Mississippi State is on the rise, and last season was a promising step forward. With five wins under their belt, the Bulldogs made it to a bowl game, signaling progress under coach Jeff Lebby.
While they didn’t snag a conference win in his first year, they managed to break that streak last season. Taking teams like Texas and Tennessee to overtime shows they're not far from turning close games into victories.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a pivotal year for the Bulldogs to continue their upward trajectory.
This on-field success is translating into recruiting wins. Just recently, Mississippi State secured a commitment from a talented receiver, Javarious Griffin, who decided to stay local. Griffin chose the Bulldogs over notable programs like Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, and Houston, a testament to the program's growing appeal.
The Bulldogs have their sights set on competing for an SEC Championship, though they acknowledge there’s still work to be done. According to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, Griffin is a 3-star recruit, ranked as the No. 17 prospect in Mississippi. He’s also the No. 74 receiver and No. 642 overall player in his class.
Griffin joins a strong recruiting class for Mississippi State, which currently holds the No. 25 spot for 2027, led by standout Caleb Unger. The future looks bright in Starkville as the Bulldogs build a foundation for sustained success.