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Mississippi State Baseball Transfer Exodus

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Mississippi State Baseball Transfer Exodus

Mississippi State Baseball Transfer Exodus originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The familiar clang of metal bats has gone silent in Dudy Noble Field, but the off-season noise is growing louder and more uncertain for Mississippi State baseball. In a matter of days, 13 Diamond Dawgs have entered the NCAA transfer portal, marking one of the most dramatic early-summer exoduses in recent program memory.

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And fans are left asking: What’s going on in Starkville?

The latest names to hit the portal, Robert Fortenberry, Kevin Mannell, Jackson Owen and Steven Spalitta, may not have headlined box scores in 2024, but their departures underscore a larger shift inside the program.

• Mannell, a former JUCO star and Kansas State transfer, arrived with big expectations. The 6-foot-4 righty turned down MLB interest to wear Maroon and White. He made 11 appearances this season, posting a 2-0 record with a 4.30 ERA in 14.2 innings. But his last outing, a rocky performance against Missouri, may have signaled the end of his time in Starkville.

• Fortenberry, another junior college arm from Weatherford College, struggled in limited action. His 11.12 ERA over 5.2 innings leaves him looking for a fresh start after just one SEC appearance.

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• Owen, a hometown hero from Starkville High, penned a heartfelt goodbye to Bulldog Nation after two injury-plagued seasons. “You dream of playing at the Dude,” Owen wrote, “but sometimes you have to take a look in the mirror. For my playing career, this is what’s best.”

• Spalitta, a highly touted catcher from Louisiana, flashed potential in limited at-bats (.280 career average), including a standout performance against Southern Miss. But despite praise from former coach Chris Lemonis, consistent playing time never came.

They join RHP Gavin Black, SS Dylan Cupp, C Ross Highfill, LHP Wes Pritchard, RHP Mikhai Grant, OF/LHP Nolan Stevens, OF Michael O’Brien, OF Landis Davila, and LHP Luke Dotson.

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They are all part of the growing list of Bulldogs seeking new homes before the portal closes July 1.

Mississippi State University baseball player Ross Highfill (22) waits to take home during the Governor’s Cup played against the University of Mississippi at Trustmark Park on April 22, 2025, in Pearl, Miss.© Sarah Warnock/Special to Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Mississippi State University baseball player Ross Highfill (22) waits to take home during the Governor’s Cup played against the University of Mississippi at Trustmark Park on April 22, 2025, in Pearl, Miss.© Sarah Warnock/Special to Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With Brian O’Connor taking over the program, it’s no surprise that change is underway. The veteran head coach has held individual player meetings since arriving in Starkville, and the program appears to be recalibrating with a focus on roster fit, development, and long-term culture building.

But for fans, it stings. These aren’t just names on a spreadsheet. They’re young men who signed on to be part of one of college baseball’s most passionate fanbases, and whose stories, for one reason or another, didn’t unfold as hoped in Starkville.

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Mississippi State is expected to be active in the portal themselves, looking to balance experience with upside. But in the ever-evolving world of college athletics, roster churn is the new normal, and the only certainty is more change.

Still, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed: the heart of the Bulldog faithful. As the transfer window continues to turn, fans will watch, wait, and hope that this period of transition paves the way for a stronger, more competitive Mississippi State team in 2026.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA

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Petrino’s Friend Found a Workaround to Pay Taylen Green That’s Now Prohibited by NCAA
photo credit: Craven Whitlow

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When Bobby Petrino returned to Arkansas after the 2023 season, his first task was finding a new quarterback.

In this era of college football, that also meant funding a new quarterback. For that, the former head coach leaned on his old friend Frank Fletcher.

The Little Rock-based businessman stepped up and footed a large chunk of the bill for Taylen Green, the talented signal caller Petrino identified to run his offense for the Razorbacks.

It hasn’t only been a transactional relationship, though. Over the last two years, Fletcher has been mindful of Green’s life after sports. Rather than simply handing the star quarterback a boatload of cash, he offered something few college athletes receive: personal relationship and mentorship.

“I had a wonderful two years with Taylen Green,” Fletcher said during Monday’s edition of Morning Mayhem on 103.7 The Buzz. “I was lucky that I happened to back a player that was that nice a kid and [had] great parents. I’ve learned a lot from him. I’m teaching him everything I know, and he wants to learn.”

Fletcher helped Green navigate the financial market by giving the QB1 homework, making him chart a series of stocks over a few months – something that could prove even more important after his subpar finish to the 2025 season likely impacted his pro prospects.