We're officially in the offseason for Mississippi State football. The Bulldogs wrapped-up a painful season on Black Friday with an Egg Bowl loss, and now all eyes are on to 2025. There's no question that big changes are necessary if Mississippi State is going to get out of this hole next season and begin working their way back to being a competitive program in the SEC. And it starts with upgrading the talent on the roster through the transfer portal.
Mississippi State football's 5 biggest transfer portal needs
State has a lot of needs out the transfer portal, and Jeff Lebby has said he's looking to upgrade at every position. But there are a few positions that should be bigger priorities than the others. Here are the top five biggest needs out of the portal for Mississippi State.
Defensive Line
There is no bigger need for Mississippi State than defensive line. They lack talent and depth in the trenches on defense and got punished by opposing offensive lines. State gave up 217 rush yards per game at nearly 5.0 yards per rush in 2024. And they were just as bad about getting pressure with the entire defensive line combining for just 4.0 sacks. This unit needs a total overhaul.
Edge Rusher
This could be included in defensive line too, but since State plays linebackers on the edge, I'm keeping it separate. State's inability to get after QBs was a problem for more than just the DL. As a team, State had just 10.0 sacks with their edge linebackers totaling 2.5. You have no shot at stopping any passing attack if the QB has all day to throw. The Bulldogs need an elite pass rusher off the edge out of the portal.
Offensive Line
Sticking with the trenches, we go to the other side of the line of scrimmage. State's offensive line was poor this season. They had their moments in the run game as the season progressed, but they were never good enough for the offense to lean on the run. In pass protection, they were awful, allowing 38 sacks on the season. MSU's attempt to portal-in an OL last season didn't go to plan. They have to be more successful this go-round, and it starts with securing a quality left tackle.
Nickelback
State put up poor numbers in pass defense, but it's not all on the secondary considering the lack of pass rush. They've got solid options at cornerback and safety. But at nickel, they struggled mightily throughout the year. State's slot defenders got picked on in coverage frequently. We're in an era where slot receivers have become dominant, downfield threats. The Bulldogs need someone who can consistently hold up in coverage there, which helps a player like Isaac Smith play where he's suited in the box.
Running Back
You could could make arguments for plenty of positions here, but I'll say running back. Davon Booth really emerged as a strong player over the back half of the season, but he's out of eligibility. Johnnie Daniels impressed at times, but it's tough to say if he's a number one back. Xavier Gayten has a high ceiling but is young, and we don't know what Seth Davis' future looks like post-injury. This system needs a punishing back to be at its best, and the portal is where MSU should look for one.