Judge’s ruling opens door for Mississippi State, Southern Miss football players to get 5th year

Mississippi State is working to add two former players to its roster and Southern Miss is welcoming back a trio of familiar faces, courtesy of a landmark ruling that grants some student-athletes an extra year of eligibility. For Mississippi State, the Bulldogs quickly mobilized to bring back two key defensive pieces — edge rusher Malick Sylla and safety Jahron Manning — though one has a more difficult case than the other. We’ll see how it all plays out,” Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby said on Tuesday. Mississippi State begins the 2026-27 season versus Louisiana Monroe in Starkville on Sept. 5. Southern Miss opens the upcoming season versus Alcorn State at home that same day.