Mississippi State football enters year two of the Jeff Lebby-era hoping to see more of the offense they expected when he was hired. Beyond a few flashes in 2024, the Bulldog offense never fully came together in route to a 2-10 season, scoring 25.8 points and totaling 377.2 yards per game.
But it could be stronger in 2025. QB Blake Shapen returns from injury after promising play in the first four games of last season. There are plenty of intriguing pieces at the skill positions, and if a few transfers hit and Shapen stays healthy, this unit could take a significant leap.
Here's what to know about the State offense entering 2025...
Biggest Positive - Mississippi State has a running back room to be excited about
There's no questioning the strength of the offense, if not the entire team. State is loaded at running back. The explosive Davon Booth returns after posting better than 1200 all-purpose yards and nine total TDs in 2024. He'll be complimented by powerful South Alabama transfer Fluff Bothwell, whose 7.5 YPC and 13 TDs last season garnered national attention.
Booth as the big-play threat and Bothwell as the bruiser is already formidable enough, but they aren't alone. Johnnie Daniels impressed splitting carries with Booth last year, and there's excitement for the potential of sophomore Xavier Gayten. This is a great group that should be heavily featured when the Bulldogs have the ball.
Biggest Question - Does Mississippi State have a true threat at receiver?
With three of last year's top four wideouts gone, MSU hit the portal hard for pass-catchers. Transfers Brenen Thompson (Oklahoma), Anthony Evans III (Georgia), and Ayden Williams (Ole Miss) all have high-level potential, but their production is lacking. Returnee Jordan Mosley showed flashes in 2024, but he too hasn't proven to be a go-to target.
State loves the depth they have in the room, but with no proven superstar, are they really in good shape here? At the college level, having a difference-maker at WR that can consistently get open in key situations and defenses fear tends to be key to maximizing your pass game. While that player could emerge for State, we don't have a clear answer. Perhaps youngsters Ricky Johnson or Sanfrisco Magee could be where they turn.
Biggest Concern - The Bulldogs may remain unsettled along the offensive line
Struggles up front, if not total ineptitude, prevented the MSU offense from clicking right away under Jeff Lebby. And despite having more experience, more size, and significantly better depth entering 2025, it's not a certainty that the offensive line won't again prove to be a limiting factor in the Bulldogs' ability to score points.
Virginia transfer Blake Steen has locked down RT like he was expected to, but elsewhere, there are concerns. State looks to be counting on veteran Albert Reese IV at LT, despite him struggling on the opposite end in 2024 and performing better at guard. Along the interior, competition is ongoing at all three spots. A starting five hasn't been settled on at season's start, and given the importance of cohesion along the OL, that's worrisome. It'd be hard for this unit to not improve relative to last year, but it looks like it remains a work in progress.