Mississippi State basketball lands Georgetown's Jayden Epps in transfer portal
Georgetown's Jayden Epps committed to the Bulldogs and coach Chris Jans on April 25, according to a report from On3. He is ranked by 247Sports as a four-star transfer.
Advertisement
Epps, listed at 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, scored 12.8 points per game as a junior last season while averaging 2.3 assists, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals. He shot a career-high 34.4% from 3-point range on 5.7 attempts per game. He averaged 18.5 points per game as a sophomore.
Epps is from Virginia and played at Illinois as a freshman in the 2022-23 season.
What Jayden Epps brings to Mississippi State basketball in transfer portal
Epps fills a need as an offensive threat at the guard position for MSU.
The Bulldogs are experiencing heavy roster turnover from last season's team that reached a third consecutive NCAA tournament. Leading scorer Josh Hubbard declared for the NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility. If he doesn't return, MSU will lose its top eight scorers from last season.
Advertisement
Epps started 50 games in the last two seasons at Georgetown and could be a starter for Mississippi State, too.
Epps is Mississippi State's fifth transfer commitment joining wing Achor Achor (Kansas State), guard/forward Amier Ali (Arizona State), center Quincy Ballard (Wichita State) and guard Ja'Borri McGhee (UAB).
SCHEDULE: Mississippi State basketball scheduled for Hall of Fame Classic during 2025-26 season
Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Jayden Epps transferring to Mississippi State from Georgetown | Report
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a day ago
- USA Today
College football gifts: Nick Saban gets new hat, Lincoln Riley finds escape
My birthday draws near, and generous readers should know I have room in my liquor cabinet for a bottle of nice rum, room on my bookshelf for S.A. Cosby's latest crime fiction, and room in my inbox for words of flattery. They say it is better to give than to receive. I suspect the originator of that idiom never received an all-expense-paid vacation to a Caribbean island. Nevertheless, I've been struck by a generous spirit throughout this college football offseason, and, with season openers nearly upon us, it's time to dish out gifts to some football luminaries. Self-care is important, so I saved the final gift for myself. Here's my gift list: Jon Gruden: A phone call from Mississippi State. Jimbo Fisher: A phone call from Virginia Tech. Nick Saban: A 'Make Football Great Again' hat. Cody Campbell: A copy of 'I Alone Can Fix It.' PATH TO PLAYOFF: Sign up for our college football newsletter Jim Harbaugh: The last laugh. Connor Stalions: Espionage training. Hugh Freeze: A new pair of golf spikes. Matt Rhule: Hugh Freeze's golf handicap. Luke Fickell: His old job back. Lincoln Riley: An escape hatch. Marcus Freeman: A starring role as the next James Bond. Mike Gundy: Mark Stoops' buyout clause. Mark Stoops: Mike Gundy's hair. Sam Pittman: A rod and reel to use at his retirement home in Lake Hamilton. The stripers are bitin' in October. Ed Orgeron: An interim coaching gig in the SEC. Kalen DeBoer: A tank top. Brian Kelly: A reinforced tabletop. Lane Kiffin: A comfy cushion and a good book for his rocking chair. Dabo Swinney: An apology note from Tyler from Spartanburg. Ryan Day: A coupon for ADT home protection. Ohio State fans: A sense of gratitude for their coach. Shane Beamer: A cage match with Bret Bielema. Lee Corso: A farewell hug from Brutus Buckeye. Big Ten Network: A talk-show host as talented as Paul Finebaum. Paul Finebaum: A candlelit dinner for two with Arch Manning. Arch Manning: Connor Stalions' incognito sunglasses, good for a day of anonymity. Garrett Nussmeier: A selfie with a Walmart shopper. James Franklin: A wide receiver as talented as Jeremiah Smith. Jeremiah Smith: A Heisman Trophy. Cade Klubnik: A trip to New York City to see Smith win the Heisman. Carson Beck: The Club, a time-tested device for protecting hot rods. John Mateer: A Cash App account. Diego Pavia: His own podcast. DJ Lagway: A roll of bubble wrap. Nico Iamaleava: An offensive system as friendly to quarterbacks as Josh Heupel's. Josh Heupel: A quarterback as talented as Iamaleava. Oklahoma: Indiana's schedule. Indiana: UConn's schedule. Greg Sankey: A vinyl copy of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers' 'It's Good to be King.' Tony Petitti: A vinyl copy of Queen's 'We Are the Champions.' Brett Yormark: A vinyl copy of 'Viva México.' Big 12 fans: An Aer Lingus gift card. Oregon State fans: A retro Pac-8 T-shirt. Oregon fans: A visitor's guide to Piscataway, New Jersey. Virginia Tech fans: A coaching search. Virginia fans: A coaching search. Penn State fans: A first-round playoff bye. Alabama fans: A first-round playoff game. Auburn fans: A trip to the Liberty Bowl. Oklahoma fans: A trip to the Citrus Bowl. Texas fans: A national championship. Bill Belichick: A new publicist. Jordon Hudson: A new job. Belichick and Hudson: A lifetime of love and happiness. Blake Toppmeyer: A fourth consecutive season of roach-free hotel rooms. Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network's national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@ and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Preseason SEC football power rankings entering 2025 season
