Bulldogs hope destruction of '24 sets a foundation for '25 construction

Sometimes destruction is needed for construction.

Mississippi State has taken care of the first part.

Last season — the first under coach Jeff Lebby — Mississippi State collapsed to its worst football season in 21 years.

The Bulldogs finished 2-10. They only beat Eastern Kentucky and Massachusetts. Their eight Southeastern Conference losses were all by 10 points or more.

That futility was hard to take for a program that had posted nine victories just two years before under the late Mike Leach.

As offensive coordinator at Oklahoma (2022-23), Ole Miss (2020-01) and UCF (2017-19), Lebby’s teams averaged at least 32.8 points. Four were ranked among the nation’s top 10 in scoring.

So, Lebby was brought in to reconstruct the Mississippi State offense, which averaged just 21.8 points under Zach Arnett in 2023.

But last season, the Bulldogs averaged 25.8 points and were held to 20 or less in five games.

Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Blake Shapen appeared in just four games in 2024.

They must be better offensively, especially because their defense was among the nation’s weakest in 2024.

However, since last season, freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (LSU) and receivers Kevin Coleman Jr. (Missouri) and Mario Craver (Texas A&M) transferred. Four offensive line starters completed eligibility.

Lebby is optimistic, though. Leading rushers Davon Booth and Johnnie Daniels return. Concerns at receiver and offensive line were addressed as part of 33 additions via the transfer portal.

Also, quarterback Blake Shapen, who started the first four games of 2024, is back from a shoulder injury.

Shapen passed for 974 yards and eight touchdowns prior to his injury. Before last year, he passed for more than 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons at Baylor.

“He’s had great success,” Lebby said of Shapen earlier this spring. "He’s had a ton of production. For me, having that guy in year two of the system after just being able to start the first four games of the season last year is huge.

“Looking for the best version of him. He’s had a really good spring. He’s healthy. He feels great. His body is really in the best shape it’s ever been in. We’re excited about him.”

There isn’t nearly as much excitement for the defense.

Linebacker Stone Blanton and safety Isaac Smith are high-quality players, but an array of transfers — including edge rusher Malick Sylla from Texas A&M — are needed to bolster a unit, which last year posted just 10 sacks, forced a league-low 12 turnovers and allowed 49 touchdowns.

Mississippi State Bulldogs

2024 record: 2-10; 0-8 in the SEC

Matt Bush-Imagn Images

Davon Booth ran for 759 yards on 152 attempts in 2024.

Primary area of strength: The offense projects to be improved in its second season under Lebby. The bar is low. Last season, the Bulldogs were ranked 13th in the SEC in total offense and 14th in scoring offense. They were more successful passing than rushing. Quarterback Blake Shapen is back from injury. The return of running back Johnnie Daniels and addition of receivers from the transfer portal spur hope the offense can be productive. It’ll have to be because…

Primary area of concern: Defense is worrisome. The Bulldogs were last in the SEC in total offense and scoring offense. Fingers are crossed that an influx of transfers can help.

Top returners

• QB Blake Shapen: He opened last season as the starter but made it only four games before suffering a season-ending injury. Shapen passed 974 yards and eight touchdowns with just one interception before his injury. He also rushed for 36 yards and two touchdowns.
• RB Johnnie Daniels: Last year’s backup, Daniels rushed for 540 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.
• LB Stone Blanton: He toyed with entering the NFL draft but opted to return. That was the best news delivered in Starkville. Blanton was the second on the team with 125 tackles and fourth in tackles for loss. He also broke up three passes and forced two fumbles.

Key additions

• WR Anthony Evans III: A transfer from Georgia, he has 13 career receptions for 123 yards and a touchdown.
• WR Ayden Williams: A 6-foot-3, 205-pound transfer from Ole Miss. In two seasons in Oxford, he had even receptions for 173 yards.
• DL Jaray Bledsoe: The 6-foot-4, 290-pound transfer from Texas is among a group of transfers brought in with hopes of bolstering the defense. He had seven tackles in three seasons for the Longhorns.

Key losses

• QB Michael Van Buren: Tough break. As a true freshman, Van Buren took over the quarterback role when Shapen was injured. He passed for 1,886 yards and 11 touchdowns and rushed for five touchdowns. He provided hope for the future...until he transferred to LSU.
• WR Kevin Coleman: Last season’s leading receiver left for Missouri after catching 74 passes for 932 yards and six touchdowns.
• WR Mario Craver: A year ago, as a true freshman, Craver averaged 21.6 yards on 17 catches and had three touchdowns. He left for Texas A&M.

2025 Mississippi State Schedule

• Aug. 30 at Southern Miss
• Sept. 6 vs. Arizona State
• Sept. 13 vs. Alcorn State
• Sept. 20 vs. Northern Illinois
• Sept. 27 vs. Tennessee
• Oct. 4 at Texas A&M
• Oct. 18 at Florida
• Oct. 25 vs. Texas
• Nov. 1 at Arkansas
• Nov. 8 vs. Georgia
• Nov. 15 at Missouri
• Nov. 28 vs. Ole Miss