Cowbell Corner

College football free agency officially underway

The NCAA transfer portal is officially open and Mississippi State is already hard at work recruiting and scheduling visits.
Taylor Hodges|
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby during the third quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Bulldogs won 38-35.
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby during the third 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

It’s going to be a long day for Mississippi State coaches and personnel.

As the Bulldogs make their final preparations for Friday night’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl game against Wake Forest, the NCAA transfer portal officially opened at 12:01 a.m. this morning.

Bulldogs’ coach Jeff Lebby already said he expects to hit the ground running Saturday and that the program’s recruiting personnel stayed in Starkville.

“I'm expecting to get off the bus here on the 3rd and walk straight into my office and be ready for (official visits),” Lebby said Sunday before leaving for Charlotte. “The expectation is we're going to have five or six guys here on campus on the 3rd when the buses roll back in. So, we'll hit the ground running and get ready to roll.

“Our recruiting and our personnel department are actually going to be here (in Starkville). So they won't be there for the game. They'll be here in-house and getting visits set and being ready to roll. That's going to be a huge piece of it. I think those first 5-7 days in the portal with allowing guys to be able to be on campus for visits will be a huge momentum builder for us if we can land the right guys.”

Be sure to check back throughout the day as more news breaks.

11 a.m. Update

Punter Nathan Tiyce announced he will be entering the transfer portal.

"After careful consideration, I’ve decided to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal as a Punter with 3 years of eligibility remaining. Grateful for my time at Mississippi State and the people who made it special. Excited and optimistic about what’s next."

Tiyce entering the transfer portal isn't a surprise. He made the first punt of the season for Mississippi State, but Ethan Pulliam won over the starting job en route to an All-American honor.

We also have another official visit reportedly scheduled. UNLV edge Tunmise Adeleye is visiting Starkville after a visit to Syracuse. He'd be a great addition to the Bulldogs after making 49 tackles, 7.5 TFLs and six sacks this season.

Also, Tennessee State OT Veguer Jean Jumeau and Florida defensive lineman Tarvorise Brown have visits reportedly scheduled with Mississippi State.

10 a.m. Update

Lebby wasn’t joking about having official visits in Starkville as soon as Saturday. Two visits have already reportedly been scheduled.

On3’s Chris Hummer is reporting that former Houston Christian cornerback Tyran Chappell will be visiting Mississippi State on January 5. He’ll make his visit two days after visiting Michigan State.

Hummer is also reporting former LSU offensive lineman DJ Chester has scheduled a visit to Mississippi State. He’s also reportedly visiting Georgia Tech, Baylor and South Carolina.

Florida State defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins is reportedly visiting Mississippi State, as well as Arkansas, Clemson and Georgia Tech.

If Lebby is expecting 5-6 visitors this weekend, expect a lot more news to be announced soon.

Mississippi State Transfer Portal

Incoming

  • None

Official Visits Scheduled

  • CB Tyran Chappell (Houston Christian)
  • OL DJ Chester (LSU)
  • DL Jayson Jenkins (Florida State)
  • EDGE Tunmise Adeleye ( UNLV)
  • DL Tarvorise Brown (Florida)
  • OT Veguer Jean Jumeau (Tennessee State)

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
  • TE Max Reese
  • OL Jimothy Lewis Jr.
  • WR Ferzell Shepard
  • TE Emeka Iloh
  • S Lo'Kavion Jackson
  • TE Cam Ball
  • QB Luke Kromenhoek
  • RB Johnnie Daniels
  • S Tyler Woodard
  • CB Dwight Lewis III
  • DL Ashun Shepphard
  • WR Davian Jackson
  • P Nathan Tiyce

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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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