The remarkable college football journey of tight end Seydou Traore has a new destination. After re-entering the transfer portal during the spring window, the former Arkansas State and Colorado playmaker has committed to Mississippi State .
Seydou Traore Transfers to Mississippi State
For the second time in the space of just a few months, Traore was one of the most intriguing prospects in the transfer portal. Leaving Arkansas State in December, he transferred to Colorado over offers from multiple teams. However, he re-entered the portal in late April as part of a stampede of players leaving Boulder.
While there were a number of teams interested in landing the playmaking tight end, Traore announced that he will play for Mississippi State in the 2023 college football season. He arrives in Starkville with two remaining years of eligibility having appeared in 11 games as a true freshman in 2021.
Traore rose to national prominence with his 2022 college football campaign for Arkansas State. Named the 2022 College Football Network Sun Belt Tight End of the Year, the 6’4″, 223-pound pass catcher snagged 50 receptions for 655 yards at 13.1 yards per catch with four touchdowns. Those numbers led the conference and ranked third nationally.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Mock Draft Simulator (With Trades)
However, Traore’s journey boasts far more intrigue than his 2022 production and recent transfer portal moves. A British national who grew up playing soccer in London, he had barely played football before arriving in Florida to pursue his dream of playing DI college football.
After making an impression with 433 yards and three touchdowns on just 26 receptions at Clearwater Academy International, Traore received college football interest from several programs as a three-star recruit — including from FSU, although no offer ever materialized from the Seminoles.
With his speed, movement skills, size, catch radius, and ball-tracking skills, Traore brings a mismatch nightmare to the Mississippi State offense and a go-to target for quarterback Will Rogers. Although he arrives in Starkville having missed spring practice, he should be able to assert himself and emerge as a dangerous weapon for the Bulldogs.
Traore Quick Facts
- Class: Junior
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 223
- Hometown: London, England
- Career receptions: 61
- Career receiving yards: 734
- Career average yards per catch: 12.0
- Career receiving touchdowns: 4
