STARKVILLE — Mississippi State is losing another key cog in its defense.
Senior defensive end Marquiss Spencer announced his intentions Wednesday night that he will forgo his extra year of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL draft. Spencer is the second MSU defender to forgo their extra year of eligibility after senior linebacker Erroll Thompson did so on Tuesday.
“Many thanks to my mother and father, my entire family and support system for their loyalty and love,” he wrote in a statement on Twitter. “Much gratitude to the Bulldog family of Mississippi State University. My coaches both present and former, my teammates/brothers, because of all of you, I am a much better me!”
Spencer, who lost his junior year due to a season-ending injury, enjoyed massive outputs in 2019 and 2020 and briefly flirted with entering the draft a year ago. As a senior, the Greenwood native recorded 30 tackles, three sacks and an interception in nine games. Spencer also earned SEC Academic Fall Honor Roll honors in both 2017 and 2019.
With Spencer now departing, eyes turn to Starkville native and defensive end running mate Kobe Jones. Jones, a former Starkville High School Standout, is also eligible to return despite being a senior due to the NCAA’s free pass on eligibility amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking with the media following MSU’s Armed Forces Bowl win over No. 24 Tulsa last week, he said that he had not made a decision.
Should Jones depart, MSU would be left razor thin experience-wise at defensive end. Junior Aaron Odom and freshman Jack Harris would be among the most tested, though they’ve seen action in 26 games combined, albeit in limited spurts. The Bulldogs also boast freshman defensive end Jevon Banks and signed three-star pass rushers Deonte Anderson and Tre’von Marshall in its 2021 class.
MSU concluded the 2020 season 4-7, including the victory over the Golden Hurricane in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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