How Mississippi State football used portal to change every position but one on 2026 roster

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football added a transfer at all but one position for the 2026 season.

The Bulldogs and coach Jeff Lebby have 24 transfers for the 2026 roster. The transfer class ranks No. 35 nationally, according to 247Sports, and No. 15 in the SEC after MSU’s 5-8 season that ended in a loss to Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Here’s a look at how the transfer portal changed almost every position for Mississippi State.

Kamario Taylor has new backup QBs

The backup quarterbacks behind Kamario Taylor changed in what will be his first season as the full-time starter.

Luke Kromenhoek transferred to USF. Mississippi State added AJ Swann from Appalachian State and Jaden Rashada from Sacramento State.

Swann is a veteran QB with 18 career starts between App State, LSU and Vanderbilt.

Rashada is a younger, higher upside quarterback. He was a four-star in the 2023 recruiting class originally committed to Florida but was released from his letter of intent after an NIL dispute. Rashada then played one season at Arizona State with two starts, transferred to Georgia in 2024 as a backup and finally landed at Sacramento State.

Mississippi State did not add transfer RB

Mississippi State did not add a transfer running back after signing two high school recruits.

Fluff Bothwell will be the starter, and there could be competition for the No. 2 job. Backups Johnnie Daniels and Seth Davis transferred from Mississippi State and Davon Booth ran out of eligibility.

Marquis Johnson is Mississippi State’s transfer WR to know

Missouri’s Marquis Johnson and Oklahoma’s Zion Ragins were the wide receivers added. Johnson had 340 yards receiving in 2025, while Ragins had zero.

Eight wide receivers transferred from Mississippi State, but none was very impactful in 2025.

Anthony Evans III returns after recording 831 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Brenen Thompson’s eligibility expired after breaking MSU’s single-season record for receiving yards.

Riley Williams could be Mississippi State’s starting TE

The Bulldogs need a new starting tight end with Seydou Traore out of eligibility, and Oregon State transfer Riley Williams could fill that role. However, Williams only played two games last season because of an injury. He previously played at Miami and hasn’t had more than eight catches in a season.

MORE: Mississippi State football WR Brenen Thompson gets NFL combine invite

Mississippi State has completely new offensive line

Mississippi State got eight offensive line transfers and eight departed. The only linemen returning to MSU who started a game in 2025 are center Canon Boone and tackle Blake Steen, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1.

UAB’s Brandon Sneh, LSU’s DJ Chester and North Carolina’s Miles McVay will probably have the biggest roles in 2026, but spring practice will provide a better gauge.

Does Mississippi State defensive line have a star?

The Bulldogs got four defensive lineman transfers, none of whom were stars for their previous teams. Florida State’s Jayson Jenkins was the most productive.

It would be a big boost if one of those transfers can be an excellent run-stuffer. Perhaps Texas A&M’s Dealyn Evans could be that. MSU didn’t get an elite pass rusher, but Will Whitson could fill that role as he returns from his 2025 season-ending injury.

Mississippi State did not prioritize linebacker

Florida State’s Gav Holman was the only linebacker added. He played in two games last season as a redshirt freshman and was an unranked recruit in high school.

Mississippi State was already well-positioned at linebacker with players like Zakari Tillman, Derion Gullette, Tyler Lockhart and Jalen Smith returning.

Mississippi State got cornerback depth opposite Kelley Jones

Top cornerback Kelley Jones is back after deciding not to enter the NFL draft, but MSU needed to upgrade around him.

Iowa State’s Quentin Taylor Jr. looks like a frontrunner to be MSU’s No. 2 cornerback. Florida’s Jamroc Grimsley and Syracuse’s Kaylib Singleton could be in the mix for playing time, too.

Jardin Gilbert, Marcus Williams could be Mississippi State’s starting safeties

Mississippi State needed to replace its starters at both safety spots. LSU’s Jardin Gilbert and Rice’s Marcus Williams are the early favorites to win those jobs.

Hybrid safety/linebacker Isaac Smith is back and will certainly start, but it will be interesting to monitor how new defensive coordinator Zach Arnett utilizes him.

Mississippi State didn’t add any specialists

Punter Nathan Tiyce transferred to Penn State, but he only punted 12 times in 2025. MSU returns punter Ethan Pulliam as well as kicker Kyle Ferrie.

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

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football has portal changes at all but one position