By Elijah Klepczyk
Emmerich Newspapers
STARKVILLE - Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby met with the media after Tuesday’s practice, addressing several topics including the NCAA’s new eligibility rules and how they impact the Bulldogs, along with insight on players who arrived through the team’s 27‑man transfer portal class.
“We had a good day,” Lebby said of the second day of full-contact practice. He mentioned that the day prior the energy was down, but today the team rose to the challenge and had a much more productive practice.
Lebby was also asked about the current eligibility status of safety Jahron Manning and edge rusher Malick Sylla.
The NCAA adopted a new policy over the summer granting student‑athletes a continuous five‑year window to play up to five seasons. In addition, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that athletes who began college in the 2022–23 academic year and exhausted their traditional four seasons of eligibility would be allowed to compete for an additional year—making players like Manning and Sylla eligible this season.
“There are a lot of boxes that need to get checked,” Lebby said regarding their eligibility status. Both players are in the facility but have not yet been cleared to practice or be added to the roster, according to Lebby. “They have to go through a process … we will see how it all plays out,” he added.
Lebby pointed to the defense—especially the secondary—as one of the most improved areas this offseason. “I do love the length and the speed we have back there,” he said. Mississippi State loaded up in the portal, adding seven defensive backs out of 27 total transfers. “It is an upgrade from where we have been,” Lebby added.
The added talent and depth at secondary has also helped the wide receiver corps get better throughout practice according to Lebby. “Iron sharpens iron .. when you go against really good players everyday, you get better,” he added.
Lebby pointed to the offensive line as a unit he wants to see continue growing. “We are not quite there yet,” he said, while also acknowledging that the room has shown steady improvement throughout fall camp.
Freshman offensive tackle Dalton Toothman is one player Lebby highlighted as elevating the offensive line. “We are excited about where he is at … he is not a freshman in my mind,” Lebby said. He added that Toothman has the potential to be an “elite” player for the Bulldogs and needs to embrace a larger leadership role despite his age.
Mississippi State will start its season in under a month with a non-conference home opener against Louisiana-Monroe on Sep. 5.
