Mississippi State football loses big part of 2021 class with Teddy Knox in transfer portal

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football lost a major piece of its 2021 recruiting class.

Wide receiver Teddy Knox, a four-star recruit and the third-highest ranked recruit in last year's class, entered the transfer portal Thursday. Knox received sparse playing time in 2021 for the Bulldogs, caught behind a slew of talented slot receivers.

The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native played five snaps in the slot against Tennessee State, and had one punt return during the Egg Bowl loss to Ole Miss. In the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Knox played four special teams snaps. In all, Knox saw the field for 16 snaps as a freshman. He was only targeted once, and the pass didn't result in a completion.

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With Jaden Walley and Austin Williams returning, much of Mississippi State's slot reps will remain with those two proven pass catchers. Christian Ford and Jamire Calvin will also return in the slot, creating a crowded room.

Knox picked Mississippi State over Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas, among other high-level programs. Coach Mike Leach occasionally referenced Knox as one of the young receivers he was most impressed with.

“He’s explosive, he’s fast, wants to learn, lot of energy, fun to be around, and it seems like he loves football,” former inside receivers coach Dave Nichol said in early August.

Knox spent the final two years of high school in Texas at Woodlands, where he caught 35 passes for 635 yards and four touchdowns as a senior. He added 102 yards on seven rushes that season, but his explosiveness didn't make an immediate impact in Starkville.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mississippi State football receiver Teddy Knox enters transfer portal