100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 48 Days – Defensive Tackles Terrance Hibbler and Corey Clark
The Jeff Lebby era of Mississippi State football has begun. The Bulldogs are now on their third head coach in three years, following the tragic death of Mike Leach and the brief tenure of defensive coordinator Zach Arnett. Arnett’s stint as head coach ended before the season concluded, paving the way for Lebby to take over.
While hiring a first-time head coach always carries risks, Lebby brings an exciting and productive offensive scheme to Starkville, which has energized the fanbase. Over the next 100 days, we’ll explore Lebby’s roster and revisit some memorable moments in Bulldog history.
Today, we introduce two newcomers on the defensive line:
100 Day Bulldog Countdown: 48 Days – No. 97, Fr. DT Terrance Hibbler
Mississippi State continued its recruitment pipeline from Holmes County Central High School by securing one of the state’s top defensive linemen, Terrance Hibbler. Following in the footsteps of former teammates Corey Ellington, Khamauri Rogers, and Joseph Head Jr., Hibbler quickly gained traction in the recruiting scene.
Mississippi State’s coaching staff was among the first to pursue Hibbler, who eventually received offers from 11 of the 16 SEC schools, including Alabama, LSU, Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Auburn, and Ole Miss. Despite considering other offers, Hibbler remained committed to Mississippi State, signing with the Bulldogs last summer.
During his high school career in Lexington, Hibbler amassed 178 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, and 25 sacks. His senior year was particularly impressive, with 92 tackles and 21 sacks, earning him spots in the Clarion Ledger’s Dandy Dozen and the US Army All-American game.
Hibbler arrives at Mississippi State as a three-star recruit and is ranked No. 526 nationally by the On3 Industry Rankings. He is also rated as the No. 48 defensive lineman and the No. 18 player in Mississippi. While his impact this season remains to be seen, Hibbler’s talent could earn him playing time right away.
No. 94, Jr. DT Corey Clark
Corey Clark is a new addition to the Bulldogs, having caught the attention of defensive line coach David Turner and Jeff Lebby at a camp last month. Impressed by his performance, they decided he could contribute to the team.
The 6’4″, 310-pound Clark, a full qualifier from Northeast Mississippi Community College, is eligible to play immediately. In his first year at NEMCC, Clark recorded 23 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3 sacks as a defensive tackle.
Originally from Minor, Alabama, Clark had an outstanding senior year in high school with 122 tackles and 11 tackles for loss but was overlooked by major programs. He started his college career at North Alabama in 2022, playing in four games as a true freshman before redshirting. Clark then transferred to a junior college in Mississippi.
As a three-star recruit, Clark joins the Bulldogs with some college experience, which will help him compete for playing time. He is already enrolled and on campus, ready to climb the depth chart.
