards on just 120 carries. He has a chance to be the guy for the Bulldogs and will be counted on to balance out a pass-heavy attack.
2) Kelly Akharaiyi, WR
A UTEP transfer, Kelly Akharaiyi was one of two Conference USA receivers to have over 1,000 receiving yards last year. Akharaiyi has good size and brings experience to a re-shaped passing offense under Lebby. He should have plenty of opportunities in Lebby’s system.
1) Blake Shapen, QB
Maybe I’m a bit generous to Shapen, but I really like him as a player. He should get a boost from playing under Lebby, who is known for his phenomenal work with quarterbacks.
Shapen is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the SEC, and his flashes at Baylor were excellent. He will be the key if Mississippi State makes noise in the SEC.
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