Mississippi State's defense wasn't just the laughing stock of the SEC in 2024. It was one of the laughing stocks of college football. The Bulldogs quite simply had minimal talent, and depth was nonexistent. Jeff Lebby and DC Coleman Hutzler have addressed those problems during the offseason, adding a bevy of quality transfers to the roster. Which new faces are set to start, and what returnees will step-up enough to maintain their jobs?
Mississippi State 2025 defensive depth chart prediction
If one thing is for certain, Mississippi State has legitimate depth across the board on defense this season. Given the struggles of 2024, there's only one player on defense you can truly pencil-in as a starter (the man who made 127 tackles as a DB last year...), so competition will remain fierce. Here's my best guess at the depth chart exiting the spring...
Defensive Tackle
Starters: Will Whitson (Gr.), Jamil Burroughs (Jr.)
Backups: Kalvin Dinkins (Jr.), Trevion Williams (So.), Jaray Bledsoe (Jr.), Kedrick Bingley-Jones (Sr.)
Unlike last year, there's real depth here. Whitson was State's top DL portal addition, and Burroughs had a fantastic spring. Whether or not players like Dinkins and Williams can finally stay healthy and breakout will determine this groups ceiling.
Defensive End
Starter: Red Hibbler (Gr.)
Backups: Deonte Anderson (Sr.), Raishein Thomas (Gr.)
Like with the rest of the DL, there's more depth here. State badly needs to find a pass rush, and NC State transfer Red Hibbler looks like a good candidate to provide that pressure off the edge. Veteran Deonte Anderson had a good spring, and transfer Raishein Thomas is another quality addition.
Jack Linebacker
Starter: Branden Jennings (Sr.)
Backups: Malick Sylla (Sr.), Navaeh Sanders (Gr.)
Again, MSU needs players to provide pass rush, and this is one of the most important positions for that. Branden Jennings was solid in 2024 and needs to take a step forward. Transfers Malick Sylla and Naveah Sanders are good athletes off the edge as well.
Mike Linebacker
Starter: Jalen Smith (So.)
Backup: Derion Gullette (So.)
State added a pair of inside LBs out of the portal, and both should see significant playing time. Tennessee transfer Jalen Smith may have already become the most talented piece in the room, and former Longhorn Derion Gullette is rotational-quality.
Dime Linebacker
Starter: Zakari Tillman (Jr.)
Backup: Nic Mitchell (Sr.)
State's top returning off-ball LBs both play at the Dime (weakside) position. Mitchell was the starter last season, but I've got Zakari Tillman taking that job based on his play down the stretch in 2024.
Star (Nickel)
Starter: Isaac Smith (Jr.)
Backup: Jahron Manning (Sr.)
The clear best player on the defense, Isaac Smith returns to man MSU's Star position. You'll also see him take snaps as a high safety and linebacker to maximize his talent and versatility. Old Dominion transfer Jahron Manning can also play multiple positions but primarily worked at Star in the spring.
Strong Safety
Starter: Tony Mitchell (Jr.)
Backup: Hunter Washington (Sr.)
One of the stars of the spring game, JUCO transfer and former Alabama safety Tony Mitchell is gunning for a starting role, fitting in nicely at strong safety. Veteran Hunter Washington continues his role as the No. 2 at the position.
Free Safety
Starter: Brylan Lanier (Sr.)
Backup: Tyler Woodard (Sr.)
Brylan Lanier has made the move back to high safety after primarily playing corner in 2024. Like several others, he'll likely move around. Tyler Woodard returns at the position as well.
Cornerback
Starters: Kelley Jones (So.), DeAgo Brumfield (Sr.)
Backups: Dwight Lewis III (Sr.), Jayven Williams (Jr.)
We still have major questions here with No. 1 Brice Pollock now at Texas Tech. Jones and Brumfield each made starts last season and seem to be the top options at the moment. But if his transition from NAIA to the SEC goes smoothly, Dwight Lewis III may have the talent to overtake either.