⚡ CFB Dashboard

- 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.

- Mississippi State's top six receivers are Zion Ragins, Sanfrisco Magee and Anthony Evans III with Ayden Williams, Gracen Harris and Maruis Johnson behind them after Williams and Harris drew consistent camp praise. - Sam West retained Mississippi State's top tight-end spot, while Joseph Skipworth emerged during camp as the No. 2 option ahead of transfer receiving threats Riley Williams and Zayion Cotton. - The left-tackle competition between Miles McVay and Blake Steen remains unresolved entering Week 1 after Steen returned strongly from rehabilitation of a season-ending injury. - Amaree Williams and Will Whitson lead Mississippi State's pass-rush roles with Jaray Bledsoe at nose tackle, while DJ Reed and Trevion Williams remain in competition at defensive tackle within an expected rotation. - Jett Jefferson and Kelley Jones are the starting cornerbacks, while hybrid safeties Isaac Smith and Kendel Dolby share the Dawg role and freshman Bralan Womack made the two-deep at safety.

- 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 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 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.

- 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.

- DL: I have a feeling he’ll be in shape, and he’s got Myles Garrett on the edge now.