Dawgs Take Another Step Forward With Just Two Weeks Til Kickoff
August 22, 2026 | Football
STARKVILLE – Just two weeks remain before Davis Wade Stadium is packed, the cowbells are clanging and Mississippi State’s 2026 season officially begins.
“We wanted it to be game-like today – our sideline operation, our sideline communication, and how we do what we do between drives and have the ability to get our iPads out and go through the script,” MSU head coach Jeff Lebby said. “With the mock game next week, we’ll have the opportunity to do it again before we go do it for real. Had a good amount of live work today and went into thud, but the best thing is being off the grass and everybody healthy.”
For sure, health is of utmost importance. Bumps and bruises are to be expected, but State has remained fortunate from an injury standpoint all throughout camp.
“The intensity has been able to sustain a little more because we're deeper,” Lebby explained. “The roster is better, so there is more competition. You have seen the energy, physicality and speed sustain.”
Depth is everywhere now for the Dawgs. It’s at receiver, where behind standout Anthony Evans III, there are many who keep showing promise.
“What Zion Ragins has done through camp [has been good],” Lebby said. “[Sanfrisco Magee] continues to get better and will be better. [Marquis Johnson and Gracen Harris], both are good. [Ayden Williams] has been a little banged up, but those six guys can play clean, good football. That's exciting with a couple of other guys who have a chance to flash. There are nine guys who can play on teams and do what we need to do offensively.”
The offensive line’s depth is improving too, with room for others still to step up.
“We feel good about seven guys,” Lebby said. “We're getting closer. That will be a huge discussion for us as a staff as we evaluate this scrimmage. As we truly establish the two-deep, there has been good competition. Today's tape and how guys grade out and their physicality will decide where we go Monday.”
The defense’s depth is also shining through, not to mention the group’s football smarts.
“I have seen retention from the spring,” Lebby said of his defense. “Guys are in a better spot from the scheme part of it. We have been able to install at a high level and create stress. I feel good about the top 24-26 guys defensively and how we're playing.”
Come Monday, the Dawgs will get back to work as the countdown to kickoff rolls on.
“We need guys to continue to trust the process and get better every day,” Lebby said. “The intent in the building has to be elite. There has to be urgency. Our guys are built that way right now. It is day to day – [be] better Monday than we were today. It's what we do the next 48 hours. Our guys are bought into that.”
