Evans Eyeing Record-Breaking Year As Season Draws Near
August 29, 2026 | Football, Joel Coleman
STARKVILLE – Last season, Brenen Thompson raised the Bulldog bar when he set Mississippi State's single-season receiving yardage record.
If Anthony Evans III has it his way, his good friend's accolade will stand for just one year.
Only a few days remain before MSU kicks off its new campaign against ULM. The First Saturday in StarkVegas won't just be the start of State's 2026 journey. It'll be the beginning of Evans' quest to top Thompson. Evans' talent and determination combined with head coach Jeff Lebby's playcalling prowess certainly gives Evans every reason to think he can quickly rewrite at least that one section of the State record book.
Last year, Thompson became only the fourth Bulldog to ever notch a 1,000-yard season on the way to finishing with 1,054 receiving yards. Not too far behind him was Evans.
Evans ended 2025 third in the Southeastern Conference in receptions with 67, and 10th in the league in yardage with 831. It was a tremendous year by any measure – and it came, as Evans describes it, as being the Luigi to Thompson's Mario.
"Now I'm the guy, so I'm going to go chase what [Thompson] did," Evans said.
The pieces are absolutely in place for Evans to accomplish his goal. If he caught nearly 70 passes for more than 800 yards a season ago in his first year in Lebby's offense, logic tells you even greater things are now possible.
"That was just the start," Evans said of last year. "Me being able to learn the ins and outs of the offense…It's going to help me set up a record-setting season."
Evans isn't just talking the talk. He's been walking the walk to give himself the best chance to reach his goal. It's been obvious to those around him – especially the man that'll be throwing the football his way.
"I've seen him take a big leap," Bulldog quarterback Kamario Taylor said of Evans. "Ant has taken everything to the next level with his leadership, the way he's worked – his work is just crazy now. It was crazy [last year] too, but, like, now he's being more vocal. He's just stepping out of his shell. We're gonna expect him to win [the Fred Biletnikoff Award] this year."
Just last week, it was announced Evans was on the watch list for the Biletnikoff – an honor given annually to the country's most outstanding receiver. A sensational season like Evans is expecting would put the hardware within reach.
Don't get any of this twisted though. While Evans is hopeful to make MSU history and his teammates believe he can win individual awards, Evans is very much a team-first guy. His drive is lifting everyone around him.
"I just had a conversation with Gracen Harris," Evans said after a practice several days ago. "He's a guy I feel is going to be very successful this year and going forward. I know the offense like the back of my hand now, so being able to teach that to the younger guys and those behind me, it goes a long way."
It's said a rising tide lifts all boats. By imparting his own wisdom into his teammates, Evans is simultaneously making the Bulldogs as a whole better, all while bettering his own chances to hit that magic mark of 1,055 receiving yards.
Hopefully – for Evans, for the Dawgs and for everyone who supports the Maroon and White – Evans' mission gets accomplished. If he can do it, or even come close, there's a good chance he'll follow in Thompson's footsteps again by going from State to Sundays.
Evans' mindset to do it all is simple. There's no stress. He's just going to go about his business and be himself.
"I've just got to stay true to myself you know, and let whatever happens happen," Evans said. "This is all God's plan. I'm just going to follow the footsteps that he provides for me."
