NCAA Transfer Portal: Mississippi State Still Adjusting Roster Under Mike Leach

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

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Mike Leach’s first game as Mississippi State’s head coach could not have gone any better a year ago. The Bulldogs walked into Death Valley to take on the defending national champs celebrating on the way out after a 44-34 victory over the No. 6 team in the nation. But then a four-game losing streak broken up by a 24-17 win against Vanderbilt dovetailed into a three-game slide. Yet, winning brings optimism and those in Starkville can hang their collective hats on closing out with victories against Missouri and then- No. 24 Tulsa in the Armed Forces Bowl (Fort Worth, TX). But due to the NCAA Transfer Portal, the Bulldogs’ roster will look drastically different this fall.

MSU is not close to having their name dragged around the most in the portal, but they are up there. So far 20 players have left with just six coming to the program. The college football world expected heavy losses on offense for the Bulldogs, especially at quarterback, as Leach reshapes the offense in his image, but 13 are gone from that side of the ball. The shocker, of the 13 that includes five receivers, which four were rated as three-stars out of high school with Tyrell Shavers earning four-star status.

Adding a positive outlook to the new look roster, Leach and Co. performed well in quick work along the recruiting trail securing the 26th rated class in the nation. Of the 23 players signed, five are four-stars with 17 talents listed as three-star prospects.

Mississippi State Players Transferring Out

Quarterback (3)

Garrett Shrader – to Syracuse

Jalen Mayden – to San Diego State

Allan Walters – undetermined

Running Back (2)

Kareem Walker – undetermined

Lee Witherspoon – UAB

Receiver (5)

Tyrell Shavers – to San Diego State

JaVonta Payton – undetermined

Kyziah Pruitt – undetermined

Dontea Jones – undetermined

Cameron Gardner – undetermined

Offensive Line (3)

Brandon Cunningham – undetermined

Nick Pendley – to Georgia Tech

James Jackson – to South Alabama

Defensive Linemen (3)

Jamari Stewart – South Florida

Tre Lawson – undetermined

Devon Robinson – Memphis

Defensive Backs (3)

Javorrius Selmon – to Jackson State

Korey Charles – Western Illinois

Taury Dixon – undetermined

Special Teams (1)

K Jace Christmann – to Florida

Players Transferring to Mississippi State

Quarterback (3)

Jack Abraham – from Southern Miss

Chance Lovertich – from South Alabama

Jack Kristofek – Sam Houston State

Receiver (1)

Makai Polk – from Cal

Defensive Linemen (1)

Randy Charlton – from Central Florida

Defensive Backs (1)

Jalen Green – from Texas

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Photo credit: hailstate.com; No. 0 JaVonta Payton

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