Mike Farrell Sports

College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Mississippi State Football: 3 Impactful Transfers for the Bulldogs

Head Coach Jeff Lebby looks to recreate the Bulldogs in his own image.

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By Tony Thomas

The Mississippi State Bulldogs are coming off a 5-7 season that resulted in Jeff Lebby being hired away from Oklahoma as the newly anointed savior in Starkville. 

The Bulldogs have lost a lot of experience and talent through attrition (transfers, graduation, declared for NFL Draft), resulting in Mississippi State being ranked last among SEC schools (and #122 nationally) for returning production.

However, the Bulldogs do return a few starters and key contributors on both sides of the ball, including DL Donterry Russell, a 2023 All-SEC Freshman, and at running back and wide receiver. Lebby also went in to the transfer portal and found talent to fill positions of need and provide depth, including three transfers that will make an impact on the 2024 season.

WR Kelly Akharaiyi

Previous School: UTEP Miners

6’1”, 200 lbs.

A 1st Team All-Conference USA selection a season ago, Kelly Akharaiyi caught 48 balls for 1,033 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 21 yards per catch (ranked #4 in the FBS). 

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Akharaiyi was one of only two receivers to gain over 1,000 yards in the conference and recorded six games over 100 yards receiving, including four-straight to finish the season. And, his season-high was 223 yards (on eight catches) and two touchdowns in a 27-14 win over FIU.

QB Blake Shapen

Previous School: Baylor Bears

6’0”, 192 lbs.

In 2023, Blake Shapen passed for 2,188 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three INTs in eight games. In addition, Shapen added four rushing touchdowns. Shapen recorded three games of over 300 yards passing, including a season-high 324 yards in a loss to Texas Tech. And, Shapen threw four touchdown passes in a loss to Kansas State.

In 2021, in only his third collegiate start, Shapen completed 82% of his passes and threw three TD passes in helping lead the Bears to the Big XII title in a 21-16 win over Oklahoma State. For his efforts, Shapen was named the game’s Most Outstanding Performer. In three seasons, Shapen has thrown for 5,574 yards, 36 TDs, and 13 INTs.

Shapen comes to a Bulldog quarterback room that includes Mike Wright, a former transfer from Vanderbilt who has 38 games of SEC experience to his credit; Chris Parson, named to the 2023 SEC All-Freshman Team; and Michael Van Buren, a 4-star signal-caller and ESPN 300 recruit.

LB Stone Blanton

Previous School: South Carolina Gamecocks

6’2”, 230 lbs.

Coming home to Mississippi, Stone Blanton brings a strong work ethic and a superior knowledge about the game of football. In 2023, Blanton recorded 52 tackles, one sack and a forced fumble. In addition, Blanton intercepted a pass and returned it 88 yards for a score.

Blanton can play multiple roles at the linebacker position and is very active around the football. In week one vs North Carolina, Blanton racked up 10 tackles, and produced four games with six or more tackles. Against the Georgia Bulldogs, Blanton made four tackles, one tackle for loss, and one sack.

If there is one thing Lebby knows, it is how to get the best out of his quarterbacks and his offenses. At UCF in 2019, Lebby’s offense ranked #2 in total offense. At Ole Miss in 2020-2021, Lebby coached the Rebels offense to a Top 10 ranking. And, with the Sooners last season, Lebby led the Oklahoma offense to a #13 ranking.

Make no mistake, Coach Lebby will have Mississippi State in rebuilding mode, a construction project that will not happen overnight. With that said, this season the Bulldogs will have the talent and the coaching to improve on their losing record of a season ago and possibly get to a bowl game.

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