Mississippi State was serious about revamping the offensive line in the transfer portal. With the arrival of new OL coach Phil Loadholt, the Bulldogs have worked to get bigger and better up front. With three commitments from the spring transfer portal, it appears that things are going according to plan. State has picked up three new OLs this week with designs on perhaps taking one or two more.
The newest transfer to choose Mississippi State is former UTEP center Brennan Smith. Starkville will serve as the third stop in his college career. The Esacambia High School (FL) product began his time on the college level at Austin Peay. After a coaching change, he elected to move on to UTEP with some familiar faces.
"I was at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessse my first three years," Smith said in his first public comments since announcing his decision. "My head coach (Scotty Walden) took the job at UTEP. I followed him. He brought like me and ten other guys over there with him to help install the culture and stuff like that.
"Last year, we didn't do too well, but this year, they are going to have a very solid team. I was one of the main leaders on that team. I know that there is going to be nothing, but good things for them on that team this year.
While Smith is a new name to Mississippi State fans, he is not a new one to Loadholt. It turns out that the two have had a relationship for some time. An offer from Mississippi State was extended yesterday. Once the opportunity presented itself, Smith was eager to be a Bulldog. He made the move.
"I had a good relationship with Coach Loadholt when he was at Oklahoma," Smith shared. "After I entered the portal, I kind of knew that this was where I was going to go. It's a little closer to home."
Smith wrapped up his official visit to Mississippi State this morning. He find everything to his liking and is eager to return to campus and begin his time as a Bulldog student athlete. Smith is eager to work, but he has never stopped working. He went through spring practice at UTEP, so he remains in good football shape ahead of his transfer to Mississippi State.
"I got to see all of the facilities during my visit," Smith said. "They're very nice facilities. I thought everything was great. Everything was top tier. Arguably the best in the country from what I have seen. I had a really good time. I got to see the stadium. The stadium was great. I am super excited to be in there with 65,000 cowbells as loud as they can possibly be."
Tackles were a priority in the spring portal process for Coach Jeff Lebby and his staff. After the Bulldog spring practice sessions, the State staff felt they needed to get better on the interior as well. That is where Smith comes in.
"I am going to be the leader up front and be the center," Smith explained. "I am goign to come in and do my best to compete for that starting spot. I want to lead this offensive line. Personally, I feel that one of my main personality traits is leadership. I feel like I can be a good leader here. I have meshed with a couple of the guys I have met already. I am super excited to get those relationships going. I have got to get those guys to trust me first. I am going to show them and work my butt off. I want to prove that I can step in and be that leader for them."
Mississippi State had a tough year in 2024, so the need for reinforcements was a big one. Smith is happy to be a Bulldog and is eager to get to work towards some big things in his final season on the college level. He will report to Mississippi State in time for summer school and offseason conditioning drills.
"The main thing for me is to build relationships," Smith said. "Me and Coach Loadholt have a good relationship already. I know there are a lot of new guys and a lot of new transfers. Being able to build bonds with them is important. My main objective is to build a really close bond with those guys. We have to work together to make sure there are never any issues in the room and that we have the best five out there, so we can compete for the SEC Championship."
