Spring practices will soon begin for Mississippi State football, and that means it's time to start projecting who will start for the Bulldogs in the 2026 season.
2026 Mississippi State Bulldogs Defensive Depth Chart Projection
Let's look at the projected depth chart for the Bulldog defense entering spring...
Defensive End
Starter: Will Whitson (Gr. | 6-5, 295)
Backups: Trevion Williams (R-Jr. | 6-4, 295), Jayson Jenkins (FSU transfer R-Sr. | 6-6, 280)
Whitson may play inside, but in his limited pre-injury action in 2025 at DE, he impressed. Trevion Williams provides a quality backup.
Nose Guard
Starter: Jaray Bledsoe (R-Sr. | 6-4, 315)
Backups: Kalvin Dinkins (R-Sr. | 6-2, 320), Diesel Moye (R-Sr. | 6-5, 345)
Bledsoe led all Bulldog DL with 5.5 TFL last season. A finally-healthy Kalvin Dinkins had his best year in 2025 and could finally blossom in 2026.
Defensive Tackle
Starter: Dealyn Evans (TXAM transfer R-So. | 6-5, 310)
Backups: DJ Reed (R-Jr. | 6-4, 285), Colin Coates (R-Jr. | 6-2, 320)
State beat out Tennessee for promising Texas A&M transfer Dealyn Evans. He enters with one of the highest talent-ceilings in the DL room. DJ Reed showed promising flashes in 2025.
SAM Linebacker
Starter: Amaree Williams (FSU transfer Jr. | 6-4, 240)
Backups: Derrion Gulette (R-Jr. 6-3, 240), Micah Nickerson (Fr. | 6-5, 250)
Williams was State's lone transfer at edge rusher, suggesting DC Zach Arnett feels confident in his ability to takeover his SAM position. There's talk Derrion Gulette makes the move to edge, and talented freshman Micah Nickerson may be impossible to keep off the field as the Bulldogs look for pass rush.
MIKE Linebacker
Starter: Zakari Tillman (Sr. | 6-2, 235)
Backup: Jalen Smith (R-Jr. | 6-2, 230)
Tillman is one of State's most disruptive LBs, which tends to be what Arnett wants from his MIKE. Smith was solid for MSU in his first season with the program.
WILL Linebacker
Starter: Tyler Lockhart (So. | 6-2, 225)
Backup: Fatt Forest (R-So. | 6-2, 235)
Tyler Lockhart showed a lot of promise as a true freshman and is poised for a breakout year as a sophomore. His HS teammate Fatt Forest should be ready to contribute as well.
Cornerbacks
Starters: Kelley Jones (R-Jr. | 6-4, 195), Quentin Taylor Jr. (ISU transfer R-So. | 6-0, 205)
Backups: Jett Jefferson (R-Jr. | 6-1, 190), Kaylib Singleton (SYR transfer R-Fr. | 6-1, 190), Jamroc Grimsley (UF transfer R-So. | 6-2, 200)
A likely 1st round pick in 2027, Kelley Jones is back to lockdown SEC WRs for another year. Iowa State transfer Quentin Taylor Jr. performed well in starting opportunities for the 'Clones in 2025. There are some talented options behind those two also.
DOG Safety
Starter: Isaac Smith (Sr. | 6-0, 220)
Backup: Kendal Dolby (OU transfer Gr. | 5-11, 195)
Field Safety
Starter: Marcus Williams (RICE transfer R-Sr. | 5-11, 200)
Backup: Bralan Womack (Fr. | 6-1, 210)
Boundary Safety
Starter: Jardin Gilbert (LSU transfer Gr. | 6-1, 195)
Backup: Tanner Johnson (R-Sr. | 6-0, 185)
Isaac Smith gets one final go in Starkville and is a perfect fit for Zach Arnett's DOG safety role, functioning both as a deep middle safety and a run-stuffer in the box. Transfer Kendal Dolby played a similar hybrid S/LB role at Oklahoma. Transfers Marcus Williams and Jardin Gilbert bring loads of experience, and freshman Bralan Womack could challenge to start immediately.