STARKVILLE, Miss. — Two Mississippi State football players heard their names called in the 2026 NFL Draft on Saturday, marking a historic moment for the Bulldogs.
Wide receiver Brenen Thompson was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fourth round. The Spearman, Texas, native showcased his speed at the NFL Combine with the fastest 40-yard dash time of 4.26 seconds. Thompson’s standout season in 2025 set the Mississippi State single-season receiving record with 1,054 yards, making him the first Bulldog to lead the Southeastern Conference in receiving yardage. Over his career at Mississippi State, Thompson totaled 84 receptions for 1,557 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Tight end Seydou Traore was chosen in the fifth round by the Miami Dolphins. The London native, who began playing 11-on-11 football in 2020, had a productive collegiate career including stints at Arkansas State. His time at Mississippi State over the past two seasons saw him compile 69 receptions for 728 yards and six touchdowns. Traore’s draft selection marks the first time an international player has been drafted through the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, according to league sources.
Thompson’s selection ended a 30-year drought for Mississippi State receivers in the NFL draft, the last being Eric Moulds in 1996. Both players’ selections reflect their potential to impact at the professional level, with Thompson regarded as one of the most explosive prospects in this year’s draft class.
Additional coverage of Mississippi State football and updates on spring practice can be found on the university’s official channels.
