As Mississippi State football looks to orchestrate a major turnaround from last season's 2-10 debacle, they're going to rely heavily on transfers. But there are quite a few returnees they're counting on as well, some of whom need to finally have strong seasons for the Bulldogs. MSU needs these players to step-up in 2025...
Offensive Lineman Albert Reese IV
After three years of limited action, Albert Reese IV got the chance to be a contributor for Mississippi State last season. He emerged as a team leader and started at right tackle for much of the year as the lone "non-transfer" in the starting five up front. However, Reese IV's play was shaky at best. Learning a third offense didn't help him, but you hoped for more from the one true veteran in the room. He's back for a final go in 2025 and is again in line to start, though that may be a guard. As the old guy up front who is now in his second year in the offense, Albert Reese IV needs to standout as a top performer for the OL.
Defensive End Deonte Anderson
With as bad as State's defensive line was last season, much of the attention in the offseason for key players there has been on transfers, understandably so. But some returnees are still going to factor in and will almost certainly need to. And MSU ideally needs defensive end Deonte Anderson to finally deliver a solid season. He's gotten regular snaps and even a few starts over the last two years, but he's yet to make a noticeable impact. Well now he's reached his final year of eligibility. This is quite literally it for him. The Bulldogs need multiple players who can set the edge of the front, and at this point, you'd like for Anderson to show he can handle that.
Cornerback Kelley Jones
Mississippi State needs someone to be their No. 1 corner, and right now all signs point to redshirt sophomore Kelley Jones to take that job. Jones is listed at 6-4 and is considered one of the fastest players on the roster. That combination of size and speed gives him the potential to be a truly special player at cornerback. But potential does not equal production. Jones had an up-and-down 2024 season, though he closed it on a high note with a strong showing in the Egg Bowl. The player we saw to end last year is the player Mississippi State needs him to be in 2025.