STARKVILLE — Mississippi State true freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor was getting ready for his day when his phone rang with a call from his head coach. He shared the news that his freshman season wasn’t quite done yet.
“I was in my bed, getting ready to come up to the facility,” Taylor recounted. “(Jeff Lebby) called me and was like, ‘Make sure everyone stays in Starkville, because we have an opportunity ahead of us. We can’t say it’s set in stone yet, but it’s on the way.”
Taylor shared the news with teammate and friend Fluff Bothwell, the Bulldogs’ leading rusher as a transfer sophomore.
“He was like, ‘Twin, we need this game,’” Taylor said of Bothwell. “‘We need to show everybody what we can do.’”
The pair have become close friends since their first week on campus together in January, and both earned starting roles by the end of the 2025 campaign. They were immediate contributors, but they’ve also taken up the torch for the 2026 Bulldogs. They recognized the bowl as an opportunity to not only give their season the sendoff they feel it deserves, but to preview to potential transfers and recruits what’s cooking in Starkville. Head coach Jeff Lebby agrees.
“A no-brainer for our program to have these practices, to be able to be together, to be able to lift the way we’re gonna be able to lift the next month, and man, keeping these guys around us to take advantage of this great opportunity that we’re gonna have on Jan. 2,” Lebby said. “Our guys in the building are incredibly excited about it. Surprised that we get to go do this, but I’m going to take advantage of it. I think it is huge for our program and development.”
The game is also an opportunity for the players who have stuck out the two difficult years at the start of Lebby’s tenure. Linebacker Nic Mitchell, who was still in Starkville finishing up his final exams before graduation, is excited to play one final game in maroon and white.
“At first there was a lot of initial shock, because a lot of guys were out of town,” Mitchell said. “Once we got the guys back, it was a lot of excitement.”
Mitchell was one of several seniors who were hoping to secure a bowl game as an extra opportunity to say goodbye to the fans after a long career with the Bulldogs. A recruit from the Mike Leach and Zach Arnett years, Mitchell stuck out the changes in leadership to emerge as a leader on the defense.
The linebacker unit is well stocked with young talent behind Mitchell, and on top of going out on a happy note, he’s excited for the next group of guys following in his steps.
“Those guys are extremely athletic,” Mitchell said of the next crop of linebackers. “Tyler Lockhart, that guy can run. He gets sideline to sideline. Jalen, Derrion, all them guys, they’re extremely athletic. I’m excited for them, they’re going to be a great group next year.”
Jahron Manning, Mitchell’s fellow senior on defense, was hoping for a bowl game for similar reasons.“I was relaxing, getting back healthy, and Coach Harvey sent us a text in the group chat saying we were getting selected for a bowl game. I got back as soon as I could, got back ready to work.”
Manning was in Philadelphia with his girlfriend, but had a flight back planned already for Tuesday. The transfer safety is waiting to hear about a waiver for an extra year of eligibility, but regardless of his status for 2026 he was hoping to go on another ride with the 2025 crew.
“I’m extremely excited to get one more chance with our seniors, one more chance with my brothers to go out the right way,” Manning said.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
