Mississippi State Football Depth Chart vs. No. 7 Tennessee

Bulldogs updated depth chart shows no major changes as they begin the final stretch of Jeff Lebby's first season in Starkville.
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby watches a play during the first quarter against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field.
Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby watches a play during the first quarter against the Massachusetts Minutemen at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State football didn't have many changes to its depth chart for this week's game at No. 7 Tennessee.

That's not very surprising, but a look at both team's depth charts reveals a potetional problem for Mississippi State, one that it is familiar with.

The Bulldogs' defensive line is significantly smaller than the starting offensive line for Tennessee. The smallest Volunteer lineman weighs 310 lbs. Mississippi State has just two defensive line who tip the scales past 300 lbs. and they are Sulaiman Kpaka (300 lbs.) and Kai McClendon (305 lbs.).

That size discrepancy has already caused problems for the Bulldogs this season and, most likely, that trend is going to continue this Saturday night.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Quarterbacks

Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen.
Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. (0) runs the ball against the Massachusetts Minutemen during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

QB1 – 0 Michael Van Buren Jr., 6-1, 200 lbs., Fr.
QB2 – 16 Chris Parson, 6-1, 215 lbs., Rs Fr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Running Backs

Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against Massachusetts Minutemen linebacker.
Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) runs the ball against Massachusetts Minutemen linebacker Christian LeBrun (17) during the first quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

RB1 – 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
-or- 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr.
RB2 – 22 Xavier Gayten, 6-0, 190 lbs., Fr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Wide Receivers

Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs for a touchdown while defended by Arkansas Razorbacks.
Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs for a touchdown while defended by Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (3) during the third quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

SLWR1 – 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr. 
SLWR2 – 11 Jaden Walley, 6-0, 190 lbs., Sr.
SLWR 3 – 80 Kade Kolka, 5-11, 190 lbs., Sr.

WR1 – 6 Jordan Mosley, 6-0, 195 lbs., Jr. 
WR2 – 5 Braylon Burnside, 6-0, 200 lbs., Fr.  

WR1 – 7 Mario Craver 5-10, 170 lbs., Fr. 
-or- 1 Kelly Akharaiyi 6-1, 200 lbs., Sr. 
WR2 – 9 Ricky Johnson 6-2, 185 lbs., Fr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Tight Ends

Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Seydou Traore (18) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.
Mississippi State Bulldogs tight end Seydou Traore (18) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

TE1 – 18 Seydou Traore, 6-4, 235 lbs., R-Jr.
- or-  84 Justin Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., Sr. 
TE2 – 86 Nick Lauderdale, 6-3, 225 lbs., Sr.
- or - 10 Cameron Ball, 6-6, 250 lbs., So.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Offensive Line

LT1 – 66 Makylan Pounders, 6-5, 310 lbs., Jr. 
LT2 – 51 Luke Work, 6-6, 305 lbs., Fr.

LG1 – 75 Jacoby Jackson, 6-6, 320 lbs., Jr. 
LG2 – 53 Malik Ellis, 6-5, 285 lbs., So.

C1 – 67 Ethan Miner, 6-2, 305 lbs., Sr.
C2 – 72 Canon Boone, 6-4, 315 lbs., Jr.

RG1 – 77 Marlon Martinez, 6-5, 320 lbs., Sr. 
RG2 – 52 Grant Jackson, 6-6, 325 lbs., Sr.

RT1 – 76 Albert Reese IV, 6-7, 330 lbs., Jr. 
RT2 – 74 Jimothy Lewis Jr., 6-6, 310 lbs., Fr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Defensive Line

Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end De'Monte Russell (9) reacts after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies.
Mississippi State Bulldogs defensive end De'Monte Russell (9) reacts after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

DT1 – 23 Trevion Williams, 6-4, 295 lbs., R-Fr. 
DT2 – 98 Ashun Shepphard, 6-3, 280 lbs., Jr.

DT1 – 8 Sulaiman Kpaka, 6-3, 300 lbs., Sr. 
- or - 90 Kai McClendon, 6-2, 305 lbs., Fr.

