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Mississippi State

Trio of State players add to the list of those entering transfer portal

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk06/05/25RobbieFaulkOn3
kevin mannell
Kevin Mannell (Photo by Mississippi State Athletics)

Another bundle of Mississippi State players are headed to the transfer portal as Thursday kicked off with three more Diamond Dawgs moving elsewhere.

LHP Robert Fortenberry, RHP Kevin Mannell and C Jackson Owen have all entered the portal according to sources. All three players were reserves for the Bulldogs this season.

Mannell leaves after coming to Starkville with some high expectations. The former Kansas State pitcher made a name for himself at Cloud County Community College and became one of the top prospects out of junior college last season.

The 6’4, 210-pound pitcher turned down opportunities in the MLB Draft to come to State and would pitch in 11 games while grabbing a 2-0 record with a 4.30 ERA. He pitched 14.2 innings with 14 hits, seven earned runs, five walks and struck out 19 batters. His last outing with State came against Missouri where he recorded just one out and gave up three hits and three runs.

Fellow JUCO pitcher Fortenberry transferred to MSU from Weatherford College and pitched in just six games and 5.2 innings. He had an ERA of 11.12 with seven hits, seven runs and a walk while striking out five. He pitched in just one SEC game and that was against Auburn on April 27.

Former Starkville High School standout Owen leaves MSU after two seasons and will have one more year remaining. After his SHS career, he became one of the top JUCO catchers in the country at Northeast Mississippi CC where he earned a Golden Glove. He sat out his first season in Starkville and played in just six games this year before a season-ending injury.

He released a final statement to MSU and its fans as he made his exit.

“Growing up in Starkville and being a Mississippi State baseball fan, you dream of coming to play at the Dude. But you never realize truly how special this place is,” Owen said. “I will forever cherish the relationships made, the experiences and the fans of Mississippi State baseball. With that being said, this sport is a business and sometimes you have to take a look in the mirror. It’s tough to walk away, but for my playing career it is what is best. I am excited for my next chapter and to see what God has in store.”

That’s now nine players from the current roster that have entered the portal since it opened on Monday. Those three join Landis Davila, Gavin Black, Dylan Cupp, Nolan Stevens, Michael O’Brien and Luke Dotson.

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