May 13, 2025

Mississippi State Bulldogs Face Defensive Challenges Ahead of 2026 Season

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News Summary

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are undergoing a significant overhaul following a disappointing football season marked by poor defensive performance. The team recorded the lowest sack rate in the nation and struggled with allowing high points per game. In efforts to improve, the coaching staff is focused on recruiting top talent and welcoming impactful transfers to bolster their defense. With a new strategy and roster changes, the team hopes to enhance their competitiveness for the upcoming season.

Starkville, Mississippi — The Mississippi State Bulldogs are facing significant challenges following a disappointing 2024 football season, particularly in their defensive performance, prompting a comprehensive roster overhaul and strategic coaching adjustments ahead of the upcoming 2026 season. The Bulldogs’ defensive unit was historically ineffective, as they recorded a meager 3.5 sacks for the entire season, ranking them last in the nation in sack rate at 1.64% against Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) opponents.

During the 2024 season, Mississippi State’s defense allowed an average of 33.3 points per game, placing them among the bottom ranks of power conference teams. Their struggle to pressure opposing quarterbacks was evident throughout the season, which also led to high completion rates in the secondary, where they allowed the highest percentage in the nation at 72.5%. The defense’s inability to convert tackles for loss into sacks hampered their effectiveness, achieving only five sacks for a total of 16 yards this season.

In an effort to boost their defensive capabilities, Vincent Dancy joined the coaching staff in 2025. His primary focus has been on actively recruiting top edge prospects for the 2026 class, leading to several scholarship offers extended to promising young athletes known for their pass-rushing skills. The coaching staff is optimistic that these new recruits will enhance the defensive line’s physicality and effectiveness.

This past spring, the Bulldogs demonstrated signs of improvement, particularly in defending against the run, allowing fewer than 150 rushing yards to top-ranked teams. The coaching staff, led by Jeff Lebby, acknowledges the continued necessity for improvement in both teaching techniques and execution on defense. Players such as Isaac Smith reaffirmed the need for added physicality in their play to better pressure quarterbacks.

Despite the numerous defensive setbacks, the Bulldogs secured turnovers in three consecutive games, showcasing their potential to remain competitive against ranked opponents. However, the ongoing issues with pass defense and inability to stop third downs have remained a concern, as opponents converted third downs at a rate of 49.5%.

In addition to recruiting efforts, Mississippi State has also welcomed several impactful transfers. Coastal Carolina transfer Will Whitson stands out as a significant addition to the defensive line, alongside Jamil Burroughs, Texas transfer Jaray Bledsoe, NC State transfer Red Hibbler, and Northern Illinois transfer Raishein Thomas. Returning players Trevion Williams, Kalvin Dinkins, and Kedrick Bingley-Jones are expected to significantly contribute to the softened competitive landscape that these new transfers create.

The Bulldogs aim to revitalize their defense and increase their competitiveness through these roster changes and focused strategic revisions. With the 2026 season approaching, the coaching staff and players are determined to build upon the lessons learned from a challenging last season, striving for significant improvements on the field come game day.