Not really any surprises in Mississippi State's depth chart before opener

Bulldogs name starter at quarterback ahead of Southern Miss on road, but it's what fans expected

Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

STARKVILLE, Miss. — If you were waiting on some sort of surprise with Mississippi State's depth chart ahead of the opener, there weren't any big headlines Monday.

The Bulldogs released their Week 1 depth chart Monday ahead of the season opener against Southern Miss, offering the first official look at roster decisions under second-year coach Jeff Lebby.

ICYMI: Takeaways from Mississippi State's first official depth chart of 2025

The Bulldogs, who finished 2-10 in Lebby’s debut season, have undergone sweeping changes on the field and the sideline.

Official Mississippi State depth chart released Monday | Mississippi State Athletics

Mississippi State added Phil Loadholt from Colorado to coach the offensive line and hired Vincent Dancy to work with linebackers and defensive ends.

Veteran defensive coaches Mike MacIntyre and Paul Rhoads also joined the staff as analysts under defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler.

Blake Shapen, a transfer from Baylor, is listed as the starting quarterback. Sophomore Luke Kromenhoek and true freshman Kamario Taylor are behind him. At running back, Davon Booth and Fluff Bothwell are listed as co-starters.

Competition remains unsettled at multiple offensive line spots. Albert Reese IV and redshirt freshman Jimothy Lewis Jr. are both listed at left tackle, while Canon Boone and Brennan Smith are options at center.

The Bulldogs also reshaped their defensive front through the transfer portal. Additions include Will Whitson from Coastal Carolina, Jaray Bledsoe from Texas and Jamil Burroughs from Alabama/Miami. Holdovers like Deonte Anderson and Trevion Williams are listed as key contributors.

Mississippi State’s secondary features Jett Jefferson at one corner spot and Kelley Jones at the other. For the safety positions, the Bulldogs have Brylan Lanier and Hunter Washington listed as starters, and Jahron Manning listed as the backup for both positions.

Southern Miss, which also enters 2025 under a new coach, Charles Huff, added more than 20 transfers in the offseason. Quarterback Braylon Braxton, who previously played at Tulsa, is expected to start.

The matchup marks the first meeting between the in-state programs since 2019, when Mississippi State won 38-15 in Starkville. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday in Hattiesburg, Miss., at 11 a.m. on ESPN.

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Blake Shapen (2) walks off the field after a play against the Florida Gators during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. | Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Offensive backfield:

Quarterback — Blake Shapen, Luke Kromenhoek, or Kamario Taylor

Running back — Davon Booth or Fluff Bothwell, Johnnie Daniels

Offensive line:

Left Tackle — Albert Reese, Jimothy Lewis Jr.

Left Guard — Jacoby Jackson or Luke Work

Center — Canon Boone or Brennan Smith, Koby Keenum

Right guard — Zack Owens or Trevor Mayberry

Right tackle — Blake Steen, Jakheem Shumpert

Receivers:

Slot — Anthony Evans, Ricky Johnson

WR — Brenen Thompson, Markus Allen, Jaron Glover, or Cam Thompson

WR — Jordan Mosley, Ayden Williams, and Sanfrisco Magee

Tight end — Seydou Traore or Cameron Ball, Max Reese, or Sam West

Defensive line:

DT — Kedrick Bingley-Jones, or DJ Reed, Ashun Shepphard

DT — Jaray Bledsoe or Kalvin Dinkins, Jamil Burroughs

DE — Deonte Anderson or Will Whitson, Trevion Williams or Red Hibbler, or Joseph Head

Linebackers:

Jack — Branden Jennings or Malick Sylla, Nevaeh Sanders or LaKendrick James

Mike — Nic Mitchell or Jalen Smith, Fatt Forrest

Dime — Zakari Tillman or Derion Gullette, Tyler Lockhart or Montrell Chapman

Sam — Isaac Smith, Tyler Woodard, or Tony Mitchell

Safeties:

S — Brylan Lanier or Jahron Manning, Tanner Johnson

S — Hunter Washington or Jahron Manning, Cyrus Reyes or Stonka Burnside

Cornerbacks:

CB — Kelley Jones or Jayven Williams, Elijah Cannon or Kyle Johnson

CB — Jett Jefferson or DeAgo Brumfield, Dwight Lewis

Specialist:

P — Ethan Pulliam or Nathan Tiyce

K — Kyle Ferrie, Marlon Hauck

LS — Ethan Myers, Kallen Cosper

PR — Brenen Thompson or Anthony Evans

KR — Davon Booth, Brenen Thompson, or Anthony Evans