Oklahoma transfer Brenen Thompson experiencing smooth transition to State’s program

Spending the past two seasons at Oklahoma, new Mississippi State receiver and rising senior Brenen Thompson was well-acquainted with Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby.

Thompson played for Lebby in the 2023 season when Lebby was Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator and totaled 26 catches for 471 yards and four touchdowns the past two seasons. Naturally, Thompson had a good idea of Lebby’s system and that played a major role in his college decision once he entered the transfer portal.

Recently, Thompson talked of that relationship in his first interview with the media since arriving at Mississippi State:

Q: What have the first few spring practices been like for you?
Thompson: It’s been amazing. The energy has been high, guys have been flying. So it’s been good.

Q: You already had that connection with Jeff Lebby when you were at Oklahoma. What’s that relationship like?
Thompson: It was good at OU. It’s always been good. But obviously coming here, just the trust and the love that we have for each other is unreal. And I’m excited to play for him.

Q: What receivers positions do they have you working at?
Thompson: Pretty much I’m outside right now. But as we get into it, I’m sure I’ll be kind of playing everywhere.

Q: What’s it like learning a new system with new quarterbacks?
Thompson: The system for me is pretty much the same from the last three years. But of course with the new quarterback comes new timing, especially with new guys. So it’s just getting the timing down is important and that’s what we’re really working on right now in the spring.

Q: Take us through the quarterbacks and how they deliver the ball.
Thompson: They’re all amazing. All of them can sling it. Lebby does a good job about getting the right guys in the building and he’s done that and I’m excited to see them grow.”

Q: You mentioned the trust factor with Lebby. How big of a factor was his style of offense when you were in the transfer portal?
Thompson: It was huge. It was everything. Just like I said, having the trust between each other along with Coach Bump (Chad Bumphis), Coach (Benton) Duby and the rest of the wideouts in the room. I’m excited, it’s going to be good.

Q: Yourself and Blake Shapen are former Big 12 players. What’s that like being here now?
Thompson: Play the best. You know, you play the best if you’re going to beat the best. So it’s just fun. Of course, I was at OU last year and still in the SEC and Blake was here. So it’s just getting the relationship built with him and the rest of the quarterbacks is going to be huge going into the spring and summer, and of course into the fall. So I’m just excited to get to know him better and to express love on the field and off the field, and go attack it.

Q: What’s been your early impressions of Starkville and Mississippi State?
Thompson: So I’m from Sherman, Texas. It’s actually smaller than this. So I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve done a lot of hunting, a lot of fishing and it’s been fun.

Q: How is Jeff Lebby different as a head coach compared to an offensive coordinator?
Thompson: Yeah, he’s definitely got some more up to him. Definitely as an OC and a head job, there’s obviously some difference there. He’s done a great job and I’ve got full respect and full trust in him that he is going get the job done.

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