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Mississippi State lands their best transfer portal defensive lineman of the offseason

This guy is likely to be a starter for Mississippi State in 2025.

ByAndrew Miller|
Dec 23, 2023; Honolulu, HI, USA; San Jose State Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (2) scrambles away from Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defensive lineman Will Whitson (44) during the third quarter of the Easypost Hawaii Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steven Erler-Imagn Images
Dec 23, 2023; Honolulu, HI, USA; San Jose State Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro (2) scrambles away from Coastal Carolina Chanticleers defensive lineman Will Whitson (44) during the third quarter of the Easypost Hawaii Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Mandatory Credit: Steven Erler-Imagn Images | Steven Erler-Imagn Images

If Mississippi State football is going to take a step forward in 2025, the Bulldogs have to get much stronger along the defensive line. D-Line recruiting has been a priority in the transfer portal for State so far, and they made a big-time addition to that group on Monday.

Former Coastal Carolina defensive lineman Will Whitson commits to Mississippi State Bulldogs out of transfer portal

Mississippi State landed their best defensive line transfer commitment of the offseason in former Coastal Carolina Chanticleer Will Whitson. The 6-5, 285 Whitson ranks as the 23rd best defensive lineman in the transfer portal according to 247 Sports.

Will Whitson was a little known recruit when he joined Coastal Carolina out of the JUCO ranks ahead of the 2023 season, but he ended up being a very productive player for the Chanticleers. In 2023 he totaled 42 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, and five QB hurries.

That production got him on the watchlist for the 2025 Senior Bowl, as he was seen as an under the radar defensive line prospect going into the 2024 season. Whitson got off to a fantastic start to the season, putting up 21 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and a forced fumble in just four games. However, he suffered an injury and chose to take a redshirt to maintain his eligibility for one more year.

Will Whitson may not be a household name, but he's been a very good player during his time in the FBS. It's fair to expect him to step in and become a starter at defensive tackle for the Bulldogs in 2025. Between Whitson, Texas transfer Jaray Bledsoe, and Auburn transfer Darron Reed, State has done a nice job of adding talent and depth to their interior DL group. In a perfect world, you would still prefer they find at least one more difference-making big body, but at a minimum, they should be improved there next season.

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