Predicting the future is tricky for any subject, but especially for sports.
How about if you are a college football fan of Mississippi State, Ole Miss, or Southern Mississippi? You want to give it a try? Before giving it your best shot, remember the unexpected events and unforeseen injuries – as well as other variables – that can alter the course of a team’s success. Read the following recaps and observations and see what you think about your favorite Mississippi team.
Southern Miss
When you only win one game, a change becomes necessary. So, The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Director Jeremy McLain went out and hired Marshall football coach Charles Huff, who had just led Marshall to the Sun Belt football championship. Huff made the move to Hattiesburg and drastically changed the roster overnight, bringing in 50 transfers — 21 of those from his former school.
Huff brought last year’s Marshall quarterback Braylon Braxton to lead the Golden Eagle offense. The senior led the Thundering Herd to an 8-0 record as the starter. The Frisco, Texas, native threw for 1,624 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 6 foot 2, 225-pound Braxton was only intercepted twice last season. He also rushed for 640 yards and had four rushing touchdowns.
If you look at the depth chart on offense, 10 transfers are penciled in as starters. Tight ends Kyirin Heath and Reed Jesiolowski and offensive guard Greg Nunnery return. USM’s receiving corps was depleted, so Huff brought five of his Marshall receivers. The running back position added two transfers in Jackson’s Matt Jones and Taylorsville’s Jeffery Pittman. In addition to Nunnery returning, five more offensive linemen transfers were signed.
The defense added five transfers to help run the 4-2-5 defensive set. Eric Thomas and McCombs’s Jameer Lewis return at defensive end while Brodarius Lewis is back at right tackle. Sophomore Chris Jones of Byram returns at linebacker along with cornerback Brendan Toles of Oxford.
USM will host seven home games this year. They begin the season hosting Mississippi State and Jackson State on back-to-back weekends.
The Golden Eagles should be very much improved talent wise with the influx of experienced transfers.
Ole Miss
Lane Kiffin, as he has done the last several years, hit the NCAA transfer portal in earnest. The reason was simple: he lost 14 starters from last year’s 10-win team.
Kiffin always runs a high-octane offense, and this year will be no exception. QB Austin Simmons will have a learning curve as he tries to replace Jaxson Dart. Simmons has the makings of being a top-notch signal caller. Ole Miss has Cayden Lee returning at receiver and has added five receivers plus the top Mississippi high school receiver in Weir’s Caleb Cunningham, along with Oklahoma State’s De’Zhaun Stribling, and Penn State’s Harrison Wallace. Simmons will have tight end Dae’Quan Wright back along with running back Logan Diggs. The line is led by returning center Brycen Sanders, guard Diego Pounds and tackle Jayden Williams. Kiffin has also brought in Arkansas transfer Patrick Kutas along with five more offensive linemen.
The Rebel’s defense was one of the best in the SEC last season. The linebackers, led by Raleigh’s Suntarine Perkins and T. J. Dottery, are talented. The Rebels brought in four defensive backs to help the lone returner in Nick Cull in the 4-2-5 defensive scheme. They also signed two linemen out of the portal to go with Germantown’s Zxavian Harris (NT) and Moss Point’s Jamarious Brown (DT). The Rebels brought in LSU’s Da’Shawn Womack and Nebraska’s Princewill Umanmielen to aid in the rebuild.
The Rebels’ schedule has no Texas, Texas A&M, Tennessee, Auburn, Missouri, or Alabama. So, a run to Atlanta is not out of the picture. The big unknown is if Ole Miss can replace eight defensive starters from the 2024 team.
Mississippi State
Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby has more talent this season than he had in his first season in Starkville.
The offensive line is a big question mark, and the Bulldogs’ success in 2025 will depend on returners Luke Work, Albert Reese IV, and Jacoby Jackson plus the addition of three transfers.
If quarterback Blake Shapen stays healthy and upright, the offense will be better. Floridia State transfer quarterback Luke Kromenhoek and Macon’s Kamario Taylor provide depth. The talented Davon Booth returns at running back while Seydou Traore returns at tight end. The Bulldogs return Jordan Mosley at receiver but bring in six new receivers.
The defensive line lacked a pass rush last season, so Lebby brought in end Red Hibbler to go with defensive tackles Will Whitson and Crystal Springs’ Trevion Williams. The versatile Brylan Lanier also returns. Branden Jennings, Nic Mitchell, and transfer Jalen Smith will take care of the linebacker duties while Kelly Jones, Hunter Washington, and Fulton’s Isaac Smith will join transfer Dwight Lewis in the secondary.
The SEC schedule is daunting both at home and on the road. If the offensive and defensive line play improves, the Bulldogs should have more wins in 2025.
