Draft Scout Mississippi State Player News, College Football: Mississippi State

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Draft Scout College Football Player News: Mississippi State

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08/31/24 - Blake Shapen, rSr/2025, Mississippi State + More +

Mississippi State scored 28 points in the first half and started the Jeff Lebby era with a blowout win, 56-7 over Eastern Kentucky on Saturday. All three phases scored for the Bulldogs with touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams. Quarterback Blake Shapen debuted the new offense with a 15 of 20 showing as the Baylor transfer found the end zone three times through the air and had 247 yards. On the ground, Shapen led the team with seven carries for 44 yards and a rushing score.

The Bulldogs (1-0) had four wide receivers score touchdowns as Jordan Mosely had five catches for 104 yards and a touchdown and Kevin Coleman had five catches for 88 yards and a score. Coleman also had five punt returns for 117 yards. MSU scored touchdowns on its first two possessions before a rain storm dampened the progress. The Bulldogs were back in the end zone in the second quarter on a Creed Whittemore 41-yard end around and then back-to-back touchdown passes to Coleman from 23 yards away and freshman Mario Craver for 54 yards. Special teams got in on the mix with a blocked punt from JP Purvis-recovered by Craver-and another true freshman in defensive back Elijah Cannon had a 51-yard pick-6. - AP College Football

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QB Blake Shapen, Mississippi State
News Source: AP College Football
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03/04/23 - GeorQuarius Spivey, rSr/2024, Mississippi State + More +

For the second time in his college career, tight end Geor'Quarius Spivey will be playing for Mississippi State football. Spivey announced Thursday via social media he is transferring back to MSU after spending the last two seasons at TCU. Spivey started his career in Starkville where he appeared in three games before redshirting in 2018. He made five starts in 24 games across the next two seasons, collecting 14 catches for 153 yards. However, with former coach Mike Leach's Air Raid offense not utilizing a tight end, he transferred out.

He was a 3-star recruit from Ridgewood High School in Monroe, Louisiana, winning a state championship his senior year. Spivey collected three starts in 10 games in 2021, recording just three catches for nine yards. During last season's run to the national title game, Spivey caught 11 catches for 136 yards and a touchdown for the Horned Frogs. Spivey entered the portal in mid-February. With new MSU offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay hired using a tight end, Spivey became an obvious target. - The Clarion Ledger

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TE GeorQuarius Spivey, Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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02/28/23 - Decamerion Richardson, rJr/2024, Mississippi State + More +

Mississippi State has gotten into a cycle where the No. 2 corner back can step into a bigger role. Emmanuel Forbes did so when Martin Emerson left for the NFL, and Decamerion Richardson is expected to do the same behind Forbes. However, who will arise as the No. 2 corner alongside Richardson? Alabama transfer Marcus Banks spent last season learning behind the starter as did junior college product DeCarlos Nicholson. Mississippi State also hit the portal hard at the position. Khamauri Rogers had little playing time in his lone season at Miami, but he was a four-star product out of high school who had heavy interest from the Bulldogs as a Madison, Mississippi, native. - The Clarion Ledger

rJr/2024

CB Decamerion Richardson, Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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02/08/23 - Caleb Ducking, rSr/2023, Mississippi State + More +

Mississippi State football wide receiver Caleb Ducking has entered the transfer portal, according to reports from The Athletic and On3. The move comes about a month after Ducking declared for the 2023 NFL Draft in a since-deleted tweet and also said he was looking for an agent in a tweet.

Ducking will be using a sixth season of eligibility. He spent two seasons at Holmes Community College before joining Mississippi State in 2020. He redshirted his first year with the Bulldogs. He appeared in seven games in 2021, recording nine catches for 83 yards. After fellow outside receiver Makai Polk left for the 2022 NFL Draft, Ducking stepped into a bigger role. Ducking caught 46 passes for 477 yards last season and led Mississippi State with eight reception touchdowns. - The Clarion Ledger

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WR Caleb Ducking, Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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01/30/23 - Ethan Miner, rSr/2025, Mississippi State + More +

North Texas lost the anchor of its offensive line after last season. The Mean Green may have found a replacement in former Arkansas State center Ethan Miner. Miner entered the transfer portal after the 2022 season and announced his decision to continue his career with the Mean Green on Tuesday. "See you in May UNT!" Miner wrote on his Twitter account.

