North Texas center Ethan Miner talks decision to transfer to Mississippi State
With several holes to fill on the offensive line, Mississippi State entered the offseason looking to add impact guys in the trenches. On Thursday, the Bulldogs took a major step forward in filling one of those needs.
North Texas center and graduate transfer Ethan Miner announced his decision to spend his last college season at Mississippi State. The Connecticut native spent three seasons at Arkansas State before transferring to North Texas for the 2023 season. He was listed as the nation’s second-highest graded center this past season by Pro Football Focus.
“Me and my wife just really love Starkville,” said Miner. “The staff treated us like family and I just knew on my visit that is where I wanted to be. I believe that is where I belong.”
Miner officially visited Mississippi State this past weekend and was joined by several family members. He got a full dose of what head coach Jeff Lebby wants to do on offense and is ready to be part of Lebby’s first season in Starkville.
“I am extremely excited for that,” added Miner about playing in Lebby’s offense. “He’s done extremely well everywhere he’s went. I think being in that offense is going to be a lot of fun.”
Miner played last season under the direction of former North Texas offensive line coach Jon Cooper, who recently joined Lebby’s staff at Mississippi State to coach tight ends.
“It was definitely nice visiting and already knowing Coach Coop,” noted the 6-foot-3 and 300-pound Miner this past weekend. “But I also talked a lot with Coach Lebby and Coach (Cody) Kennedy and they were great. I can tell they are genuine people and that is what sold me on North Texas the last time, especially with Coach Coop being there. I felt very similar this weekend.”
His weekend stay in Starkville also allowed Miner to get a better grasp of Kennedy and his coaching background.
“I love Coach Kennedy and I can tell he is really smart,” Miner said. “He knows what he is talking about and he has a lot of coaching experience in the SEC. It was good to hear his vision and his process of coaching offensive linemen, and we went over that during my visit.”
Another factor behind Lebby’s decision was his thoughts on Lebby. Miner was optimistic about the direction Lebby is taking the Bulldogs’ program and now Miner will play a part in that process for Lebby and his staff.
“Coach Lebby is awesome,” Miner said. “Me and my family talked about that and talked about how great it was with Coach Lebby during the visit. A lot of coaches will put on a show on visits, obviously. But it is pretty easy to see through it and Coach Lebby is genuine.”
Miner becomes the third transfer commitment for the Bulldogs this offseason, joining former Baylor quarterback Blake Shapen and North Carolina transfer defensive lineman Kedrick Bingley-Jones, who committed to State on Wednesday.
