Cowbell Corner

Bulldogs' backup quarterback, tight end planning to enter transfer portal

The list of outgoing Mississippi State players has grown to 22 names after two more made their intentions known on Thursday.
Taylor Hodges|
Mississippi State Quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) during the game between the Alcorn State Braves and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS.
Mississippi State Quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) during the game between the Alcorn State Braves and the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field in Starkville, MS. | Mississippi State Athletics

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Mississippi State Bulldogs

A year ago, Mississippi State underwent a huge retooling of its roster in an effort to upgrade its talent level.

It worked. The Bulldogs won three more games than they did in 2024 and were competitive in all but two or three games this season. Coach Jeff Lebby may be looking at another offseason of revamping the entire roster.

The list of Bulldogs who will be entering the transfer portal when it opens January 2 has surpassed 20 players with the latest additions.

Tight end Cameron Ball and quarterback Luke Kromenhoek are planning to enter the NCAA transfer portal.

Kromenhoek's decision isn't very surprising. The former Florida State quarterback appeared in only two games this season and completed two passes for 20 yards.

With Kamario Taylor's status as the future starting quarterback at Mississippi State, it wouldn't make sense for Kromenhoek to stay in Starkville if he had designs on playing and starting. lt became clear what the depth chart order was at quarterback when Taylor entered games in relief of an injured Blake Shapen and started in the Egg Bowl.

But with only two games played, Kromenhoek, a sophomore, can take a redshirt this season and still have three years of eligibility remaining.

Ball's departure wasn't as expected as Kromenhoek's. He had two catches for 12 yards this past season and fell behind spring transfer Sam West at the tight end position.

"First, I want to thakn God for putting me in the position to play this game at this level. Next I would like to thank Coach Lebby and the staff at Mississippi State for pouring into me on and off the field. Lastly I would like to thank my teammates for being right there with me through it all. With that being said, I will be entering the transfer portal with one year of eligibility remaining," Ball wrote in a social media post.

Ball's departure leaves just one tight end on the roster for next season, West, so expect the Bulldogs to bring in at least one tight end from the transfer portal.

Mississippi State Transfer Portal

Outgoing

  • WR Jordan Mosley
  • S Stonka Burnside
  • WR Cam Thompson
  • WR Anson Lewis
  • DL Terrance Hibbler
  • OL Jaekwon Bouldin
  • WR Jaron Glover
  • DL Corey Clark
  • OL Alex Lopez
  • K Marlon Hauck
  • OL Brennan Smith
  • S Tony Mitchell
  • WR Markus Allen
  • DE Joseph Head
  • LB Fatt Forrest
  • TE Max Reese
  • OL Jimothy Lewis Jr.
  • WR Ferzell Shepard
  • TE Emeka Iloh
  • S Lo'Kavion Jackson
  • TE Cam Ball
  • QB Luke Kromenhoek

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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas, but he was taken to Razorback pep rallies at Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth before he could walk. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.

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