Jeff Lebby encouraged by experience on Mississippi State's roster in 2024
New Mississippi State Bulldogs head football coach Jeff Lebby recently had an interview on ESPN’s College Football podcast. As host Rece Davis grilled the Bulldogs’ head man on a number of topics, including the program’s outlook, Lebby was able to share his thoughts on the players that he’s acquired via the transfer portal and how their experience will play a big role in his team’s success this season.
“The thing that I love is that there are guys that have played a whole bunch of football that are going to start for us this fall; it just wasn’t here at State,” said Lebby. “Whether it was spread through the Big 12 o wherrever it was, we have the guys that are going to play a lot of football that first Saturday, that have played a bunch of ball. It starts, to me, with Shapen.”
The individual Lebby is looking at to lead Mississippi State to the promised land in 2024 is former Baylor Bears quarterback Blake Shapen. Shapen got off to a hot start at Baylor under head coach Dave Aranda as a part of a two-headed quarterback system, along with Gerry Bohannon. The duo led Baylor to the 2022 Big 12 Title, knocking off Oklahoma State and earning a spot in the Sugar Bowl, where they faced off against Ole Miss. Lebby was there as the Rebels’ offensive coordinator, but Shapen didn’t play. However, the quarterback-head coach combo would battle it out last season when the Bears did battle with the Oklahoma Sooners.
“I love where our guys at. He’s a guy that’s done it, he’s lived it, he’s won a Big 12 championship,” Lebby said. “He’s had success and had some failure, too; a guy that plays the game in a way that is inspiring to his teammates because he plays with great edge, plays with great toughness, a guy that can make every single throw on the field, that can anticipate, and it’s really accurate. So I’m fired up about where Blake is.
“The best part to me is I knew it because I’ve seen it up close and personal. He had beat me at the last stop 38-35; I saw a guy that found ways to win football games but make plays and give them a chance to go have success.”
Lebby isn’t just excited about Shapen but all of his transfer portal acquisitions and with Shapen leading the way, they can make their offseason haul a class to remember.