Mississippi State football is almost back, and we're previewing each position group for the Bulldogs in their first season under Jeff Lebby. Next up is State tight ends, a position that hasn't seen much success in Starkville in the modern era, but there's reason to believe this group could breakout in 2024.
Here's as a look at State's tight ends this season...
Who makes up Mississippi State's tight ends room?
To revamp the TE room, State added a pair of transfers this offseason. Vanderbilt-transfer Justin Ball comes in after starting for the Commodores in 2023. His stats in Nashville were modest, but he's a veteran with a prototypical TE build and impressed in the spring game with a pair of TDs. His younger brother, Cam Ball, transfers in from Buffalo and was rated as a 4-star in the portal. But the biggest addition to the room was actually on campus last season. Seydou Traore was forced to sit-out last season due to transfer rules that no longer exist, and MSU missed him badly. The former Arkansas State TE led the Red Wolves in receiving in 2022 with 50 catches for 655 yards and four TDs. He's got the skillset of a WR and will be a heavily-utilized weapon in Jeff Lebby's offense.
Reasons for optimism in Mississippi State's tight ends
Traore alone provides State will plenty of reason to be optimistic about the TE position. He's the most gifted pass-catcher the Bulldogs have had there in years. Traore reminds me a lot of former Oklahoma TE Brayden Willis, who had a huge season playing for Jeff Lebby in 2022. Traore's a mismatch over the middle of the field and will open up the offense significantly. But the Ball brothers shouldn't be overlooked. Justin is a quality #2 that can play a more traditional TE role, and Cam's got a high ceiling.
Reasons for concern with Mississippi State's tight ends
The biggest concern here is simply that we haven't seen the TE be a key part of the MSU offense in years. The position literally didn't exist under Mike Leach, and the attempt to integrate them back into the offense last year failed miserably. But even in the pre-Air Raid years, Bulldog TEs were seldom thrown to. While there's talent at the position and trust in Lebby to properly utilize it, to a certain extent, we need to see it to believe it.