The 2025 SEC football season has now officially arrived. Yes, after a lengthy offseason full of action off the field, the 2025 season has arrived for the SEC. Similar to seasons past as well, the SEC is once again expected to be among the best conferences in all of college football. Looking back at last season, the SEC placed three teams into the College Football Playoff, while a few others ended up falling just short of making the field. However, when projecting the 2025 campaign, many of those same teams could also be in contention to make the College Football Playoff, some of which are likely expected to entering the year. Something that will be updated weekly going forward, let's take a look at the preseason SEC football power rankings entering the 2025 season. 16. Mississippi State Bulldogs Mississippi State had one of the worst seasons in program history a year ago, ending year one of the Jeff Lebby era with a 2-10 overall record (0-8 in SEC) in what was the Bulldogs first double-digit loss season since 2003. There is potential for a bounce back season in Starkville however after Mississippi State added a deep transfer portal class, combining that group with a returning starter at quarterback in Blake Shapen. The Bulldogs will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, with an in-state road showdown at Southern Miss. 15. Kentucky Wildcats Kentucky simply had a forgetful season a year ago, finishing among the bottom of the conference at 4-8 overall (1-7 in SEC) in likely their worst campaign since 2013. Mark Stoops and the Wildcats will also be relying on some newer faces this fall in order for a bounce back season, most notably Incarnate Word transfer quarterback Zach Calzada. The Wildcats will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Toledo. 14. Arkansas Razorbacks The Razorbacks bounced back a bit during year five of the Sam Pittman era last season, finishing with a 7-6 overall record (3-5 in SEC). Set to return for Arkansas this season however is a talented team led by returning quarterback Taylen Green, one that will be looking to take the next step into a SEC contender. Arkansas will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Alabama A&M. 13. Vanderbilt Commodores Vanderbilt and head coach Clark Lea finished last season at 7-6 overall (3-5 in SEC), which was the Commodores' first winning season since 2013. The Commodores should not go anywhere this fall either, as prominent players in Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers both return, leaving reason to believe Vanderbilt can potentially build off their success from a year ago. Set to open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, Vanderbilt will host Charleston Southern in Week 1. 12. Missouri Tigers Missouri and head coach Eliah Drinkwitz are coming off their second consecutive double-digit win season at 10-3 overall (5-3 in SEC). The Tigers however are a different looking team this fall after multiple prominent departures, but have still added key names such as Penn State transfer quarterback Beau Pribula. Drinkwitz and Missouri will be the SEC's first team to play during Week 1, doing so Thursday, Aug. 28, at home against Central Arkansas. 11. Auburn Tigers The Auburn Tigers are coming off a 5-7 overall season (2-6 in SEC), and have not won more than six games in a year since 2019. Led by head coach Hugh Freeze, Auburn will return one of the SEC's top wide receivers in Cam Coleman, while also having brought in a transfer class that features former Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold. Auburn's season opener will take place Friday, Aug. 29, on the road at Baylor. 10. Oklahoma Sooners After winning double-digit games in 2023, Oklahoma and head coach Brent Venables took a step back in year one as a member of the SEC, finishing with a 6-7 overall record (2-6 in SEC). Since, the Sooners have however seen a significant amount of roster movement, one that is headlined by a new starter at quarterback in former Washington State transfer John Mateer. Oklahoma will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Illinois State. 9. Florida Gators The Florida Gators likely enjoyed the greatest season of the Billy Napier era so far a year ago, which featured an 8-5 overall record (4-4 in SEC). Led by a returning quarterback in DJ Lagway, there is certainly potential for the Gators to take yet another step forward in 2025 as well to even improve on that win total of eight. Florida will open the 2025 season at home Saturday, Aug. 30, against Long Island University. 8. Tennessee Volunteers Head coach Josh Heupel and Tennessee are coming off a season in which the Volunteers make the College Football Playoff at 10-3 overall (6-2 in SEC). The Volunteers however are tasked with replacing some notable players, which means that Tennessee will be counting on multiple new faces to make an impact such as Appalachian State transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar. Tennessee will play a neutral-site game to open the 2025 season, facing Syracuse in Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, Aug. 30. 7. Ole Miss Rebels Lane Kiffin led Ole Miss to its' second consecutive double-digit win season a year ago, finishing at 10-3 overall (5-3 in SEC). The Rebels should be back in College Football Playoff contention this season led by the likes of Suntarine Perkins and Austin Simmons, even despite some notable departures also. Ole Miss is set to open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against Georgia State. 