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Mississippi State

Senior Jahron Manning stepping up in Mississippi State secondary

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones10/16/25PaulJonesOn3
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Mississippi State Safety Jahron Manning

Throughout spring practice and training camp, Mississippi State’s Jahron Manning was consistently mentioned by Bulldog coaches and players. Midway through his first season as a Bulldog, Manning is starting to back up those expectations.

The former Old Dominion transfer has increased his game reps with each passing week and enters this weekend as the team’s leading tackler with 40 stops. Earlier this week, Manning met with the media to discuss the season and what lies ahead for the Bulldogs?

Q: At this point, is this team where you thought they could be?
Manning: Yes, most definitely. We’ve still got a lot of ball ahead of us. I feel like we’re still in a pretty good spot, especially coming off the season last year. So as a team, we still have all our dreams and goals in front of us.

Q: How do you feel physically going into the second half of the season?
Manning: Physically, I feel way better. Definitely, a much needed bye week. Mentally, just continuing to prepare every week.

Q: Your reps have increased steadily all season. Was there a point or a learning curve for you in the SEC?
Manning: I would say I was adjusting pretty fast. It really was not much different ball to me. Just being able to go out and execute as I can with my teammates and my brothers. That is the main goal, just go and execute.

Q: What does it say about the defense to play well most of the game at Texas A&M with some key pieces missing?
Manning: It definitely says a lot about our defense. I feel like we have the potential to be one of the best defenses in the country. If we continue to stay healthy, of course and we continue to execute and how we do. Then make sure we do that through all four quarters every week.

Q: What was the preparation on the back end of the defense having to play without Isaac Smith in the last game?
Manning: It was more of a next man up mentality. Going into the season, that’s football, everybody knows everybody is going to get banged up. So those guys that rotate, or just being available as possible.

Q: Has the defensive secondary been able to maintain confidence despite the two recent losses?
Manning: Yes, most definitely. We still have the best ball ahead of us. That’s the best part of it. So continuing to grow as a defense, continuing to grow as a secondary and reach our full potential and be one of the most dangerous secondaries in the country.

Q: What’s the communication level been like in the secondary?
Manning: I’m quarterbacking the defense, pretty much getting everybody lined up, making sure everybody is on the same page, communicating. Everybody knows their job responsibility but communication is just a confidence thing with communication.

Q: Florida quarterback DJ Lagway is dangerous in multiple aspects. Talk about trying to defend him.
Manning: You know, he’s a dangerous player. We just have to be able to limit him as much as possible. We can’t allow him to create plays on that side of the ball. Pretty much it’s pressure him and limiting.

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