Stonka Burnside Enters Transfer Portal, Seeking New Opportunity After Two Seasons at Mississippi State
Mississippi State is saying goodbye to one of its most intriguing young talents, as Starkville native Stonka Burnside has officially entered the transfer portal. The former four-star recruit and Under Armour All-American will leave the Bulldogs with three years of eligibility remaining - and a lot of untapped potential.
Burnside’s story is one that Bulldog fans had hoped would play out differently. A local standout at Starkville High, he was one of the most electric high school playmakers in Mississippi’s 2024 class.
Back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons and 28 total touchdowns in his final two years had recruiters across the region paying close attention. At 6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Burnside wasn’t just a wide receiver - he was a true “Athlete,” equally capable of making plays at safety.
That versatility made him a top-10 prospect in the state and a major get for Mississippi State when he committed in the summer of 2023.
His initial commitment came during a strong recruiting push under then-head coach Zach Arnett. But after a disappointing 2023 season, Burnside decommitted in November.
Still, the Bulldogs didn’t give up. New head coach Jeff Lebby and wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis made Burnside a priority, and their persistence paid off when he signed with the program.
Expectations were high for Burnside heading into his freshman year. Mississippi State looked for creative ways to get him involved, even experimenting with him at running back during fall camp.
But when the season began, his role on offense was minimal. He ended the year with just one catch - a six-yard loss - and a handful of targets.
It wasn’t the breakout campaign many envisioned.
Where Burnside did flash, however, was on special teams. He recorded four tackles, and more than one of them turned heads. His physicality and instincts in the open field sparked conversations about whether his future might actually lie on the defensive side of the ball.
That theory gained traction in the offseason, when Burnside officially transitioned to safety. The move made sense - he’d been a standout defensive player in high school - but with a veteran-heavy depth chart in the secondary, immediate playing time was hard to come by. Burnside saw action in four games, logging one tackle and a six-yard rush on a gadget play, before taking a redshirt year.
Now, with two seasons under his belt and limited snaps to show for it, Burnside is opting for a fresh start. It’s not hard to see why programs across the country will be interested.
He’s still the same dynamic, two-way athlete who dominated high school football in Mississippi. And with three years of eligibility left, there’s plenty of time for him to find the right fit - and finally showcase the talent that once made him one of the most coveted recruits in the state.
For Mississippi State, it’s a tough loss - not just because of Burnside’s potential, but because of what he represented: a hometown star who chose to stay home. But for Burnside, the next chapter is about opportunity. And wherever he lands, he’ll bring with him the skill set and drive that once had Bulldog fans dreaming big.