Mississippi State has gotten off to a 3-0 start to the season, and big reason for that is a vastly-improved defense. After being one of the nation's worst units in 2024, the Bulldog defense is among the nation's best early in 2025, holding opponents to just 12.3 points per game and 265 yards per game.
Perhaps most surprising about the defensive improvement is that the position group fans and media were most concerned with entering the year has been the defense's best thus far. Cornerback appeared to be a major red flag for the Bulldogs, with no proven options in the room.
But through three games, starters Kelley Jones and DeAgo Brumfield have been lockdown players on the outside, leading the country's 15th-best pass defense at less than 125 yards allowed per game. And advanced scouting and stats prove their play to be even more impressive.
Pro Football & Sports Network's Cam Mellor shared PFSN's highest-graded cornerbacks this season, and Bulldog fans will love what they see. Of the rankings, DeAgo Brumfield came in at No. 5 while Kelley Jones was No. 10 nationally. Mississippi State was the only team with two players inside the Top 10.
Our highest-graded CBs (via @PFSNcollege):
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 15, 2025
1) Mansoor Delane, LSU
2) Hezekiah Masses, Cal
3) Colton Hood, Tennessee
4) Demetres Samuel Jr., Syracuse
5) DeAgo Brumfield, Miss State
6) Julian Neal, Arkansas
7) Tacario Davis, Washington
8) Javion Holiday, SMU
9) Amarion… pic.twitter.com/LlldxlP8F5
Mellor shared one particular stat that highlights just how impressive CB play has been for the Bulldogs. So far, Kelley Jones leads the country with a 16.7% catch rate allowed.
Lowest catch rate allowed, FBS CBs, min. 10 targets:
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) September 15, 2025
1) Kelley Jones, Mississippi State - 16.7%
2) Colton Hood, Tennessee - 18.2%
3) Dezz Ricks, Texas A&M - 20.0%
3) Courtland Guillory, Oklahoma - 20.0%
5) Khary Crump, Rice - 21.4% pic.twitter.com/92pUiRPr1W
Jones also has one of the nation's highest forced incompletion percentage according to Mellor. By the numbers, Mississippi State currently has one of the country's very best cornerback duos. And the eye test backs that up. Jones and Brumfield made several impressive plays in Week 1 against a solid group of Southern Miss pass-catchers, and then in Week 2, facing one of the nation's best WRs in Jordyn Tyson, they were dominant.
If what you've seen from this duo so far is a sign of things to come, State could be in for an impressive year defensively.
Major tests on the horizon for Mississippi State's cornerbacks
The Bulldog corners should have the advantage for at least one more weekend, as Northern Illinois lacks playmakers at wideout. But once SEC play begins, we're going to learn a lot about just how good Kelley Jones and DeAgo Brumfield are.
That's because wide receiver has been a position of strength for State's first two SEC opponents, Tennessee and Texas A&M. Chris Brazzell, Braylon Staley, and Mike Matthews have been explosive threats for the Volunteers. Mario Craver (yes, that Mario Craver) and KC Concepcion look incredibly dynamic for the Aggies.
Handling those pass-catchers will be major tests for MSU's corners. Frankly, just holding serve and not getting consistently beat downfield and in space in those matchups would like qualify as successful outings. If you come out of those games feeling like the Bulldog corners are still performing at a high level, then you know State's got something special at the position.