6. Texas A&M Aggies Year one of the Mike Elko era was a solid one for the Texas A&M Aggies, finishing with an 8-5 overall record (5-3 in SEC) for their highest win total since 2021. There is certainly potential for Texas A&M to repeat that success during the 2025 season as well, with a big reason as to why being a returning starter at quarterback in Marcel Reed. Texas A&M will open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, at home against UTSA. 5. South Carolina Gamecocks South Carolina took a step forward a year ago under head coach Shane Beamer, finishing with a 9-4 overall record (5-3 in SEC) in what was their first nine-win season since 2017. There is reason to believe the Gamecocks could be here to stay as a SEC contender in 2025 as well, with a big reason why being returning quarterback LaNorris Sellers. The Gamecocks will open the season Sunday, Aug. 31, against Virginia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia. 4. LSU Tigers Led by head coach Brian Kelly, LSU is coming off a 9-4 overall season (5-3 in SEC), the Tigers first with less than double-digit wins since 2021. The Tigers will be back as a SEC contender yet again this fall, featuring a talented roster that is headlined by quarterback Garrett Nussmeier. LSU is set to open the season Saturday, Aug. 30, in a high-profile Top 10 road trip at Clemson, one of the SEC's biggest Week 1 matchups. 3. Alabama Crimson Tide Alabama enters year two of the Kalen DeBoer era coming off a down 2024 campaign in which the Crimson Tide had a 9-4 overall record (5-3 in SEC), the program's first non double-digit win season since 2007. The Crimson Tide will see a new quarterback this fall in Ty Simpson, who leads a team that also returns Ryan Williams and Kadyn Proctor, among others. On Saturday, Aug. 30, Alabama will travel to Florida State for one of the SEC's biggest Week 1 matchups. 2. Georgia Bulldogs Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs made the College Football Playoff a year ago at 11-3 overall (6-2 in SEC), the program's fourth consecutive double-digit win season. The Bulldogs will be back among the SEC's elite in 2025, led by a roster that returns a talented defense led by CJ Allen and KJ Bolden, among others. Georgia will play Marshall at home during Week 1 on Saturday, Aug. 30. 1. Texas Longhorns Steve Sarkisian and Texas had a memorable first season as part of the SEC, making the College Football Playoff at 13-3 overall (7-1 in SEC), the program's highest win total since 2009. The Longhorns are a preseason pick to make it back to the SEC Championship Game once again this fall, led by a roster featuring Arch Manning and Anthony Hill Jr., among others. Texas will open the season in college football's biggest Week 1 game, a top five road matchup at defending national Ohio State on Saturday, Aug. 30. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
2 days ago
- USA Today
Inside Georgia football's backup quarterback situation
Georgia Bulldogs fans are very familiar with the importance of having a good backup quarterback. Last season, the Bulldogs won an SEC championship with Gunner Stockton coming in and playing well in the second half against Texas after Carson Beck suffered a serious elbow injury. In 2025, Georgia is expected to start redshirt junior Gunner Stockton. Georgia has almost no experience behind Stockton in the quarterback room. Stockton's projected backup, Ryan Puglisi, is a redshirt freshman, and has never appeared in a game for Georgia. Puglisi is a pocket passer and a former four-star recruit. Georgia coach Kirby Smart likes how Puglisi prepares, but if he has to play for an extended period of time, then that could spell trouble for Georgia. Puglisi has gotten a lot of practice reps this offseason and is expected to see his first game action early in the season against Marshall and/or Austin Peay. However, Puglisi still has a lot to learn. "He prepares really hard," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said on Puglisi. "He studies, he's smart, picks things up. He makes mistakes, we'll say I'll do, and he learns from them. He generally knows when he messed up, he's walking off the field in the scrimmage and didn't change the protection on the play that he knew he should have. "He knew it messed him up, but he knew it right away, which is different than where he was this time last year. He's still trying to figure that out. He makes some really good throws and he's more comfortable in the pocket than he's been. He understands things much better and he has a confidence about it that has helped." Puglisi looked solid in Georgia's G-Day spring game, especially with the first-team offense (three of three for 52 passing yards and a touchdown with the first-team offense). Puglisi has gotten a lot of reps and went 23 of 49 for 224 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the spring game. He flashed a bit more mobility than we expected and rushed six times for 24 yards on G-Day. Beyond Puglisi are even larger unknowns. Georgia's third-string quarterback may actually be preferred walk-on Colter Ginn, who is only a redshirt freshman. Additionally, competing for the third-string role are true freshmen Ryan Montgomery (four-star) and Hezekiah Millender (three-star). Montgomery comes in as the No. 14 quarterback recruit in the nation, but he tore his ACL early into his senior year of high school. He lacks experience like the rest of Georgia's quarterback room outside of Gunner Stockton. "Yeah, mentally, he gets it, and he's very into the mental side of it," Smart said on Montgomery. "He throws a very catchable ball, a very accurate passer. A little overwhelmed at times and probably thinking too much in terms of, we give the quarterback a lot, and we give a freshman quarterback a lot, because it's a lot greater than what they're used to. But he's handled that volume well, and he does a good job processing information and taking coaching to the field, which is a good sign for a quarterback." Overall, Georgia's quarterback room lacks experience beyond Gunner Stockton. Georgia's lack of quarterback depth should make the Bulldogs hesitant to have designed runs for Stockton. Frankly we don't feel this team is capable of winning a national championship with a backup quarterback unlike some of the previous Georgia teams. This is not a good year for quarterback depth at Georgia, but Ryan Puglisi could fill in for a starter as a game or two and keep the team afloat. Georgia quarterback depth chart
