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Sophomore OL Malik Ellis to enter transfer portal

3rupauk8_400x400by:Robbie Faulk•04/21/25•

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Mississippi State OL Malik Ellis

Mississippi State has more adjustments happening as the spring has come to a close and that means transfer portal additions.

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Malik Ellis is in the portal, sources confirmed to Maroon and White Daily. The news was first reported by Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Ellis moved around to multiple positions during his first two seasons in Starkville but seems to be in the middle of a crowded room as he heads into year three with the Bulldogs.

The Laurel native was a three-star prospect at offensive tackle coming out of high school and committed to the Bulldogs over offers from Florida State, Missouri and others. The On3 Industry Rankings had him as the No. 49 OT in the country for the class of 2023 and the No. 18 player in the state of Mississippi.

In Ellis’ first year, former head coach Zach Arnett and offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay moved him to tight end to give the Bulldogs depth at the position. He would play in 11 games his first season on campus and made four starts.

When Jeff Lebby came into the fold, the coach moved Ellis back to the offensive line. He would play in one game in 2024 and earned a redshirt. After going through the spring, the 6’5, 285-pound Ellis has decided to find a new spot for his final three years of eligibility.

Ellis is the 27th scholarship player to transfer out since the end of last season and the fifth in the last week since the spring portal opened. He joins fellow offensive linemen Jacorey Whitted and Jesse Ramil as well as linebacker Donterry Russell and defensive lineman Mason Clinton. State also had long snapper Luke Beard announce his intentions to enter the portal on Monday leaving State without one on the current roster.

Lebby has been adamant that the Bulldogs would be looking for offensive linemen in the portal this spring as the coach hasn’t been pleased with the look of the unit. New line coach Phil Loadholt and Lebby have been active going after targets in the first week.

“I’ve talked where we’re going to attack in the portal. We need to add some pieces up front on the offensive side of the ball. That is going to be critical for us,” Lebby said. “We need to add some pieces of guys that have played and played a high level for us to go do what we want to do. We have some talented young players that got here midyear, but maybe aren’t quite ready. That’s the reality of it. I think they have a chance to be special for us, but that’s where they’re at today and it is a process.”

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