South Carolina transfer linebacker Stone Blanton talks Mississippi State decision
After spending two seasons at South Carolina, Stone Blanton is returning home. The Gamecock transfer linebacker concluded his Mississippi State official visit on Friday and announced his commitment to the Bulldogs following that visit.
Blanton is a former Madison-Ridgeland Academy standout who has two seasons left to play. This past season, Blanton started all 12 games for South Carolina and had 52 tackles, one sack, three PBUs and a pick six.
Not long after entering the transfer portal, Blanton quickly became a top transfer target for the new Bulldogs’ staff. With State losing Bookie Watson and Jett Johnson off the 2023 roster, Blanton was also a major need for the Bulldogs.
“I just wanted to come home, to be honest,” the 6-foot-2 and 232-pound Blanton stated. “I wanted to play in Mississippi and that is what kind of led to me going into the portal. I love South Carolina and I loved playing there. But I always knew I wanted to live in Mississippi when I was done playing football so that is why I did it.
“I loved South Carolina and I loved my time there. But after I entered the transfer portal and after meeting Coach (Jeff) Lebby and Coach Coleman) Hutzler, they made me feel like I came to the right place at the right time and it is all God’s timing.”
During his time in the transfer portal, Blanton had several schools reach out to him. But in the end, he only needed to take one visit.
“There were a lot of schools that reached out (besides Mississippi State),” noted Blanton. “It was Florida State, Ole Miss, Washington, Stanford, Miami, Louisville, Texas A&M and a few more. But Mississippi State was the only visit I set up.”
While on his visit, Blanton spent time with Hutzler, State’s new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He noted of those conversations and his thoughts on his future position coach.
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“It was good with Coach Hutzler,” Blanton said. “He seems like a great coach, great guy. I am excited to play for him. We talked about his scheme and he wants me at mike linebacker.”
And with Lebby, Blanton is also eager to see the Bulldogs’ future under his direction. Since taking over the program in late November, Lebby has hit the transfer portal and high school ranks hard while trying to add more talent to his first roster in Starkville.
“Coach Hutzler and Coach Lebby have been the main two coaches,” Blanton mentioned. “COach Hutzler was excited to get me there for a visit so I could see everything and get to meet them in person. Coach Lebby was the same way and he was excited to get me there for a visit. Coach Lebby was awesome and he is going to be a fantastic head coach. I am excited to see what’s in store.”
In a couple more weeks, Blanton will return to Mississippi State to begin classes. And being in Starkville this week secured his thoughts on being a Bulldog.
“It was awesome,” said Blanton. “It was unbelievable being back in this atmosphere and to be back at Mississippi State. It felt like home and I was ready to come back home and be a Bulldog.”