Miner, who is 6-foot-3 and 295 pounds, will have two seasons of eligibility remaining with the Mean Green. UNT was headed into its first season under new coach Eric Morris with a significant hole in its lineup at center after Manase Mose graduated. Mose was a first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2022, when he became UNT's all-time leader in games started with 62. Miner started 24 games over the course of the last three seasons at ASU, including 12 starts at center last season. - Denton Record

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C Ethan Miner, Mississippi State
News Source: Denton Record
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01/19/23 - Lideatrick Griffin, Sr/2024, Mississippi State + More +

Five days after announcing he entered his name into the transfer portal, Mississippi State football wide receiver and kick returner Lideatrick Griffin has made a decision. He's returning to play for the Bulldogs. With Rara Thomas transferring to Georgia and Caleb Ducking declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft, Mississippi State's receivers room was starting to thin, so securing Griffin's return was crucial. Griffin has 71 catches for 779 yards and five touchdowns through three seasons.

Four of those touchdowns came last season, including a 19-yard touchdown late in the first half of MSU's Egg Bowl victory against Ole Miss. However, Griffin largely built his name on special teams. Griffin led the nation last season with 32.3 yards per kick return. In 2021, he ranked fifth with 32.8 yards per return. Griffin has returned one touchdown each of the last two seasons ?a 100-yard opening kickoff return against NC State in 2021 and a 92-yard return in a win against Auburn last season. - The Clarion Ledger

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WR Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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01/16/23 - Kobi Albert, rSo/2027, Mississippi State + More +

A transfer portal class filled with defensive backs got richer for Mississippi State football and first-year coach Zach Arnett on Saturday. Kobi Albert, a transfer safety from Kentucky, announced his commitment to MSU via social media. Of the five players the Bulldogs have landed from the portal, Albert is the fourth defensive back.

He joins Khamauri Rogers (Miami), Christopher Keys (Indiana) and Ray'Darious Jones (LSU). The other transfer addition is former UCLA kicker Nicholas Barr-Mira. Albert spent one season at Kentucky. He appeared in 10 games, recorded three tackles and one tackle for loss. Albert is a native of Fairfield, Alabama, where he attended Fairfield Preparatory School. He was listed as an athlete out of high school and a four-star prospect, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. He was the No. 17 prospect in Alabama and the No. 20 athlete in the nation. - The Clarion Ledger

rSo/2027

FS Kobi Albert, Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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01/15/23 - Lideatrick Griffin, Sr/2024, Mississippi State + More +

In one of the most surprising twists of the offseason, Mississippi State football wide receiver and kick returner Lideatrick Griffin has entered the transfer portal, he announced on social media Friday. Griffin has been among the most active Bulldogs on social media in trying to recruit other transfers to come to Starkville. He's the third outside receiver to depart from MSU this offseason, joining Rara Thomas (transfer to Georgia) and Caleb Ducking (NFL Draft). Griffin caught 35 passes for 449 yards in 2022 while scoring four touchdowns. In three seasons with the Bulldogs, he caught 71 passes for 779 yards and five touchdowns. However, Griffin was at his best on special teams.

Griffin, who goes by "Tulu," returned 40 kickoffs in his MSU career for an average of 33.3 yards. He has returned a kickoff for a touchdown in each of the last two seasons, including a 100-yard opening kickoff return against NC State in 2021. His 32.3 yards per kick return in 2022 led the "I wanna thank the whole MSU coaching staff for believing in me throughout the last 3 years!" Griffin wrote in a social media post Friday. "...I wanna thank the wonderful fans. I'm grateful that I got to play for y'all every Saturday!" - The Clarion Ledger

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WR Lideatrick Griffin, Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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01/14/23 - DeMonte Russell, rSr/2024, Mississippi State + More +

