When the Mississippi State football team kicks off the 2024 season on Aug. 31, a homegrown linebacker will be suiting up in his first official game with the maroon and white after a roundabout journey to Starkville.
Jackson native and former Madison-Ridgeland Academy standout Stone Blanton is eager to capitalize on an opportunity in his home state of Mississippi after a two-year stint at South Carolina. A dual-sport athlete out of high school, Blanton initially had plans to join the Bulldogs’ baseball squad, but an offer to play SEC football by Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer was too good to turn down.
While in Columbia, Blanton played an integral role in a strong linebacker corps that included Debo Williams, a 2023 first-team All-SEC defender. In his two seasons, Blanton accumulated 59 total tackles, a sack, a forced fumble, and a pick-six.
Though the two years at South Carolina proved to be invaluable for the linebacker, a chance to be much closer to home and remain in college football’s most dominant conference was one Blanton couldn’t turn down.
“I feel like it was kind of just a perfect fit when I came here. Being able to go home when I need to see my family, that’s probably the best part,” Blanton recently told the media after a fall practice. “I’ve loved every bit of it. I’m excited.”
Not only will this be Blanton’s first go-round in Starkville, but he will also be battling for inaugural Bulldog frontman Jeff Lebby and defensive coordinator Coleman Hutzler. In addition, the junior will have big shoes to fill as he will be tasked with being a veteran presence on a group having to replace the production of SEC leading tacklers Nathaniel Watson and Jett Johnson.
“Those guys were insane. They were unreal. I watched those guys last year when I was playing just to see how they were doing and what they were doing. I always kept up with them. Bookie and Jett were fantastic linebackers,” Blanton said. “We’ve just got to do our job and do what we can for the defense. As long as the defense produces well, we produce well.”
Blanton, acknowledging the high expectations of Mississippi State linebackers, touted the collection of guys in the unit, noting that he expects big things from teammates John Lewis, JP Purvis, and Javae Gilmore, among others.
When the Bulldogs open up the regular season against Eastern Kentucky in just over three weeks, Blanton will be able to fully soak in the atmosphere produced by a rowdy, cowbell-ringing Mississippi State crowd from a player’s perspective. The first time he stepped onto Scott Field as a member of the Bulldogs’ program, the gravity of the moment had not quite set in.
“The most surreal part about coming here was just being able to walk into [Davis-Wade Stadium] and have the appreciation of being there,” Blanton continued. “This is the place where I have been growing up. I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.”
