Cowbell Corner

Mississippi State lands portal safety, Thompson declares for NFL Draft

Mississippi State adds portal safety Marcus Williams, while record-setting receiver Brenen Thompson declares for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Taylor Hodges|
Memphis Tigers punter Lachlan Carrigan (30) is rushed by Rice Owls special teams Marcus Williams (4) in the first quarter at Rice Stadium.
Memphis Tigers punter Lachlan Carrigan (30) is rushed by Rice Owls special teams Marcus Williams (4) in the first quarter at Rice Stadium. | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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Mississippi State Bulldogs

Mississippi State has the cornerbacks it wants to bring in through the NCAA transfer portal with three commitments in the bag.

Now the attention is being paid to the safety positions and the Bulldogs have their first commitment at that spot.

Former Rice safety Marcus Williams has committed to Mississippi State and will have one season of eligibility remaining when he arrives in Starkville.

This past season Williams played in all 13 games for Rice and finished with 67 total tackles, 46 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss, five pass break ups and one forced fumble. The two seasons before, though, Williams missed a lot of games with injuries.

Thompson declares for NFL Draft

Before the Bulldogs' appearance in the Duke's Mayo Bowl, there was reports circulating that Brenen Thompson was seeking another year of eligibility. In today's world of college football, who knows what reasoning he'd have but it never hurts to try.

Now, though, it doesn't really matter. Thompson declared his intention to enter the NFL Draft on Wednesday.

"The time has come for me to continue my football journey and pave a new path, so I will be declaring for the 2026 NFL Draft," Thompson said in a social media post. "Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my football career! The journey continues.!"

Thompson set a new single-season receiving yards record in his lone season in Starkville with 1,054 receiving yards on 57 catches.

If Thompson's name is called out during the NFL Draft April 23-25, he'll be the first Bulldog receiver to be drafted since Eric Moulds was a first round pick by the Buffalo Bills 30 years ago.

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)

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
  • 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 (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
  • S Cyrus Reyes
  • OL Luke Work
  • RB Seth Davis
  • OL Koby Keenum
  • LB Montrell Chapman

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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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