Mississippi State defensive lineman De'Monte Russell and safety Shawn Preston Jr. announced on social media they'll be returning to Starkville for the 2023 season. With linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson and defensive lineman Jordan Davis announcing their intent to return as well in the last two months, it's been a promising offseason for MSU's defense. Russell is a Jackson native who was a four-star prospect out of Provine High School in the 2019 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

He played three of his four season and recorded 26 tackles and a forced fumble. He'll be a redshirt-senior next season with the extra COVID-19 season available in 2024 if he elects to use it. Preston was a 2018 three-star prospect out of St. James High School in St. James, Louisiana. He will be using his extra COVID-19 season to come back. In 41 games through five seasons, Preston has 143 tackles, five tackles for loss, two interceptions and one fumble recovery...Indiana transfer defensive back Christopher Keys committed to MSU - Mississippi Clarion Ledger

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DE DeMonte Russell, Mississippi State
News Source: Mississippi Clarion Ledger
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01/12/23 - Shawn Preston Jr., rSr/2024, Mississippi State + More +

Mississippi State football coach Zach Arnett stressed continuity in his system when he served as the program's defensive coordinator. With linebackers coach Matt Brock stepping up to call the defense while Arnett serves as the head coach, the importance of having players with experience in the scheme is even more valuable. The Bulldogs should have plenty of that. Wednesday, defensive lineman De'Monte Russell and safety Shawn Preston Jr. announced on social media they'll be returning to Starkville for the 2023 season.

With linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson and defensive lineman Jordan Davis announcing their intent to return as well in the last two months, it's been a promising offseason for MSU's defense. Russell is a Jackson native who was a four-star prospect out of Provine High School in the 2019 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. In four seasons, three of which he took the field, Russell has recorded 26 tackles and a forced fumble. He'll be a redshirt-senior next season with the extra COVID-19 season available in 2024 if he elects to use it. - The Clarion Ledger

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SS Shawn Preston Jr., Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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01/12/23 - Nick Barr-Mira, rSr/2025, Mississippi State + More +

Kicking has been a struggle for Mississippi State football the last couple years, but it was a bright spot in the team's ReliaQuest Bowl win on Jan. 2. Massimo Biscardi accounted for six of the Bulldogs' 19 points. However, after exhausting his eligibility, Biscardi won't be able to carry that momentum into next season for MSU. Mississippi State has found his replacement.

Nicholas Barr-Mira announced his commitment to MSU on Tuesday. He spent the last four years at UCLA. Barr-Mira made 15-21 kicks in 2022 with a long of 49. He also recorded 25 punts. Barr-Mira was 35-49 in three seasons taking the field for the Bruins after sitting out his freshman season. He is a native of Palos Verdes, California, who also received offers from Hawaii and Michigan out of Loyola High School. - The Clarion Ledger

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P Nick Barr-Mira, Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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01/09/23 - Chris Keys Jr., rSr/2025, Mississippi State + More +

Mississippi State football has put an emphasis on defensive backs in the transfer portal, and it's proving worthwhile so far. The latest addition: Indiana transfer Christopher Keys who committed to MSU on Sunday. Keys is the third transfer portal addition for MSU since the end of the regular season. He joins defensive backs Khamauri Rogers (Miami) and Ray'Darious Jones (LSU). Like Rogers and Jones, Keys is returning to his native state.

Keys is a Collins, Mississippi, native who was a three-star prospect out of Collins High School in the 2020 recruiting class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Keys spent the last three seasons at Indiana, where he appeared in 14 games with two starts. He redshirted his freshman season in 2020, though he did participate in three games, including an Outback Bowl loss against Ole Miss. Keys appeared in two games in 2021, but his year was cut short by a season-ending injury. - The Clarion Ledger

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SS Chris Keys Jr., Mississippi State
News Source: The Clarion Ledger
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01/07/23 - Kevin Coleman Jr., Jr/2026, Mississippi State + More +

Louisville football signed three wide receivers from the Class of 2023 last month during the early National Signing Day but will have one more coming this fall. Former Jackson State receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. committed to Louisville on Thursday evening, adding to head coach Jeff Brohm's first signing class with the Cardinals. Coleman, who was the SWAC Freshman of the Year last season, played for coach Deion Sanders at JSU before he left to become Colorado's head football coach. The group of incoming wide receivers includes William Fowles, Jahlil McClain and Cataurus Hicks, all of whom are three-star recruits. Jimmy Calloway and Jadon Thompson add to the mix after opting to transfer in from Tennessee and Cincinnati, respectively.

