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- Kamario Taylor enters 2026 as Mississippi State's established starting quarterback and emotional leader after starting two late-season games and the bowl, although he views this as his first full season in charge because the Bulldogs did not win any of those starts. - Taylor spent the offseason refining his passing technique, habits and defensive study while taking a broader leadership role, and Jeff Lebby has emphasized making him a better pocket passer rather than extending every practice scramble. - Mississippi State's expanded receiver group and deeper running-back rotation should reduce Taylor's ground workload, though his mobility remains part of the offense entering the opener against Louisiana-Monroe.

- Wide Receiver Anthony Evans III Quarterback Kamario Taylor WATCH: Lebby, Players Preview ULM - Mississippi State: Wide Receiver Anthony Evans III August 31, 2026 | Football

- Mississippi State's revamped offensive line gets an immediate opener test, with Jeff Lebby more confident because the Bulldogs now have the bodies to play the way they want. - Jahkeem Shumper-Perkins has locked down right tackle, LJ Prudhomme is projected by Lebby as a breakout first-year piece, and DJ Chester will start at left guard while retaining position flexibility. - Freshman safety Bralan Womack is already locked into all four special-teams units, which Lebby called a major statement for a true freshman. - Will Whitson's return to health is a major defensive boost after he led Mississippi State in sacks deep into last season despite missing time, with Lebby praising his edge size, power, and twitch. - Kamario Taylor is clearly Mississippi State's quarterback, while transfer AJ Swann and redshirt Billy Puckett remain in competition for the backup role.

- Fluff is listed as Mississippi State's starting running back on the opening depth chart. - Amari Williams starts at the JACK position, while Will Whitson is the starting defensive end with Jason Jenkins as his backup. - Jeff Lebby said Kamario Taylor has handled the preseason attention well and is not a player the staff feels it must manage carefully.

- Junior-college addition Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins is expected to make his first Mississippi State start at right tackle as part of a portal rebuild of an offensive line that struggled badly in 2025. - Amaree Williams is projected to start at Jack linebacker, where Zach Arnett's pressure-heavy scheme should use his edge athleticism and generate one-on-one pass-rush opportunities. - Jett Jefferson has secured a starting corner role after an injury derailed his 2025 season, and opponents may test him frequently with Kelley Jones established on the opposite side. - Oklahoma transfer Zion Ragins is positioned to complement Anthony Evans as Mississippi State's vertical speed receiver after playing no games in 2025. - Nose guard Jaray Bledsoe returns after producing 5.5 tackles for loss in 2025 and has continued drawing praise while adapting to different responsibilities in Arnett's scheme.

- Mississippi State enters the ULM opener without a declared quarterback winner, with Kamario Taylor, Billy Puckett and AJ Swann all listed with OR designations. - Mississippi State's running-back competition remains open among Fluff Bothwell, Kolin Wilson and Xavier Gayten. - Mississippi State has firm first listings at center and right guard but unresolved competitions at left tackle, left guard and right tackle. - Mississippi State's defensive front opens with DJ Reed or Trevion Williams at tackle, Jaray Bledsoe at nose and Will Whitson at end. - Mississippi State will play five of its nine SEC games at home, giving the Bulldogs a favorable location split within an otherwise difficult schedule.

- ULM's staff sees clear third-year growth in Jeff Lebby's Mississippi State program and regards new defensive coordinator Zach Arnett as one of the strongest coordinators on the schedule. - Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor is established as the starter, and ULM is preparing for a 6-foot-4, 230-pound passer with a big arm and the strength and mobility to extend plays. - Mississippi State entered the opener as a 28.5-point home favorite over ULM, whose coach called the Bulldogs the most talented team on its schedule in size, length and speed.

- He is tied for 9th in rush TDs with Dontae Walker, and is 10th in all-purpose yards. - Do we wish he'd hung around to show his stuff in Jeff Lebby's offense? - Oh heck yes, but a Dog's gotta do what is best for his own self and we wish him well in L.A.

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- Mississippi State defensive end Will Whitson is back at full speed and full contact after a knee injury limited him to six quarters in 2025 and kept him out through much of spring practice. - Before the injury, Whitson produced eight tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in two games, giving Mississippi State a potentially disruptive returner for 2026. - Whitson said new coordinator Zach Arnett's defense emphasizes violent penetration behind the line of scrimmage, a style that fits the 6-foot-5, 295-pound end's strengths. - Whitson highlighted the physical interior group around him and said daily work against Mississippi State's running backs, including Fluff Bothwell, is sharpening his pursuit footwork ahead of the next scrimmage.

- Mississippi State opened as a 28.5-point home favorite over Louisiana-Monroe for its season opener. - Safeties Jahron Manning and Malick Sylla and late addition Eddie Kelly Jr. are unlikely to play in Week 1 because of unresolved eligibility and game-readiness issues. - Left-tackle candidate Miles McVay faces an internal disciplinary decision following his arrest, though no major legal penalty is expected from the traffic charges. - Defensive lineman DJ Reed is expected to be available for Week 1 after a minor lower-leg issue, while Colin Coates is out for the season. - Kamario Taylor is the unquestioned starting quarterback, with experienced transfer AJ Swann and Billy Puckett splitting most second-team repetitions.