Mississippi State

Taylor is expected to start after closing 2025 in that role. He has made two career starts, earned two SEC Freshman of the Week awards and drew praise from Lebby for his preparation and retention. His running ability can alter defensive numbers and create opportunities beyond the original play design, but Mississippi State still needs to keep obvious passing situations from defining his season. Veteran transfers AJ Swann and Jaden Rashada provide experienced alternatives, though their order behind Taylor will be settled in camp.

Fluff Bothwell can ease that burden if his return to health carries into the season. The 230-pound back said he was fully healthy after an injury affected the latter half of 2025, and Lebby described his spring and summer as strong. A productive Bothwell would give the Bulldogs a credible downhill complement to Taylor and help preserve the play-action element of the offense. That balance matters most on high-leverage downs, when asking Taylor to create everything himself would expose both his inexperience and the line around him.

Anthony Evans III is the established receiving anchor after recording 831 yards in 2025. He has set Mississippi State’s single-season receiving record as a personal goal, but his immediate importance is simpler: he gives Taylor a proven target after Brenen Thompson’s departure. Ayden Williams and Sanfrisco Magee return, while transfers Marquis Johnson and Zion Ragins add speed suited to Lebby’s vertical passing game. At tight end, Oregon State transfer Riley Williams brings veteran experience to a young group whose receiving and blocking roles remain open.

The offensive line may decide how much of that skill-position promise becomes usable. Lebby said six linemen entered camp capable of playing winning football, while also emphasizing the need for more depth. Eight portal additions, including DJ Chester, LJ Prudhomme, Miles McVay and Brandon Sneh, give the staff options. The pressing task is turning those options into a coherent five-man unit and developing dependable reserves. Taylor’s growth and Bothwell’s effectiveness both depend on consistent protection and clean run fits.

Arnett’s defensive mandate is to make Mississippi State the aggressor, affect quarterbacks and create negative plays. He previously coordinated three consecutive Bulldogs defenses that ranked among the SEC’s top five from 2020 through 2022. Returning interior linemen Diesel Moye, DJ Reed and Trevion Williams provide size, while Dealyn Evans, Jayson Jenkins and edge transfer Amaree Williams add new possibilities up front. Linebackers Fatt Forrest, Derion Gullette and Tyler Lockhart return under co-coordinator Matt Brock, giving the middle of the defense some continuity as Arnett installs his approach.

The secondary has two reliable reference points in corner Kelley Jones and safety Isaac Smith. Jones allowed the fewest receptions among SEC corners in 2025, while Smith is a three-year letterman and an established leadership voice. Transfers will compete for the jobs around them, making communication and role definition central to camp. Those answers must come quickly. After opening at home against ULM, State visits Minnesota and South Carolina before hosting Missouri and Alabama. Later dates at LSU and Texas surround a home game against Oklahoma, and the regular season ends at Ole Miss. A clean September would create valuable room for error; reaching it will require Taylor’s supporting cast and Arnett’s rebuilt defense to mature on the field, not merely look improved on paper.

Win probability

14%

Defensive havoc rate

13.5%

Front-seven havoc

7.6%