How’s this for a Mississippi State football Christmas present?
Mississippi State football’s efforts to rebuild the roster under head coach Jeff Lebby are ongoing. One position the team hoped to strengthen through the transfer portal was running back, and on Tuesday night, the Bulldogs received a great Christmas gift.
Former South Alabama running back Fluff Bothwell has committed to Mississippi State, transferring from the portal. The Bulldogs got exciting news on Christmas Eve when Bothwell announced his decision. As a true freshman in 2024, he led the Jaguars in rushing with 832 yards and 13 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 7.5 yards per carry.
The Oneonta native was a relatively unknown prospect coming out of high school, opting for South Alabama over several Group of 5 and FCS offers. However, he quickly showed that he had been underrated as a recruit. The 5-11, 219-pound Bothwell is now a 4-star transfer prospect and is ranked as the third-best running back in the transfer portal. He will have three years of eligibility remaining.
Fluff Bothwell is an ideal fit for the Mississippi State offense. Bothwell is a highly talented young running back with his best years ahead of him, and he has the potential to thrive at Mississippi State. The Jeff Lebby offense is already built to generate strong rushing numbers, and Bothwell could play a key role for the Bulldogs.
With returning players like Johnnie Daniels, Seth Davis, and Xavier Gayten, Mississippi State lacks a power back on the roster. While there is a chance that starter and leading rusher Davon Booth could return under a new NCAA rule, he is more of a speed back rather than a physical, between-the-tackles runner.
Bothwell immediately becomes the most physical runner on the team, making him perfect for short-yardage and goal-line situations. That said, he is also more than capable of being an every-down back. Lebby prefers a rotation in the backfield, and having a variety of skill sets adds depth. This is a fantastic addition for Mississippi State, as Bothwell is expected to provide a significant boost to the Bulldog offense.
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