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STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football held its first 2026 preseason practice on Aug. 6 at the Leo Seal Jr. Football Complex.
Reporters were able to observe the first five periods of practice, which lasted about 30 minutes. The players were not in full pads and mostly did individual and position drills. Coach Jeff Lebby held a press conference afterward.
Here's what we saw at MSU's practice.
The only Mississippi State player wearing a yellow no-contact jersey was Syracuse transfer linebacker James Heard Jr. It doesn't mean he's the only injured player, though. Lebby wouldn't reveal any specifics about the team's injuries.
"Yeah, we've got a couple of things going on that I'll wait to comment on, kind of get a little more info on," Lebby said. "Right now, we're in a pretty good spot. We've got to keep it that way while getting the work that we need. That's the reality of it. There's a fine line.
"We've got to continue to develop the back half of our roster. Our best players got to continue to develop the right way and get the reps. But come that first Saturday, we've got to be fresh and fast. We understand that and we'll go about it the right way."
Notably, defensive lineman Will Whitson and offensive lineman Blake Steen were practicing after 2025 season-ending injuries that limited them in the spring. Whitson had a brace on his right knee.
MORE: Where Jeff Lebby stands on Mississippi State football adding newly eligible 2022 players
Sophomore Kamario Taylor is Mississippi State's new starting quarterback after being the backup to Blake Shapen last season. Two of the drills we saw included him throwing sideline routes to running back Fluff Bothwell and then a mix of routes to different tight ends.
"He's really hard on himself, which I absolutely love," Lebby said. "He coaches himself in a great way. He's immediately trying to fix things when he hadn't gotten it right. That's what you love about him.
"There's constant conversation and he's got a ton of work to do. You talk about intent and focus and everything you want from that position and putting it all in to be able to go execute it, he does it. We're going to be in a good spot with him."
Trevion Williams made seven starts last season at defensive end but is now playing defensive tackle.
"I love moving Bam Bam back inside and doing what he's doing for us inside has really helped that room," Lebby said. "I think it's helped him and cut him free to be able to just go play free and fast, which has been really good."
Williams, a four-star in the 2022 recruiting class, had 20 tackles last season with 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What we saw from Mississippi State football, Kamario Taylor in first preseason practice
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Reporters were able to observe the first five periods of practice, which lasted about 30 minutes. The players were not in full pads and mostly did individual and position drills. Coach Jeff Lebby held a press conference afterward.
Here's what we saw at MSU's practice.
Jeff Lebby quiet about Mississippi State injuries
The only Mississippi State player wearing a yellow no-contact jersey was Syracuse transfer linebacker James Heard Jr. It doesn't mean he's the only injured player, though. Lebby wouldn't reveal any specifics about the team's injuries.
"Yeah, we've got a couple of things going on that I'll wait to comment on, kind of get a little more info on," Lebby said. "Right now, we're in a pretty good spot. We've got to keep it that way while getting the work that we need. That's the reality of it. There's a fine line.
"We've got to continue to develop the back half of our roster. Our best players got to continue to develop the right way and get the reps. But come that first Saturday, we've got to be fresh and fast. We understand that and we'll go about it the right way."
Notably, defensive lineman Will Whitson and offensive lineman Blake Steen were practicing after 2025 season-ending injuries that limited them in the spring. Whitson had a brace on his right knee.
MORE: Where Jeff Lebby stands on Mississippi State football adding newly eligible 2022 players
How Jeff Lebby assessed Kamario Taylor's practice
Sophomore Kamario Taylor is Mississippi State's new starting quarterback after being the backup to Blake Shapen last season. Two of the drills we saw included him throwing sideline routes to running back Fluff Bothwell and then a mix of routes to different tight ends.
"He's really hard on himself, which I absolutely love," Lebby said. "He coaches himself in a great way. He's immediately trying to fix things when he hadn't gotten it right. That's what you love about him.
"There's constant conversation and he's got a ton of work to do. You talk about intent and focus and everything you want from that position and putting it all in to be able to go execute it, he does it. We're going to be in a good spot with him."
Trevion Williams moves to defensive tackle
Trevion Williams made seven starts last season at defensive end but is now playing defensive tackle.
"I love moving Bam Bam back inside and doing what he's doing for us inside has really helped that room," Lebby said. "I think it's helped him and cut him free to be able to just go play free and fast, which has been really good."
Williams, a four-star in the 2022 recruiting class, had 20 tackles last season with 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hurries.
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: What we saw from Mississippi State football, Kamario Taylor in first preseason practice
Continue reading...
