Mississippi State football is now in the midst of their preseason camp, as they gear up for the 2025 season in Starkville. Few questions are bigger in the minds of Bulldog fans than what's in store for the MSU defense after being so horrifically awful last season.
State hit the Transfer Portal heavily to fix that side of the ball, and now they have much better depth and, seemingly, better talent going into 2025. Which of those transfers are poised to start, and which returnees justify staying atop the depth chart? Here are my defensive depth chart predictions at the start of camp...
2025 Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive depth chart prediction
Defensive Line
Starters: Red Hibbler (6-2, 275 GR TR), Jamil Burroughs (6-3, 330 RS SR TR), Will Whitson (6-5, 295 GR TR)
Backups: Deonte Anderson (6-3, 280 RS SR), Kalvin Dinkins (6-2, 320 RS JR), Trevion Williams (6-4, 295 RS JR), Ray Thomas (6-4, 300 GR TR), Kedrick Bingley-Jones (6-4, 320 RS SR)
I included more than just a 2-deep here to highlight that State's got a lot more options here this year, and frankly there are more not included who could certainly see valuable snaps. Because of how poorly this unit played last season, I'm going to assume State starts a trio of transfers until I'm given a reason to think otherwise. Red Hibbler starts at DE, Jamil Burroughs at NT, and Will Whitson at DT. But it's very much an open battle for each spot. Deonte Anderson and Ray Thomas could easily start at end. Fans are desperately hoping Kalvin Dinkins and Trevion Williams finally breakout along the interior.
Linebacker
Starters: Branden Jennings (6-3, 240 RS SR), Jalen Smith (6-2, 230 JR TR), Zakari Tillman (6-2, 235 JR)
Backups: Malick Sylla (6-6, 255 SR TR), Derion Gullette (6-3, 240 RS SO TR), Nic Mitchell (6-2, 230 RS SR)
There's a chance this ends up being a really strong group. Branden Jennings returns as the starter at Jack (Edge) and should get far more pass-rush opportunities this year. Zakari Tillman earns the starting nod after making several big plays as a backup last season, and transfer Jalen Smith settles in alongside him. Malick Sylla should also be a strong pass-rusher for the Bulldogs, and Nic Mitchell will see plenty of action.
Cornerback
Starters: Kelley Jones (6-4, 195 RS SO), DeAgo Brumfield (6-0, 190 RS SR)
Backups: Dwight Lewis III (6-1, 195 RS SR TR), Jett Jefferson (6-1, 190 JR), Jayven Williams (6-2, 185 RS JR TR)
Here's where things get quite iffy. Does MSU have a pair of SEC-caliber starting corners? Do they even have one? That's a big question. Kelley Jones seems to be solidified as a starter, and MSU desperately needs his athletic potential to match his production. Any of the others listed here could easily end up starting. I lean Brumfield based on experience, but Dwight Lewis III this intriguing if he can make the jump from NAIA to the SEC.
Safety
Starters: Isaac Smith (6-0, 220 JR), Brylan Lanier (6-1, 190 RS SR), Jahron Manning (5-10, 195 SR TR)
Backups: Tony Mitchell (6-1, 215 JR), Hunter Washington (5-11, 200 RS SR), Tyler Woodard (6-2, 210 RS JR)
This is another room to feel good about. Star (both literally his position and a way of describing him) Isaac Smith could probably be included with the linebackers, as his role will largely be as a tackling machine in the box. Transfer Jahron Manning was highly productive last season at a lower level, and Brylan Lanier should be most comfortable playing over top. Tony Mitchell might be on par with Smith in terms of talent. But they're also similar in terms of role, so for now I've got him off the bench.