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Lockdown Mississippi State defender lands on "Way-Too-Early" 2026 All-American team

One Mississippi State Bulldog is already being named an All-American candidate for the 2026 season.
ByAndrew Miller|
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Oct 4, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Kelley Jones (1) runs the ball after catching an interception during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Oct 4, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Kelley Jones (1) runs the ball after catching an interception during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Mississippi State football's most important roster move for 2026 was not adding pieces out of the Transfer Portal. It was retaining lockdown cornerback Kelley Jones. A breakout star for the Bulldogs in 2025, Jones established himself as one of the nation's very best in his redshirt sophomore season.

His play led him to consider entering the NFL Draft, but ultimately, he made the decision to return to Starkville, giving State an elite defensive back to build around next fall. Now looking ahead to the 2026 season, Jones is already garnering some national recognition. On3's Chris Low released his "Way-Too-Early" All-America Team for 2026, and Kelley Jones made the cut.

That recognition is well-deserved. Had Jones decided to enter the NFL Draft, there's a possibility that he'd have been a 1st Round pick. In fact, ESPN Draft Guru Mel Kiper Jr. had him projected as one of the first cornerbacks off the board prior to his decision to return to Mississippi State.

With his size (6-4, 195) and legitimate 4.4 speed, Kelley Jones has the physical traits NFL franchises drool over. However with just one year as a full-time starter (though a dominant one), most draft grades for Jones were a bit lower, making a return to college worth it.

Jones is on pace to be a 1st rounder in the 2027 NFL Draft, however, and that means he enters his redshirt junior year as a known name in college football. More All-American honors should be on the way.

Kelley Jones will be one of college football's best in 2026

Kelley Jones is more than just a fantastic cornerback. He's set to be one of the best players regardless of position in the country for the 2026 season. On3 ranked him No. 35 nationally on their "Way-Too-Early" list of Top 100 players.

The All-SEC performer totaled 34 tackles, 11 passes broken-up, and two interceptions in 2025. According to PFSN, Kelley Jones' 87.0 grade in 2025 is the fifth-highest of any returning Power 4 cornerback. He led the nation in coverage snaps per reception allowed per PFF.

If he simply maintains his level of play from last season, he'll be a standout. If he takes another leap like he did from 2024 to 2025 though, we could be talking about Kelley Jones as Mississippi State's second Thorpe Award winner.

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