With the 2026 college football Transfer Portal window officially closed, the dust has settled in Starkville - and Mississippi State’s roster has undergone a serious shake-up. A total of 39 Bulldogs entered the portal following the 2025 season, signaling a significant roster turnover as the program transitions into its next chapter. Of those 39, 14 have landed at Power Conference schools, while only six remain without a new home.
Let’s break down who’s on the move, where they’re headed, and what it all means for the Bulldogs going forward.
Quarterback
Luke Kromenhoek → USF
Kromenhoek was a depth piece for Mississippi State in 2025, stepping in when needed but ultimately overshadowed by the emergence of Kamario Taylor. In limited action - three games - he completed 5 of 9 passes for 73 yards and added 25 yards and a touchdown on the ground. The writing was on the wall once Taylor took the reins, and Kromenhoek now gets a fresh start at USF.
Running Backs
Seth Davis → Tulsa
Johnnie Daniels → Tulane
Davis looked like a future contributor as a freshman back in 2023, but injuries derailed his development. After missing all of 2024, he returned in 2025 and found the end zone against Alcorn State, but never quite regained his footing.
Daniels, meanwhile, was a productive back in 2024 - rushing for 540 yards and four touchdowns - but redshirted in 2025 after getting lost in a crowded backfield. Both backs will look to reboot their careers in the American Athletic Conference.
Wide Receivers
Jordan Mosley → Colorado State
Ricky Johnson → Utah
Jaron Glover → USF
Markus Allen → MTSU
Cam Thompson → Northern Illinois
Davian Jackson → Texas State
Ferzell Shepard → Uncommitted
This group represents a wide receiver room in flux. Mosley was a starter in 2024 and produced solid numbers - 23 catches, 405 yards, and three touchdowns - but saw his role diminish significantly in 2025.
Johnson came into the year with plenty of buzz but barely saw the field. Altogether, this group combined for just 12 receptions, 192 yards, and a single touchdown this past season.
Several will get a chance at more consistent playing time elsewhere.
Tight Ends
Cam Ball → West Virginia
Max Reese → North Texas
Emeka Iloh → Uncommitted
Ball and Reese were regulars in the rotation but didn’t make much of a statistical impact. Iloh, a JUCO transfer, never saw game action. All three move on from a position group that struggled to leave its mark in 2025.
Offensive Line
Jayvin James (T) → Alabama
Zach Owens (G) → Missouri
Jimothy Lewis (T) → Cal
Luke Work (G/T) → Missouri
Koby Keenum (G/C) → Memphis
Brennan Smith (C) → Uncommitted
Jaekwon Bouldin (T) → Jackson State
Alex Lopez (T) → WKU
This is where the exodus really stings. James, Owens, Lewis, and Work were all integral parts of the offensive line rotation, logging meaningful snaps throughout the season.
While their play was inconsistent - and at times underwhelming - the experience they brought to the table was valuable. That experience was enough to land each of them at Power 4 programs, a testament to the premium placed on seasoned linemen in today’s game.
Defensive Line
Kedrick Bingley-Jones (DT) → Alabama
Kai McClendon (DT) → Washington
Ashun Shepphard (DT) → Cal
Joseph Head (EDGE) → Memphis
Corey Clark (DT) → FAU
Terrance Hibbler (DT) → Jackson State
Bingley-Jones started all 17 games he played in maroon and white, tallying 40 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. He may not have been the most disruptive interior lineman on the roster, but his experience and durability clearly held weight - enough to get him to Tuscaloosa. McClendon flashed as a freshman in 2024 before missing 2025 due to injury, and now he’ll look to bounce back out west with the Huskies.
Linebacker
Montrell Champman → Old Dominion
Champman, a JUCO transfer, redshirted after appearing in five games and recording a single tackle. He’ll aim to carve out a bigger role at Old Dominion.
Cornerbacks
Jayven Williams → BYU
Dwight Lewis III → Uncommitted
Elijah Cannon → Kansas
DK McGruder → Uncommitted
Williams and Lewis III were in the cornerback rotation this past season, combining for 28 tackles and one interception. Cannon made a splash with a pick-six in his college debut back in 2024 but didn’t see much action after that. Each is looking for a fresh opportunity in a secondary elsewhere.
Safeties
Stonka Burnside → Memphis
Tony Mitchell → Ole Miss
Tyler Woodard → Coastal Carolina
Cyrus Reyes → Kentucky
Lo'Kavion Jackson → Uncommitted
Burnside, a Starkville native, began his college career at wide receiver before switching to safety in 2025. He redshirted this past season but will return to offense at Memphis.
Mitchell served as a reliable backup to Isaac Smith and now heads to Oxford for a chance at a bigger role. Reyes and Woodard also bring experience to their new homes in the SEC and Sun Belt, respectively.
Special Teams
Nathan Tiyce (P) → Penn State
Marlon Hauck (K) → Tulsa
Tiyce shared punting duties with Ethan Pulliam, averaging 39 yards on 12 punts. Hauck handled kickoff duties and went 2-for-2 on extra points in limited action. Both specialists will look to take on larger roles in their new programs.
What It All Means
Mississippi State’s roster turnover is significant, but not unusual in today’s college football landscape, where the portal has become a central part of roster management. While some of these departures were expected - players looking for more playing time, returning from injury, or simply seeking a change of scenery - others represent real losses in experience and depth.
That said, the portal door swings both ways. As much as State has lost, there’s room to rebuild - and fast. The coaching staff will need to lean heavily on recruiting, development, and smart portal additions of their own to fill the gaps left behind.
For now, the Bulldogs have clarity on who’s gone. The next step? Figuring out who’s ready to step up.