Mississippi State linebacker Stone Blanton, after spending one season with the Bulldogs following two years at South Carolina, has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced Wednesday via social media.
Blanton finished second in the Southeastern Conference with 125 tackles, trailing only teammate Isaac Smith. He recorded a season-high 18 tackles against Missouri, then had 14 in the season finale at Ole Miss. Blanton also had two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, 3.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups and one quarterback hurry.
A product of Jackson who attended Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Blanton was once committed to MSU for baseball. At South Carolina, he appeared in 12 games as a true freshman in 2022 before becoming a starter the next year, then transferring back to his home state to play for his childhood favorite team.
Blanton has one year of college eligibility remaining but has opted to take his chances at the next level. The Bulldogs’ linebacker room is hardly bare, with Branden Jennings, Zakari Tillman and Tennessee transfer Jalen Smith, but MSU was undoubtedly counting on Blanton to remain a steady presence in the middle of its defense in 2025.
“This journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, lessons and blessings,” Blanton wrote in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). “First and foremost, I want to thank Mississippi State University and the University of South Carolina for their unwavering support, guidance and the incredible opportunities they provided me on and off the field. To my coaches, teammates and the fans, your belief in me has fueled my passion and determination.”
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