Portal Pickups Play Major Role
December 03, 2025 | Soccer
STARKVILLE – The transfer portal provided a new path for a pair of Bulldogs this fall. Kyra Taylor and Hannah Jibril made the jump to the SEC in 2025, and the duo took full advantage of the opportunities ahead of them.
Both players started every match at their new home and played more minutes than in any prior year of their career while filling critical roles for a Bulldog squad that climbed as high as No. 12 in the national rankings this year.
Coming to Mississippi State gave them a chance to challenge themselves and take the next step in their development. It's been a learning process, from a mental standpoint as well as the tactical and technical skills on the soccer field.
"I have coaches who are going to constantly support me and try to help me to improve and teach me things, so that I can become a better player and person," Taylor said. "I feel like I really got that here."
When it came to learning, Jibril's journey had an added twist. After two years playing as a forward for NC State and spending the spring at the same spot in Starkville, the Bulldog coaching staff made the decision to experiment with a change. They slid her back to become a centerback.
"I trusted [head coach] Nick [Zimmerman], and I was like, 'Well, he's putting me there because he sees something in me or sees something I can give to the possession,'" Jibril said. "I was like, 'I'm going to do it, and I'm going to attack it.'"
Attack it she did. Jibril quickly established herself on the back line and put together a highlight reel of sliding tackles to shut down dangerous chances for the opposition.
"I had to build that trust with myself," she said. "The coaches trust me to be here, so I have to trust myself and my own abilities. Although positions are different, soccer's the same game at the end of the day. I think it's honestly been an amazing process."
To say the experiment with Jibril at defender was a success would be an understatement. She landed Third Team All-SEC honors and led her new team in minutes played with 1,684 out of a possible 1,800. Entering the year, she'd never played more than 650 in a season.
Beyond the field, the fit may have mattered even more. When looking at her possible destinations, Taylor found what she was looking for in Starkville.
"I just really wanted a team where I can have a lot of support around me," Taylor said. "I wanted teammates who have the same mindset as me, just wanting to work hard every day and improve every single day."
With their first year in Maroon and White now behind them, Taylor and Jibril now turn their focus to another chance to learn and grow over the spring. After all, that was when Jibril's journey took such step forward a year ago.
New players will join the fold, whether they be freshman signees or additional portal pickups taking their first steps down a path the pair has already walked. Jibril and Taylor will be there for their teammates either way and use the experience they gained in 2025 to make sure everyone keeps climbing in 2026.
Both players started every match at their new home and played more minutes than in any prior year of their career while filling critical roles for a Bulldog squad that climbed as high as No. 12 in the national rankings this year.
Coming to Mississippi State gave them a chance to challenge themselves and take the next step in their development. It's been a learning process, from a mental standpoint as well as the tactical and technical skills on the soccer field.
"I have coaches who are going to constantly support me and try to help me to improve and teach me things, so that I can become a better player and person," Taylor said. "I feel like I really got that here."
When it came to learning, Jibril's journey had an added twist. After two years playing as a forward for NC State and spending the spring at the same spot in Starkville, the Bulldog coaching staff made the decision to experiment with a change. They slid her back to become a centerback.
"I trusted [head coach] Nick [Zimmerman], and I was like, 'Well, he's putting me there because he sees something in me or sees something I can give to the possession,'" Jibril said. "I was like, 'I'm going to do it, and I'm going to attack it.'"
Attack it she did. Jibril quickly established herself on the back line and put together a highlight reel of sliding tackles to shut down dangerous chances for the opposition.
"I had to build that trust with myself," she said. "The coaches trust me to be here, so I have to trust myself and my own abilities. Although positions are different, soccer's the same game at the end of the day. I think it's honestly been an amazing process."
To say the experiment with Jibril at defender was a success would be an understatement. She landed Third Team All-SEC honors and led her new team in minutes played with 1,684 out of a possible 1,800. Entering the year, she'd never played more than 650 in a season.
Beyond the field, the fit may have mattered even more. When looking at her possible destinations, Taylor found what she was looking for in Starkville.
"I just really wanted a team where I can have a lot of support around me," Taylor said. "I wanted teammates who have the same mindset as me, just wanting to work hard every day and improve every single day."
With their first year in Maroon and White now behind them, Taylor and Jibril now turn their focus to another chance to learn and grow over the spring. After all, that was when Jibril's journey took such step forward a year ago.
New players will join the fold, whether they be freshman signees or additional portal pickups taking their first steps down a path the pair has already walked. Jibril and Taylor will be there for their teammates either way and use the experience they gained in 2025 to make sure everyone keeps climbing in 2026.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Soccer
F
/ SoccerSOCCER | Lipscomb Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Players Press Conference vs. Lipscomb
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman and Zoe Main Media Session
Saturday, November 15
SOCCER | Nick Zimmerman Media Session
Monday, November 10