STARKVILLE – Mississippi State’s offense caused problems for plenty of teams last season with explosive playmaking and an ability to stretch teams out. Early in the year, a running back tandem of Davon Booth and Fluff Bothwell emerged to complement the skill and speed out wide with receivers Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans.
With Booth and Thompson graduating to the NFL Draft process, Bothwell and Evans are stepping into bigger roles. But there is plenty of talent around them to create future mismatch problems and talent on the offensive line that coaches and skill players believe can help open things up on the ground.
“The first week, we look 1,000 times better up front,” Bothwell said after the first day in pads. “We’re a lot more dominant, and all around we’re becoming a closer team. It’s been awesome.”
From Bothwell’s spot reading the gaps, he’s noticed some nice cohesion despite a new-look unit playing together for the first time. He’s happy for the extra room, as well as happy to see friend and teammate Kamario Taylor have some more time as well.
“A lot of movement up front,” he continued. “It’s been great as a running back, and that’s what you want. In protection, Kamario being comfortable back there, it’ll help the team a lot.”
The more time Taylor has to process, the more time he has to find his target in a talented group of playmakers out wide.
Evans had a career year with 831 receiving yards and four touchdowns, proving to be a success story along with Thompson in showcasing what head coach Jeff Lebby’s offense can do for overlooked receivers.
“I knew coming here was going to help me showcase my ability to stretch the field, make plays in space,” Evans said. “Lebby put me in a position to do that.”
Transfers Zion Ragins and Marquis Johnson are looking to make a similar impact and have stuck out to their teammates so far, as have rising freshmen Gracen Harris and Sanfrisco Magee.
“Everybody is going out there and balling,” Evans said. “(Practice with pads) will show a lot. I feel like Gracen and Quis are the top two runners, and Frisco as well. New guys coming in and making plays so far is great to see.”
“It’s been awesome, man,” Ragins said of the new group. “You can tell we’ve got a lot going on with the receivers. It’s going to be a lot this year.”
Ragins had limited production in two years at Oklahoma, but he’s ready to go wherever the offense needs him in Starkville. A former track star in high school and the self-annointed fastest receiver in the group, he offers plenty of speed to help replace what Thompson brought in that category.
“They want me to come in and ball out, earn trust,” he said. “They can feed me the ball wherever I need to be. Wherever (Taylor) needs me to go.”
Tight ends, too
The tight end room is another area where talent went out the door. Seydou Traore proved a reliable receiving threat in two years with Lebby’s system and was also one of the senior voices on the team in 2025. Sam West is one player looking to step into that role this year, challenging himself to grow as a player and a leader.
“The biggest difference for me this year, kind of having to step into more of a leadership role,” he said. “I’m naturally not a vocal guy, that’s something I’ve had to grow in, being more vocal. I think leading by example is not necessarily leadership, so I’ve had to learn that you do have to use your voice sometimes.”
With the increased level of competition across the board and guys hoping to make positions their own this spring, West sees a lot of growth potential.
“There’s a ton of competition across the board at all positions,” he said. “Tight end, O line, receiver. I think that’s what I’d say, competition, so it’s been really good for us this spring.”
West observed that the rest of the offensive groups have been in a similar position transitioning in terms of leadership, with Evans and the receivers and Taylor taking over under center.
“Kamario, obviously the main guy at the helm,” West said. “Ever since the bowl game, stepping into that role and continuing to step into that role this year. You see him using his voice more and more and being that leader.”
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 40 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 40 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
