There’s a new era in Starkville, Mississippi, as the Mississippi State Bulldogs transition to the Jeff Lebby era. Many expect to see a highly prolific offense combined with a defense with many question marks heading into the fall of 2024. Mississippi State has two returning defensive starters returning in the fall of 2024, but that hasn’t hindered the Bulldogs in their preparation for the season-opening game against Eastern Kentucky on the 31st. Just the other day, Coach Lebby mentioned to the media how impressed he was with his defensive unit to this point in fall camp, with the sheer mental toughness and heart to overcome the adversity of the unknown to deliver Mississippi State with a defense that can win ballgames during the 2024 season.

Starting up front on the defensive line, De’Monte Russell returns for the Bulldogs after a successful 2023 season with 24 tackles and a sack. You have a pair of guys in Trevion Williams and Kalvin Dinkins at defensive tackle. Trevion Williams missed a large part of the 2023 season with an injury that impaired the unit’s efficacy. There are a lot of expectations for Williams to have a breakout season this fall if he can stay healthy. Kalvin Dinkins missed the Mississippi State spring game due to a foot injury.

The linebacker core is one of the most intriguing groups for Mississippi State this season. Replacing legends is hard, but replacing Jett Johnson and Bookie Watson in year one of a new coaching staff is challenging. Yet, Coach Lebby and his staff have addressed the issue head-on with the addition of Stone Blanton, the South Carolina transfer, and the development of Donterry Russell and John Lewis. They won’t be Bookie or Jett, but they will give Mississippi State a ground of grown men in the middle needed for success in the Southeastern Conference.

Mississippi State added two guys from the transfer portal in the secondary: Brylan Lanier from East Mississippi Community College and Monte Miller from West Virginia. Both guys give defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler two guys with starting experience to teach guys like Brice Pollock and Issac Smith. Good news for the secondary is the return of Corey Ellington, who decided to make his triumphant return to Starkville, believing in the new coaching staff and giving the Bulldogs a veteran leadership with knowledge of what it takes to be a Mississippi State Bulldog.

Sure, there are a lot of questions for the Mississippi State defense to answer this fall. However, the coaching staff is sure to be calm heading into the opening game against Eastern Kentucky. It might take a few games to get things ironed out, but there’s talent on the defensive side of the ball for the Bulldogs; they’ll get it figured out, allowing the Bulldogs to return to the postseason after missing out last season.

Photo Credits: Mississippi State Football