No position group was in bigger need of upgrading this offseason for Mississippi State football than offensive line, and the Bulldogs added several bodies to that room through the Transfer Portal in hopes of fielding a stronger unit in 2026. Unfortunately for State, one of their top transfers in the room will not be with the team this fall.
Bulldogs HC Jeff Lebby confirmed to the 247 Sports Gene's Page team that UAB transfer tackle Brandon Sneh is ineligible for the 2026 season, having exhausted his collegiate eligibility.
Bulldog transfer tackle Brandon Sneh will not be eligible for this upcoming season https://t.co/6lOPeDhy9v
— Steve Robertson (@ScoutSteveR) March 5, 2026
Sneh, who was expected to be the frontrunner to win the starting left tackle job for the Bulldogs in 2026, entered into the Transfer Portal this offseason as a Redshirt Junior, expected to have one year of eligibility remaining. That was not the case, however.
Sneh began his college career in 2022 at D2 Elizabeth City State, playing in four games as a true freshman. At the D1 level, he would still qualify for a redshirt. However by D2 rules, that was one game too many. So while it was initially thought that Sneh, by D1 rules, would still be eligible for 2026, he has technically exhausted his eligibility according to the NCAA.
So rather than continuing preparing for spring ball and fighting for a starting job along the Bulldog line, Brandon Sneh will instead begin preparations for Mississippi State's Pro Day in hopes of a professional football future.
Who replaces Brandon Sneh at left tackle for Mississippi State?
Brandon Sneh was the clear favorite to win the starting left tackle job for MSU this fall. With three years of starting experience at the position and a good 2025 season on his resume, he seemed like a shoo-in to protect QB Kamario Taylor's blindside. So where do the Bulldogs now turn?
North Carolina transfer Miles McVay saw reps at left tackle for the Tar Heels throughout last season but did not make any starts. LSU transfer DJ Chester saw action at left tackle for the Tigers in 2025, though he struggled there and is far better suited playing along the interior. It is possible that returning Bulldog Blake Steen, who was named State's starting right tackle in 2025 prior to his season-ending injury in Week 1, could move to the other side of the line.
Those are the only Bulldog linemen with significant game reps at either tackle spot in their careers. JUCO transfers Saquon Miles and Jakheem Shumpert-Perkins may be ready to compete for starting roles after redshirting last season. Young, but wildly inexperienced, transfers Mario Nash and Tyler Miller could also factor in.
In any case, this is now a wide open battle at one of the most important positions on the field without any clear cut frontrunners competiting for the job. To say that losing Brandon Sneh is a massive blow to the MSU line would be an understatement.