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Mississippi State predicted to land coveted quarterback out of transfer portal

One college football analyst is predicting a reunion between Jeff Lebby and one of his former quarterbacks.

ByAndrew Miller|
Nov 23, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images
Nov 23, 2024; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

Mississippi State football is starting to get active in the transfer portal, as they work to rebuild the roster after an ugly 2-10 campaign. The majority of State's efforts are expected to be on the defensive side of the ball, where they were truly abysmal in 2023. But offense isn't to be ignored, even at positions that State looks to be in decent shape at.

That includes the quarterback spot, and the Bulldogs picked up a prediction to land one of the most coveted passers currently in the transfer portal.

Mississippi State Bulldogs predicted to land transfer portal quarterback Jackson Arnold

On3 college football analyst and transfer portal tracker Pete Nakos has put in a prediction for former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold to transfer to Mississippi State. Right now, Nakos has a 50% confidence level in Arnold, who has two years of eligibility remaining, heading to Starkville.

Jackson Arnold was one of the top QB recruits in the country coming out of high school. The Denton, TX native was rated as a 99-overall 5-star prospect in the class of 2023. He committed to the Sooners under former Oklahoma offensive coordinator and current Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby, and as the backup QB in his true freshman season in 2023, Arnold saw significant reps with Lebby as his coach.

Arnold had an up-and-down year for Oklahoma in 2024, going from being the starter to losing that job and then becoming the starter again. It's clear some of the schematic changes in Norman along with injuries suffered on the Sooner offense made it difficult for him. But he's incredibly talented, and by all accounts, he and Lebby have a fantastic relationship.

While defense is the primary concern for the Bulldogs, Jeff Lebby is going to try and land another quarterback out of the transfer portal

When Jackson Arnold was mentioned as a potential option for Mississippi State a few days ago, many Bulldog fans scoffed at the idea based on State already having a good option at QB in Michael Van Buren and the dire need of defensive talent. But while officially there's not much word out of Starkville yet regarding their pursuit of Arnold, it shouldn't come as a shock inf he ends up at State.

Yes, defense is the highest priority, but the Bulldogs could use another QB. There's no guarantee that both Michael Van Buren and Blake Shapen are back next season, and KaMario Taylor needs to redshirt. You want as many talented options in the room as possible. If Jeff Lebby, who knows Arnold better than anyone, believes adding him can improve the team, then it makes sense to pursue him.

Obviously, you don't want MSU to break the bank from an NIL standpoint on a position that isn't the main concern at the moment, but there's also the point that QB is the most important spot on the field. You want to be as good as you can there. Picking up Jackson Arnold would help.

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