Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsWednesday, August 5, 2026

Former Mississippi State RB Dillon Johnson enters the transfer portal in epic way

Johnson accused Bulldogs HC Mike Leach of being glad Johnson was leaving

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 24 Mississippi State at Ole Miss
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: NOV 24 Mississippi State at Ole Miss
Photo by Chris McDill/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The introduction of the transfer portal in college football has helped with player movement and empowerment. The ability for players to move from one school to another has, as a whole, been a good thing for college athletes.

There are occasions where coaches often push players into the portal, for both good and bad reasons. Former Mississippi State RB Dillon Johnson, who ran for 488 yards with the Bulldogs, entered the transfer portal on Dec. 7 and had some rather interesting words to say about Mike Leach in his announcement.

The part that really stands out here is the middle section where Johnson says, “With that being said, since I am not very tough, and Leach is glad I’m leaving, I will be entering my name into the transfer portal.”

YEESH.

Apparently Leach said this word for word. Someone recorded him doing it, and leaked the audio about 24 hours after Johnson’s announcement went viral.

This probably isn’t an uncommon thing to be said when players transfer away from programs, but it is interesting when it comes to Mike Leach and Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have had five players enter the transfer portal since the regular season ended, including wide receiver RaRa Thomas and offensive lineman Reed Buys. Johnson and Thomas are both interesting, because they played major roles on a Mississippi State offense that went 8-4.

Either way it goes, good on Johnson for saying exactly why he was transferring in his announcement. Most of the times players say something like “change of scenery”, but Johnson is fine and capable of naming Leach as one of the main reasons why he’s leaving. It makes the transfer announcements better.

College Football
College football’s 20 best transfers of the 2026 seasonCollege football’s 20 best transfers of the 2026 season
College Football

20 transfers that will define the 2020 college football season.

By Mark Schofield
College Football
North Dakota State’s college football dynasty finally reaches the big leaguesNorth Dakota State’s college football dynasty finally reaches the big leagues
College Football

North Dakota State dominated FCS college football. Can it work in the Mountain West?

By Mark Schofield
College Football
Heisman Trophy rankings: Predicting college football’s top contenders for 2026Heisman Trophy rankings: Predicting college football’s top contenders for 2026
College Football

College football’s long list of Heisman Trophy candidates entering 2026 season

By Mark Schofield
College Football
College Football Reacts: Are patch deals ok for the game?College Football Reacts: Are patch deals ok for the game?
College Football

Let us know how you feel about the takeover of patch deals in college football

By Kyle Thele
College Football
College football rankings: Preseason top-25 teams, according to usCollege football rankings: Preseason top-25 teams, according to us
College Football

Here’s our top-25 teams in college football.

By Mark Schofield
NFL Draft beat
How NFL-ready is Arch Manning?How NFL-ready is Arch Manning?
NFL Draft beat

Arch Manning is the presumptive QB1 in the 2027 draft class that’s supposed to be generational. What does he need to improve in order to make that a reality?

By Doug Farrar

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...