Opinion: Mississippi State Football Has the Ability to Exceed Expectations
STARKVILLE, Miss. The Mississippi State Bulldogs have a new head coach for the 2024 campaign. Former Oklahoma offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby is coming to Starkville with his entertaining, fast-paced approach.
Though there are some things to work with, expectations for MSU in Lebbys’ first year shouldn’t be high. The Bulldogs put a lot of effort into adding playmakers and covering open spots through the transfer portal.
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Lebby will undoubtedly place a strong emphasis on the offensive line, as he should, based on the first transfer portal recruiting class. MSU offensive line coach Cody Kennedy did a fantastic job of retooling the offensive line after losing six key players from the previous season. Three lineman with extensive collegiate football experience were recruited by MSU: Makylan Pounders from Memphis, Jacoby Jackson from Texas Tech, and Ethan Miner from North Texas.
If that group can adjust to life in the SEC, the offensive line can be a strength of this team. The Bulldogs will likely need to fill one more tackle and guard position, and Albert Reese IV and Leon Bell are candidates for that job.
With Zavion Thomas going to the transfer portal and Lideatrick Griffin departing to the NFL, Mississippi State also needed to replace a number of its playmakers at receiver. To meet that demand, MSU employed both the high school rankings and the transfer portal.
Kelly Akharaiyi from UTEP and Kevin Coleman from Louisville, who had produced at their respective universities, were brought in by Lebby. Coleman might play well as a slot receiver, and Akharaiyi gives MSU a deep threat.
Three 4-star high school receivers, Mario Craver, JJ Harrell, and Braylon “Stonka” Burnside, were also signed by the Bulldogs. The starting quarterback will probably be Blake Shapen, a former Baylor star with a wealth of experience—most notably, winning experience.
In the 2021 season, Shapen assisted in leading the Bears to a Big 12 championship. Shapen’s reputation as a quarterback whisperer says volumes, and Lebby’s early commitment speaks lots as well.
