Mississippi State using spring portal to add needed depth to tight end room

As Mississippi State football continues to go through the rebuilding of its roster, there's been a largely overlooked position in need of new pieces, and that's tight end. The Bulldogs have good options already on the roster in the TE room, but it's a position group with very little depth. State has now addressed that lack of depth.

Indiana transfer tight end Sam West commits to Mississippi State

Mississippi State's first spring transfer portal commitment at the tight end position came from former Indiana Hoosier Sam West. The 6-5, 233 sophomore spent the last two seasons in Bloomington.

An 87-overall, 3-star prospect by 247 Sports coming out of high school, the Greensburg, IN native redshirted his first season with the Hoosier. As a redshirt freshman in 2024, West found his role primarily playing special teams for IU, but he did haul in one 37-yard reception against Charlotte. A younger player, Sam West will have three years of eligibility remaining.

Eastern Michigan transfer tight end Max Reese commits to Mississippi State

It was thought the Bulldogs would add only one TE through the portal, but just one day after the commitment of Sam West, another joined the room. Eastern Michigan transfer Max Reese announced his plans to head to Mississippi State.

After a quiet start to his career, the 6-2, 237 Reese was the top TE for the Eagles in 2024, catching 27 passes for 232 yards and a pair of TDs. He had a huge performance against Jacksonville State with four receptions for 64 yards and two scores. He would later put together a seven-catch, 50-yard day against Miami (OH). The Oak Park, IL native is rated as an 86-overall, 3-star transfer and will have two years of eligibility remaining.

More depth was needed for the Bulldogs at tight end

These are solid and needed additions for the Bulldogs. State brings back starter and receiving threat Seydou Traore alongside backup and blocking-TE Cameron Ball. That's a good duo, but after them, there's not much. JUCO transfer Emeka Iloh caught eyes in the spring, but he's incredibly raw and inexperienced at the position. Most likely, he'll take a redshirt. Otherwise, you're looking at walk-ons.

Max Reese will likely be able to immediately factor into the TE rotation, while West is a good depth piece who may take a step further into being a contributor as a sophomore. Jeff Lebby and his staff did a solid job of getting the MSU roster back to a respectable level prior to the spring, and over the last week, they've gone even further to solidify their group.