DE1 – 9 De’Monte Russell, 6-4, 285 lbs., Sr. 
DE2 – 91 Deonte Anderson, 6-3, 270 lbs., Jr.
- or - 46 Joseph Head Jr., 6-4, 240 lbs., R-Fr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Linebackers

Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Stone Blanton (7) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium.
Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Stone Blanton (7) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

JLB1 – 11 Ty Cooper, 6-4, 245 lbs., Jr.
- or - 44 Branden Jennings, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. 

MLB1 – 7 Stone Blanton, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr. 
MLB2 – 26 JP Purvis, 6-1, 245 lbs., Sr.

DLB1 – 40 Nic Mitchell, 6-2, 230 lbs., Jr.
- or - 5 John Lewis, 6-3, 240 lbs., Jr. 
DLB2 – 16 Zakari Tillman, 6-2, 225 lbs., So.

STAR1 – 2 Isaac Smith, 6-0, 205 lbs., So. 
STAR2 – 28 Tanner Johnson 6-0 185 So.
- or - 15 Kobi Albert 5-11 180 R-So.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Safeties

Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (6) runs the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Isaiah Sategna (6) runs the ball while defended by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Corey Ellington (10) during the fourth quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. / Matt Bush-Imagn Images

FS1 – 10 Corey Ellington, 6-3, 200 lbs., Sr. 
FS2 – 12 Tyler Woodard, 6-2, 200 lbs., Jr.

SS1 – 21 Hunter Washington, 5-11, 190 lbs., Jr. 
SS2 – 27 Chris Keys Jr., 6-0, 190 lbs., Jr.
- or - 17 Jordan Morant, 6-0, 210 lbs., Sr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Cornerbacks

Texas Longhorns receiver Matthew Golden (2) is grabbed by the facemask by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Brylan Lanier.
Texas Longhorns receiver Matthew Golden (2) is grabbed by the facemask by Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Brylan Lanier (3) during a game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. / Aaron E. Martinez/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

CB1– 3 Brylan Lanier 6-1 190 Jr.
CB2 – 1 Kelley Jones, 6-4, 195 lbs., R-Fr.
- or - 6 Traveon Wright, 6-0, 180 lbs., R-Fr. 
CB3 – 13 Raydarious Jones, 6-2, 180 lbs., Sr.
- or - 18 Khamauri Rogers, 6-0, 180 lbs., So.

CB1 – 14 Brice Pollock, 6-1, 190 lbs., So. 
CB2 – 4 DeAgo Brumfield, 6-0, 190 lbs., Sr.

Mississippi State Depth Chart – Special Teams

K1 - 80 Kyle Ferrie, 6-1, 205 lbs., So. 
K2 - 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr. 
K3 - 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.

P1 - 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr. 
P2 - 83 Zach Haynes, 6-1, 195 lbs., Sr. 
P3 - 88 Ethan Pulliam, 6-1, 190 lbs., R-Fr.

KO1 - 49 Marlon Hauck, 6-3, 195 lbs., So.  
KO2 - 82 Nick Barr-Mira, 6-0, 185 lbs., Sr.

PR1 - 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr. 

KR1 - 21 Davon Booth, 5-10, 205 lbs., Sr.
- or - 20 Johnnie Daniels, 5-10, 200 lbs., Jr. 
- or - 3 Kevin Coleman, 5-11, 180 lbs., Jr.

Read More Mississippi State Bulldogs On SI:

Mississippi State Football's Final Stand: Can the Bulldogs Secure One More Win?

How to Watch: Mississippi State at No. 7 Tennessee

SEC Football Week 10 Review: Mississippi State Finally Ends Losing Streak

What Went Right? Mississippi States Tops UMass


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Taylor Hodges
TAYLOR HODGES

Award-winning sports editor, writer, columnist, and photographer with 15 years’ experience offering his opinion and insight about the sports world in Mississippi and Texas. Taylor has covered all levels of sports, from small high schools in the Mississippi Delta to NFL games. Follow Taylor on Twitter and Facebook.