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STARKVILLE — Brenen Thompson broke Mississippi State football's single-season record for receiving yards in 2025.
Anthony Evans III wants to do even better — to beat Thompson's mark of 1,054 yards.
The two of them formed the Bulldogs' prolific receiving duo last season, with Evans posting 831 receiving yards. But with Thompson off to the NFL — a fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers — Evans will be the focus of opposing defenses for the first time in his career.
"I feel like that doesn't really affect me," Evans said after MSU's practice on Aug. 8. "It's just catch the ball that comes to me and take every advantage of every opportunity. I plan on, like I said, setting the record this year at Mississippi State. Just going forward with that, it's going to be a blessing to see."
The 2025 season was a breakout one for Evans, who transferred after two seasons at Georgia, where he totaled 88 yards in 2024 and 35 yards the year before. At MSU, he started all 13 games and had 67 receptions, 10 more than Thompson and third most in the SEC, with four touchdowns.
His season included breaking three tackles on one play to score the game-winning touchdown against Arkansas for coach Jeff Lebby's first SEC win.
"It pops up on my stuff every once in a while, but it is what it is," Evans said. "I try to skip past it. I'm looking forward to setting the record. I try to keep saying that. That's what my mind is focused on now. Setting the receiving record here for my fellow teammate Brenen."
Thompson's 1,054 yards led the SEC, and he was Mississippi State's first wide receiver picked in the NFL draft since Eric Moulds in 1996.
Evans' 831 yards in 2025 ranked 10th in the SEC and is fifth among returning SEC receivers.
MORE: What we saw from Mississippi State football, Kamario Taylor in first preseason practice
"That was just the start, me being able to learn the ins and outs of the offense, which I feel like is big for me in fall camp and you add in spring ball as well," Evans said. "It's going to help me set up a record-setting season."
If Evans does break the record, it will be with Kamario Taylor as the new Mississippi State quarterback. It's his first season as MSU's full-time starter, though he started two games last season against Ole Miss and Wake Forest.
Evans had no catches on six targets against Ole Miss, but had four catches for 80 yards against Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
"The type of guy Ant is with the ball in his hands, he's able to do it all himself," Taylor said. "You can throw Ant a bubble screen and Ant is able to make five guys miss. That's not something you see in a regular wide receiver. He's definitely able to do that."
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: Why Anthony Evans III is determined to break Brenen Thompson's MSU receiving record
Continue reading...
Anthony Evans III wants to do even better — to beat Thompson's mark of 1,054 yards.
The two of them formed the Bulldogs' prolific receiving duo last season, with Evans posting 831 receiving yards. But with Thompson off to the NFL — a fourth-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers — Evans will be the focus of opposing defenses for the first time in his career.
"I feel like that doesn't really affect me," Evans said after MSU's practice on Aug. 8. "It's just catch the ball that comes to me and take every advantage of every opportunity. I plan on, like I said, setting the record this year at Mississippi State. Just going forward with that, it's going to be a blessing to see."
The 2025 season was a breakout one for Evans, who transferred after two seasons at Georgia, where he totaled 88 yards in 2024 and 35 yards the year before. At MSU, he started all 13 games and had 67 receptions, 10 more than Thompson and third most in the SEC, with four touchdowns.
His season included breaking three tackles on one play to score the game-winning touchdown against Arkansas for coach Jeff Lebby's first SEC win.
"It pops up on my stuff every once in a while, but it is what it is," Evans said. "I try to skip past it. I'm looking forward to setting the record. I try to keep saying that. That's what my mind is focused on now. Setting the receiving record here for my fellow teammate Brenen."
Thompson's 1,054 yards led the SEC, and he was Mississippi State's first wide receiver picked in the NFL draft since Eric Moulds in 1996.
Evans' 831 yards in 2025 ranked 10th in the SEC and is fifth among returning SEC receivers.
MORE: What we saw from Mississippi State football, Kamario Taylor in first preseason practice
"That was just the start, me being able to learn the ins and outs of the offense, which I feel like is big for me in fall camp and you add in spring ball as well," Evans said. "It's going to help me set up a record-setting season."
Why Kamario Taylor believes Anthony Evans III can break Brenen Thompson's record
If Evans does break the record, it will be with Kamario Taylor as the new Mississippi State quarterback. It's his first season as MSU's full-time starter, though he started two games last season against Ole Miss and Wake Forest.
Evans had no catches on six targets against Ole Miss, but had four catches for 80 yards against Wake Forest in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
"The type of guy Ant is with the ball in his hands, he's able to do it all himself," Taylor said. "You can throw Ant a bubble screen and Ant is able to make five guys miss. That's not something you see in a regular wide receiver. He's definitely able to do that."
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: Why Anthony Evans III is determined to break Brenen Thompson's MSU receiving record
Continue reading...
