Defensive line is among the biggest priorities for Mississippi State football to address during the 2026 Transfer Portal cycle, and they've taken their first step towards meeting that need. The Bulldogs received a commitment from former Florida State defensive lineman Jayson Jenkins on Monday.
Jenkins, who began his career at Tennessee, is rated as an 87-overall, 3-star transfer and the No. 35 edge rusher in the portal according to 247 Sports. The 6-6, 276 native of New Jersey will have one year of eligibility remaining.
| COMMITTED |
— NPGPX Design (@NathanPurvis) January 5, 2026
Jayson Jenkins (@jaysonjenkins_), the @247Sports 3⭐️ transfer portal defensive lineman from Florida State University, has committed to Mississippi State. #HailState pic.twitter.com/woEvRxPUPB
Jayson Jenkins signed with Tennessee in the Class of 2022 as an 84-overall, 3-star prospect. He redshirted his initial year with the program before seeing limited playing time in 2023. He made a statement in Knoxville as a redshirt sophomore in 2024. As a rotational player in a loaded Volunteer D-Line room, Jenkins recorded nine tackles, 2.0 sacks, and 3.5 tackles for loss, one of which went for a safety in a win over Oklahoma.
Looking for a bigger role, Jenkins entered the Portal, and those flashes made him a coveted transfer prospect in 2025. He was considered a key addition for Florida State last offseason. However, an injury sidelined him for the spring. He returned in time for the season, but did not make the expected impact in Tallahassee. Jenkins started four games for the Seminoles, totaling 16 tackles, 1.0 sack, and 1.5 tackles for loss on the season. He now follows Mississippi State DC Zach Arnett, who served as an analyst at FSU in 2025, to Starkville.
Mississippi State looks to stockpile Transfer Portal defensive linemen alongside Jayson Jenkins
The hope for Mississippi State is that they can tap into the potential Jayson Jenkins flashed in 2024. If that's the player he can be for the Bulldogs, even as a rotational piece, it would be a win. But don't expect State to be done looking for defensive linemen out of the Transfer Portal.
The D-Line/Edge room is in serious need of upgrading in Starkville. Though the group improved this season and returns a few solid pieces, MSU still lacks impact players along its defensive front. Expect the Bulldogs to be aggressive in targeting several proven disruptors in the Portal to add to the roster.