Jahron Manning, Malick Sylla practice at Mississippi State amid eligibility uncertainty

STARKVILLE — Jahron Manning and Malick Sylla were both at Mississippi State football practice on Aug. 14 as they attempt to join the team by getting an extra year of eligibility.

Neither players were in full pads but wore helmets, pants and cleats and participated in drills during the 25-minute viewing session for reporters.

Manning and Sylla rejoined the Bulldogs at the start of the week after a July 31 preliminary injunction was issued in Colorado that granted some high school class of 2022 players a fifth year of eligibility. However, the NCAA is appealing, and coach Jeff Lebby said on Aug. 11 that the two of them still were ineligible.

“With those two guys back in the building right now, there’s just not really anything else to say because they are not eligible,” Lebby said. “So, they’ve got to go through a process. They’re back in the building. We’ll see how it all plays out.”

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Mississippi State has not responded to a request for comment from the Clarion Ledger.

Manning, a safety, was Mississippi State’s leading tackler in 2025. He participated in Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp and played for the Indoor Football League for the Orlando Pirates. Players who signed professional contracts or redshirted were not granted an extra year of eligibility in the injunction.

Sylla, a linebacker, led MSU in tackles for loss last season but did not sign a professional contract.

Neither Manning nor Sylla are listed on Mississippi State’s online roster.

Mississippi State’s fall semester begins Aug. 19 with the season opener against Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 5 (6:30 p.m., ESPNU) at Davis Wade Stadium.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey issued a memo to SEC schools on Aug. 11 saying that current eligibility rules are unchanged, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein.

“Court filings and rulings related to the current NCAA eligibility landscape remain highly dynamic,” the memo said.

“As these various court proceedings continue, institutions should operate under existing NCAA rules, interpretations and applicable conference rules unless and until otherwise advised by the NCAA, the conference or a court order. Recent court rulings should not be interpreted as creating broader eligibility relief beyond the scope of the applicable orders.

“In addition, SEC eligibility rules, including those relating to interconference transfers, remain in effect until fully or individually waived, or the rule is changed.

“If your institution is presented with a fact-specific eligibility question, please coordinate with your compliance office and conference staff before acting or making commitments based on an assumption regarding an individual’s eligibility.

“We are actively evaluating these issues and monitoring developments, including ongoing court proceedings and any appeals. We will provide additional information as circumstances warrant.

“Please feel free to reach out directly to conference staff or me with questions.”

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.