The 2024 college football season is here, and Mississippi State is just a week out from kicking things off against Eastern Kentucky in Starkville. This team will look vastly different than it did as season ago. That's especially true on offense, where HC Jeff Lebby's unit is practically brand new.
But the defense has undergone major changes as well. Though much of the defensive lineup consists of players previously on the roster, new DC Coleman Hutzler will still be relying on some new faces and inexperienced players for his scheme, a scheme we still know very little about.
What will the defensive depth chart look like?
Predicting Mississippi State football's 2024 defensive depth chart
We expect the first group to take the field for Coleman Hutzler's 2024 defense to look something like this...
Defensive End
Starter: De'Monte Russell (Sr.)
Backup: Deonte Anderson (Jr.)
Russell is easy to pencil-in as a starter, as he's one of just two returning starters from last season and is easily the most veteran player on the defense. Anderson is a solid option behind him.
Nose Tackle
Starter: Kedrick Bingley-Jones (Jr., North Carolina)
Backup: Kalvin Dinkins: (So.)
By all accounts, Bingley-Jones has impressed this offseason and may be living up to his billing as a HS recruit. Kalvin Dinkins is ready to make an impact now that he's healthy.
Defensive Tackle
Starter: Sulaiman Kpaka (Sr., Purdue)
Backup: Trevion Williams (RS Fr.)
If healthy, I think Williams starts. But he's been banged-up in camp after missing most of last season, and I just get a feeling Kpaka will be the starter in the opener. But to Kpaka's credit, he's gotten positive reviews from teammates.
Jack Linebacker
Starter: Donterry Russell (So.)
Backups: Ty Cooper (Jr.), Branden Jennings (Jr.)
Russell showed some impressive pass-rushing ability as a true freshman, and Cooper played well late in 2023. Jennings is the guy I'm most excited for on this entire defense, and I think he'll be playing more snaps that not quickly.
Inside Linebackers
Starters: John Lewis (Jr.), Stone Blanton (Jr., South Carolina)
Backups: Nic Mitchell (Jr.), J.P. Purvis (Sr.)
There are no questions here, as Lewis and Blanton will start at the MIKE and WILL LB spots inside. Mitchell has played well this offseason, and now healthy, JP Purvis should be back to making an impact.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Brice Pollock (So.), Kelley Jones (RS Fr.)
Backups: Montre Miller (Sr., West Virginia), DeAgo Brumfield (Sr., Memphis), Traveon Wright (RS Fr., Memphis)
In the spring, I'd have put a pair of transfers here, but all reports out of practice have had Pollock and Jones running first team. If that means they're living up to their talent, that'd be a great sign. But the three transfers should all factor in, and any of them could end up starting.
Star/Nickel
Starter: Brylan Lanier (Jr.)
Backup: Hunter Washington (Jr.)
Lanier seems to have been a great pickup out of the JUCO ranks, having impressed throughout the offseason. He's seemingly locked-up the starting spot at nickel, and Washington has experience in that role as well.
Safeties
Starters: Isaac Smith (So.), Corey Ellington (Sr.)
Backups: Tyler Woodard (Jr.), Kobi Albert (So.)
Smith is ready to make a sophomore leap, and Ellington is one of few true veterans on the defense. Woodard will play a big role behind them.