This tracker will keep tabs on which Mississippi State football players have opted out of playing in the Duke's Mayo Bowl against Wake Forest.

The Bulldogs' season was brought back to life Sunday after other teams turned down bowl invitations, leaving a spot open for them.

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football signed its prospects to the 2026 recruiting class on Dec. 3. The Bulldogs signed 28 players on the first of three days of the early signing period.

Mississippi State football accepted an invitation to play in the Duke's Mayo Bowl on Jan. 2 despite having only five wins.

The No. 7 Rebels seek playoff positioning while Bulldogs fight for bowl eligibility in Thanksgiving weekend showdown at Davis Wade Stadium. Here's how to watch for free.

On Saturday, Mississippi State named Florida State senior defensive analyst Zach Arnett as its next defensive coordinator. Arnett returns to the Bulldogs following a previous stint as defensive coordinator (2020-22) and head coach (2023). He spent the 2024 season as an analyst at Ole Miss before his short stint with the Seminoles.

Mississippi State's 2026 football recruiting class is ranked No. 46 nationally as of December 1. This ranking would be the program's lowest since 2008 if it holds through the early signing period. Coach Jeff Lebby's class currently contains only one four-star prospect, tight end Zayion Cotton.

Missouri football lost a commitment from Micah Nickerson, a four-star defensive end, to Mississippi State on Wednesday, which is the early signing day for college football.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/high-school as Final Mississippi High School Football Top 25 State Rankings - Dec. 10, 2025. As the 2025 high school football season in Mississippi comes to its completion, it is time to take a look at the final high school football state rankings.

His latest hire is a veteran in the SEC coaching ranks, most recently serving as defensive coordinator for Mississippi State. Coleman Hutzler has been hired to coach BUCKS and EDGE rushers on the Tigers' defense. Golesh says Hutzler's track record in development and recruiting, as well as his SEC experience, will lead to a great fit on the Plains.