Cowbell Corner

Bulldogs' WR Anthony Evans announces his return next season

Mississippi State's receptions leader was the last player of significance whose future was unclear and now joins another skilled WR corps.
Taylor Hodges|
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Anthony Evans III (3) looks for a pass interference call after a play in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Bulldogs won 38-35.
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Anthony Evans III (3) looks for a pass interference call after a play in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Bulldogs won 38-35. | Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

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Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State football is still working the transfer portal to improve on the offensive line, but it’ll be hard to turn it into the best position group in Starkville.

Not because it can’t be really good with more portal additions and a full offseason of development, but because another offensive group is looking ridiculously good.

In his first two seasons, Jeff Lebby has had a great corp of receivers. In 2024, it was Mario Craver and Kevin Coleman, Jr.

In 2025, it was Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans III. Thompson is out of eligibility and headed to the NFL draft, but Evans has some eligibility left.

On Monday, Evans announced he’d be spending that eligibility in Starkville in a social media post.

Evans was the last player of significance whose future was uncertain. Players like Kelley Jones, Kamario Taylor and Fluff Bothwell and several defenders have had their returns announced.

But Evans remained a mystery. The transfer portal opened more than a week ago and there was no rumors or rumblings about him entering the portal. So, it always felt like we were asking “when” and not “if” Evans would be back.

Last season, Evans led Mississippi State with 67 receptions, was second in yards with 831 and third in touchdowns with five.

Now, Evans will be joined by two new additions through the transfer portal: Missouri’s Marquis Johnson and Oklahoma’s Zion Raggins.

In addition, the Bulldogs will bring back Ayden Williams, Sanfrisco Magee and Ricky Johnson next season. That should give Taylor plenty of options to throw the ball when he's not handing off to Bothwell or just keeping the ball himself.

Mississippi State Transfer Portal

Incoming Bulldogs

  • WR Marquis Johnson (Missouri)
  • DE Jayson Jenkins (Florida State)
  • QB AJ Swann (Appalachian State)
  • CB Kaylib Singleton (Syracuse)
  • CB Quentin Taylor (Iowa State)
  • OL Mario Nash (Florida State)
  • CB Jameer Grimsley (Florida)
  • S Marcus Williams (Rice)
  • OL Jaelyne Matthews (Florida State)
  • Edge Amaree Williams (Florida State)
  • OL LJ Prudhomme (Arkansas)
  • DE Gus Cordova (USC)
  • TE Riley Williams (Oregon State)
  • WR Zion Ragins (Oklahoma)

Outgoing Bulldogs

  • WR Jordan Mosley
  • S Stonka Burnside (Memphis)
  • WR Cam Thompson (Northern Illinois)
  • WR Anson Lewis
  • DL Terrance Hibbler
  • OL Jaekwon Bouldin
  • WR Jaron Glover
  • DL Corey Clark
  • OL Alex Lopez (Western Kentucky)
  • K Marlon Hauck
  • OL Brennan Smith
  • S Tony Mitchell
  • WR Markus Allen
  • DE Joseph Head
  • TE Max Reese
  • OL Jimothy Lewis Jr. (Cal)
  • WR Ferzell Shepard
  • TE Emeka Iloh
  • S Lo'Kavion Jackson
  • TE Cam Ball
  • QB Luke Kromenhoek (South Florida)
  • RB Johnnie Daniels
  • S Tyler Woodard
  • CB Dwight Lewis III
  • DL Ashun Shepphard
  • WR Davian Jackson
  • P Nathan Tiyce
  • DT Kai McClendon
  • CB Elijah Cannon (Kansas)
  • S Cyrus Reyes (Kentucky)
  • OL Luke Work (Missouri)
  • RB Seth Davis
  • OL Koby Keenum (Memphis)
  • LB Montrell Chapman
  • DT Kedrick Bingley-Jones
  • CB DK McGruder
  • CB Jayven Williams

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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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