2024 Mississippi State Position Preview: Wide Receivers

First year head coach Jeff Lebby's offense is famed for its space and pace style, and these Bulldog wide outs will be huge pieces of the machine this season.

Nov 18, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver Kevin Coleman (3) runs with the football for a touchdown ahead of Miami Hurricanes safety Kamren Kinchens (5) during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

As one of the most highly trafficked position groups in Jeff Lebby's first year as Mississippi State Football's head coach, the Bulldog wide receiver room is packed to the gills.

Complete with a mix of veteran transfers and highly rated high school recruits, this position group is one that will be under the microscope all season long as Mississippi State fans adapt to Lebby's style of play.

This projected depth chart should provide a glimpse into what (and who) fans can expect to see hauling in passes on Saturdays this fall.

1. Kelly Akharaiyi

UTEP wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi (4) celebrates his touchdown against Middle Tennessee with UTEP wide receiver Javoni Gardere (12) and UTEP running back Ezell Jolly (22) during the game in Johnny Red Floyd Stadium at MTSU in Murfreesboro, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov 18, 2023. / HELEN COMER/The Daily News Journal / USA

Akharaiyi is poised to be WR1 this season for Mississippi State as a quintessential speed threat that plays with enough physicality to play on the outside or in the slot, and has the speed to compete in the SEC. The former UTEP wideout comes to Starkville fresh off the first 1,000 yard season of his college career.

2. Kevin Coleman

Dec 2, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Jack Plummer (13) hands the ball to wide receiver Kevin Coleman (3) during the first quarter against the Florida State Seminoles at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Another transfer that followed Lebby to Starkville, Coleman originally made headlines when he, as a four-star recruit, committed to Deion Sanders and Jackson State during Sanders' tenure as head coach of the Tigers. Coleman was the SWAC freshman of the year in 2022, and looks to return to the Magnolia state to make a big impact for the Bulldogs in his junior campaign.

3. Jaden Walley

Sep 2, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Jaden Walley (11) runs the ball against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Mississippi State football fans have watched Jaden Walley grow up before their very eyes, and as the homegrown Mississippi product enters his super-senior season, Bulldog fans have a lot to hope for. Walley has yet to be able to follow up his near-1000-yard freshman season, but with a new head coach at the helm and plenty of youth in the room, Walley can use his experience to his advantage if he can manage to stay healthy.

4. Trent Hudson

Dec 1, 2023; Lynchburg, VA, USA; New Mexico State Aggies wide receiver Trent Hudson (14) catches a touchdown pass against the Liberty Flames during the fourth quarter at Williams Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-USA TODAY Sports / Brian Bishop-USA TODAY Sports

Hudson churned out over 550 receiving yards last season en route to a 10 win season for New Mexico State and hauled in a grand total of 10 touchdowns on the year. at 6-foot-3, Hudson makes for an excellent red zone target with his length and athleticism. 2024 will serve as Hudson's first year at the P4 level after excelling in C-USA last season and the junior college ranks in his freshman campaign.

5. Creed Whittemore

Sep 2, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA;Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Creed Whittemore (85) runs the ball against the Southeastern Louisiana Lions on a play that would result in a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports / Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Whittemore enters 2024 with what many believe to be a bit of a chip on his shoulder after providing big production in limited action during his freshman campaign. With Tulu Griffin out of the lineup this season, Whittemore is primed to be a more permanent option in the slot under Lebby's guidance. The former quarterback showcased his athleticism in last year's season opener against Southeastern Louisiana with two touchdowns on the afternoon.

6. Braylon Burnside

Starkville's Braylon Burnside (5) maneuver's around Louisville's Jykevious Goss (2) in Starkville, Miss., Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. / Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA

Starkville High's own Braylon Burnside is one of the headliners of arguably the most talented wide receiver recruiting classes in Mississippi State history. The composite four star recruit comes to Mississippi State fresh off carrying his team to the 7A state championship game in 2023.

7. JJ Harrell

This gone be one helluva story🖤#HailState pic.twitter.com/xUSYc2IDFe

— 4 (@JJHarrell_4) April 23, 2024

Another headliner from the crop of freshman wideouts, JJ Harrell looks to gain big attention early on in his career in Maroon and White. The former North Panola standout enrolled as early as possible and has now been with the team since the spring window opened.

8. Mario Craver

Clay-Chalkville's Mario Craver (4) is tackled by Saraland's Camron Laffitte (10) during the AHSAA Class 6A football state championship game at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Friday December 8, 2023. / Mickey Welsh / USA TODAY NETWORK

Yet another freshman phenom that was a late cycle addition to Mississippi State's arsenal, Craver's speed has been raved about all throughout the Spring. Craver led his high school to a 6A Alabama state championship in 2023.

9. Antonio Harmon

Sep 10, 2022; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Antonio Harmon (81) against the Arizona Wildcats at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Harmon's sheer size got him moved into a tight end spot during former Mississippi State head coach Zac Arnett's tenure, but moved back to wide receiver this past Spring. A quintessential red zone threat, Harmon's physical build is enough to win the eye test, he just has to match that size with production this season.

10. Sanfrisco Magee

MVP 🥇

All he needs is ✋🏾

Sanfrisco Magee MVP of the Cam Newton Memorial Classic #c1n7v7 pic.twitter.com/LZtPWdn9TY

— MESH ACADEMY (@MeshAcademy) May 29, 2023

McComb's own Francisco Magee chose the Bulldogs over several other P4 offers, such as Ole Miss and Louisville. A former three sport athlete, Magee rattled off over 1,200 receiving yards during his final prep season before committing to Mississippi State .

With a plethora of young talent at his disposal, Lebby has the numbers to make a quality SEC receiver room. However, youth and inexperience do not often cope well in the SEC when implemented too swiftly.

Lebby and company will have to make sure his stable of young studs are prepared come the team's season opener against Eastern Kentucky on August 31.