In his collegiate debut, Coleman, deemed a top-20 transfer prospect by Rivals, was the Tigers' third-leading receiver, totaling 475 yards and 13 touchdowns on 32 catches in 13 games played as JSU ended the season with a 12-1 record and the program's first perfect regular season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pound receiver added special teams duties, averaging a team-high 23.3 yards per kickoff return in addition to 8.7 yards per punt return. Prior to coming to Jackson State, a historically Black university, Coleman was a four-star recruit, the No. 6 wide receiver in the Class of 2021, ranked 54th nationally and the top-rated recruit in Missouri, according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings. - Courier Journal

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WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Mississippi State
News Source: Courier Journal
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01/02/23 - Marcus Banks, rSr/2024, Mississippi State + More +

Massimo Biscardi made a 27-yard tiebreaking field goal with four seconds left, Marcus Banks returned a fumble 60 yards for a touchdown on the game's last play and No. 24 Mississippi State rallied to beat Illinois 19-10 in the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday in the Bulldogs' first game since coach Mike Leach's death. Banks' score came on Illinois' fifth lateral following a completed pass after the Fighting Ilini got the ball at their own 29. There was a scrum on the field as the game ended, but order was restored after a couple of minutes. Will Rogers was 29 of 44 yards for 261 yards and one touchdown for Mississippi State (9-4, No. 22 CFP). Tommy DeVito completed 23 of 34 passes for 253 yards for Illinois (8-5). Reggie Love III rushed for 53 yards on 12 carries for Illinois. Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown, the nation’s second-leading rusher in the regular season with 1,643 yards, sat out to prepare for the NFL draft.

Mississippi State was held without a touchdown until the first play of the fourth quarter, when Rogers connected on an eight-yard throw to Justin Robinson that tied the game at 10. The Bulldogs averaged 32.7 points during the regular season. Illinois, which entered allowing 12.3 points and held six opponents to under 10 points, played without defensive backs Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown. Both opted out ahead of the NFL draft. DeVito put Illinois up 7-0 on a two-yard run with 2:49 left in the second quarter. Mississippi State responded with a 38-yard field goal by Biscardi with nine seconds to go in the first half. IIlinois went up 10-3 on a 52-yard field goal by Caleb Griffin midway through the third. Mississippi State was limited to 50 yards on its first three possessions, while the next two ended on interceptions by Matthew Bailey and Kendall Smith. Illinois tops the nation with 24 interceptions. - Mississippi State/AP College Football

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FS Marcus Banks, Mississippi State
News Source: Mississippi State/AP College Football
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01/01/23 - *Emmanuel Forbes, Jr/2023, Mississippi State + More +

Emmanuel Forbes' status for next season has been known. He declared for the 2023 NFL Draft on Dec. 1, meaning Mississippi State football will be without its All-America defensive back moving forward. However, his status for the ReliaQuest Bowl on Monday (11 a.m., ESPN2) against Illinois (8-4) was left uncertain. That was answered Thursday as MSU announced Forbes will take the field for MSU (8-4) one last time as the team looks to honor the death of coach Mike Leach with a bowl win.

Forbes joins key players such as defensive lineman Cameron Young and center LaQuinston Sharp in participating in the bowl despite declaring for the NFL. That comes as Illinois has had key players such as running back Chase Brown and defensive backs Devon Witherspoon and Sydney Brown opt out. Forbes intercepted six passes this season to bring his career total in three seasons to 14. Of those interceptions, six have been returned for a touchdown − an FBS record. - The Clarion Ledger

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