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Will Whitson returning to Mississippi State in 2026

3rupauk8_400x400by: Robbie Faulk12/17/25RobbieFaulkOn3

Mississippi State’s 2026 defense just got a major lift.

Will Whitson’s season was cut short earlier this year, but he spears to be on his way to getting one last chance in college football. The senior defensive end announced on his Instagram that he will return for the 2026 season, pending NCAA clearance for his seventh season of eligibility.

Sources said that, though Whitson has not been cleared for another season, MSU is confident that appeal will go through allowing Whitson one more year.

Whitson’s first season in Starkville ended just six quarters into the season as he tore his ACL in his knee against Arizona State in game two. Prior to that injury, however, Whitson was on pace for a monster campaign with the Bulldogs.

The 6’5, 295-pounder from Cincinnati was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week his first game at State when he made four tackles, had 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack against Southern Miss. The next week against ASU, Whitson had four tackles, 2.0 TFL and another sack in the first half against the Sun Devils before going down with injury.

For most of the season, Whitson’s 2.0 sacks were the most on the team and he finished second for the year.

It was the second-straight year that was ended prematurely for Whitson. He went down in 2024 at Coastal Carolina with another injury after four games. In just four games, Whitson had 21 tackles, 3.5 TFL, 2.0 sacks and a forced fumble. In 2023, Whitson played a full season and started in nine games for Coastal, making 42 tackles, 5.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks.  

Prior to his time at Coastal, Whitson played three years at Independence Community College in Kansas. In 21 games, Whitson had 63 tackles, 16.0 TFL and 8.0 sacks.

Whitson is a big returner for State’s defensive line under new defensive coordinator Zach Arnett. The Bulldogs are also slated to return Trevion Williams, Kalvin Dinkins, DJ Reed, Jaray Bledsoe and Kai McClendon as contributors over the last two years.

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