To this point in the offseason, all of Mississippi State football's 2025 NFL Draft declarations were fully expected. Each player that had announced they were heading to the draft were players that had no other choice, as they were all out of eligibility. Anyone who had remaining years that may have otherwise tested the draft waters either chose to return to Starkville or enter the transfer portal.
But now a piece the Bulldogs expected to have back for the 2025 season has decided he's turning pro.
Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Stone Blanton declares for 2025 NFL Draft
Mississippi State saw its first unexpected draft entrant on Wednesday when junior linebacker Stone Blanton declared for the 2025 NFL Draft.
— Stone Blanton (@Stoneblanton7) January 15, 2025
State's starting weakside linebacker, the 6-2, 230 Madison, MS native finished second on the team with 125 tackles in 2024, also recording 3.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, three passes broken up, and two forced fumbles. After a somewhat slow start to the year, Blanton finished the season strong, averaging 13 tackles per game in the final five weeks.
Stone Blanton played just one year for Bulldogs, transferring in from South Carolina last offseason. A 4-star recruit out of high school, he was originally committed to Mississippi State to play baseball. Many expected him to also announce for MSU in football and be a dual-sport athlete in Starkville.
But he instead chose to head to Columbia, and though he planned to play baseball for the Gamecocks as well, an injury turned his focus entirely to football. As a sophomore, he became a starter for South Carolina, totaling 52 tackles, a sack, and a pick six.
After that season, he saw the opportunity to return to Mississippi, and he ultimately got to finish his collegiate career in his home state. Now he'll wait and see where his NFL future lies.