Editor’s Note: It’s never too early for football. In anticipation for Mississippi State’s 2026-27 season, The Dispatch will spend this week and next breaking down MSU’s position groups. Today’s position: the cornerbacks.
There’s a lot of new on Mississippi State football’s defense.
After ranking second-to-last in SEC scoring defense last season, allowing 30.23 points per game, MSU brought in a new but familiar face to take over the defense in Zach Arnett. The Bulldogs are projected to start five transfers on defense according to Ourlads.com.
MSU heads into next season with hopes of a much better performance from its defense. Here’s a look at its projected cornerback depth chart according to Ourlads.com.
The starters
Left cornerback – Kelley Jones, redshirt junior
In a new-look defense, one thing has remained consistent: Kelley Jones.
The 6-feet-4-inch Clarksdale, Mississippi, native started all 13 games for the Bulldogs last season, totaling 34 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. He earned first-team All-SEC honors from Pro Football and Sports Network, third-team All-SEC by the conference’s coaches and fourth-team All-SEC by Phil Steele.
He was tied for fifth in the SEC in passes defended per game last season, averaging one a contest. He played in 11 games with four starts during his redshirt reshman season in 2024.
Right cornerback – Quentin Taylor, redshirt sophomore
Quentin Taylor is one of five projected transfer starters on MSU’s defense.
He started six games at cornerback last season at Iowa State, playing in 12. He tallied 27 tackles and five pass breakups for the Cyclones as a redshirt freshman.
He was a 3-star recruit in the transfer portal. Originally from Apopka, Florida, Taylor measures at 6’ 0, 205 pounds.
Nickel cornerback – Issac Smith, senior
Issac Smith, a hybrid defender who’s listed as a safety but has played in a lot of different spots in the secondary, is one of the most tenured players on MSU’s defense.
He’s played in double-digit games in each of his three seasons at State. He led the SEC in tackles in 2024, and was a Second-Team All-SEC player as a safety from PSFN.
Smith was the highest-rated recruit in MSU’s 2023 recruiting class, a class that also included Jones. He was a 4-star from Fulton, Mississippi.
The backups
Left cornerback – Kaylib Singleton, redshirt freshman
Kaylib Singleton joined MSU by way of Syracuse last season.
He tallied 16 tackles across eight games, including six against eventual national runner-up Miami.
He was rated a 3-star transfer, and a 3-star coming out of high school in Jacksonville, Florida.
Right cornerback – Jett Jefferson, redshirt junior
Jett Jefferson played in four games as a Bulldog last season after spending his first two years at East Mississippi Community College.
He was ranked the No. 5 JUCO cornerback in his transfer class. He had 40 tackles, four interceptions and four pass breakups in 2024.
Jefferson is originally from Tylertown, Mississippi, and measures at 6’ 1, 190 pounds.
Nickel cornerback – Kendel Dolby, graduate
Kendel Dolby will play his final snaps of college ball at Mississippi State.
He transferred to Oklahoma after being rated the No. 1 JUCO cornerback in the class of 2023, and played three seasons with the Sooners. He played in 13 games his first season at Oklahoma, earning All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in 2023.
His playing time was limited in 2024 and 2025, seeing the field in just seven games across those two seasons. Injuries limited his 2024 year after starting the first three games of the season.
Also on the roster
Kyle Johnson, redshirt freshman – Listed as the third-string left cornerback on Ourlads. Played in two games, including the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, last season.
Jamroc Grimsley, redshirt sophomore – Originally signed with Alabama, but played his first two seasons with the Florida Gators. Played 27 snaps last year with Florida. A 3-star prospect in the portal from Tampa, Florida.
Jaylen Antoine, redshirt freshman – Did not see any action as a true freshman last season. Listed at 5’ 11, 180 pounds.
The freshmen
Dre Otey – 6’ 2, 160 pounds from Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Terrell Johnson Jr. – 6’ 2, 180 pounds from Lexington, Mississippi.
Camron Brown – 6’ 1, 180 pounds from Valdosta, Florida.
Jake is the Mississippi State athletics reporter for The Dispatch.
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