Why Jeff Lebby believes Mississippi State football has the right receivers for its offense

STARKVILLE – Kelly Akharaiyi was among the top receivers available in the transfer portal this offseason, and his numbers show why. Last season at UTEP, Aharaiyi ranked fourth nationally with 21.52 yards per reception.

His explosiveness led to a variety of teams reaching out, including Oklahoma, Nebraska and Oregon, among others. However, because of coach Jeff Lebby's hiring, he ended up at Mississippi State football.

The appeal to Lebby's offense was simple.

“How much he throws the ball,” Akharaiyi said. “My other offense was we didn’t really throw the ball much. Here he told me that we will throw the ball. I have great weapons around me. I love it.”

Acquiring receivers was clearly a priority for Lebby, who is entering his first season as a head coach after serving as offensive coordinator at Oklahoma. Along with Akharaiyi, Mississippi State added Kevin Coleman as a transfer from Louisville.

In the high school signing class, Lebby inherited an in-state commitment from JJ Harrell, who was a four-star prospect according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. However, the core of the class at the position came after Lebby's hiring with Mario Craver, Braylon Burnside and Sanfrisco Magee.

With veterans leading a young team, Lebby feels like he has receivers capable of fitting into his offense.

“We have some guys at the receiver position that have played quite a bit of ball and produced some stuff — maybe not here, but in other spots,” Lebby said. “I think that helps, without a doubt.”

Is Creed Whittemore the best returning receiver for Mississippi State?

The additions to Mississippi State are eye-catching, but Lebby inherited an intriguing piece from last season's squad. Creed Whittemore was a four-star prospect in the 2023 class who had 102 receiving yards and 60 rushing yards last year as part of a disappointing MSU offense.

As an interior receiver, however, Whittemore showed signs of promise – highlighted by a 33-yard receiving touchdown and a 53-yard rushing score in his collegiate debut against Southeastern Louisiana.

“Moving from the previous coach to Cach Lebby was one of the best things that could have happened to me,” Whittemore said. “Coach Lebby is someone I wanted to play for and hoped he would come. I was thrilled when he got the job. I think everyone was just happier. I think we just felt a joy in our facility.”

Whittemore shares a position with Craver, and the freshman has stood out over the sophomore.

“He’s one of a kind,” Whittemore said. “He made a few plays (during a practice on March 23) that you can’t teach. They’re things you either have or you don’t, and he has them.”

In Mississippi State's tight end room

After three seasons under the late Mike Leach in which the Bulldogs didn't use a tight end, Mississippi State brought back the position last season. However, it was not an effective group under coach Zach Arnett and offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay.

Last season at OU, Austin Stogner led Lebby tight ends with 17 catches for 196 yards.

“Tight end is definitely used more in this offense,” Seydou Traore said. “Last year there weren’t as many receptions and targets thrown behind.”

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Lebby leaned on the portal to bolster MSU's position, adding brothers Justin Ball and Cameron Ball. Mississippi State also gets Traore back after he was sidelined last season after transferring from Colorado.

“I couldn't play last year and I knew I was good enough to play and be on the field,” Traore said. “…I know there's a bigger plan, so I just had to be patient.”

Stefan Krajisnik is the Mississippi State beat writer for the Clarion Ledger. Contact him at [email protected] or follow him on the X Platform, formerly known as Twitter. @skrajisnik3.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Mississippi State football coach Jeff Lebby is happy with receivers