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On3 tabs Kelley Jones among top 100 players for 2026

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Although the college football season just came to an end, rosters around the country have already taken shape for the 2026 season.

There are still pieces to be added across the landscape but most of the big names have either settled in on a new home or are set for another season at their school. With that in mind, On3 has begun mapping out who could be the biggest impact players in college football in 2026 and they’ve released a way-too-early top 100.

Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones found himself on the list as On3 tabbed him as the No. 35 player in the country and the No. 4 cornerback on the list. Coincidentally, Jones is one spot behind former State corner Brice Pollock who transferred to Texas Tech two seasons ago.

Jones announced that he was turning down the NFL back on January 4 as the talented corner enters his fourth year in the program. The 6’4, 195-pound junior was a projected first round pick by NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr.

During the 2025 season, Jones broke through for a huge year as a redshirt sophomore. He finished the year with 34 tackles, 11 pass deflections and two interceptions. He was one of the highest graded corners in the country as he finished fourth among corners in the SEC by PFF with a 87.0 grade and he had a 21.7% completion percentage against which was tied for the best in the league.

The Clarksdale native had 29 tackles and a pass deflection and fumble recovery his redshirt freshman season after cutting his teeth for the first time in 2024.

Another Bulldog on the list was Texas A&M wide receiver Mario Craver at No. 33. Craver transferred to the Aggies after the 2024 season and earned a lucrative deal after the season from A&M that the Aggies claim made him the highest paid skill position player in school history.

12 of the top 25 players on the list will be on State’s schedule next season with a total of 28 players on the top 100 list. Jeff Lebby has another tough slate ahead as the SEC goes to nine conference games for the first time.

The Bulldogs are coming off of three-straight losing seasons with Lebby sitting at 7-18 through two years. State was able to make a bowl game with five wins in 2025, but the Bulldogs lost the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to Wake Forest on January 2.

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