Mississippi State University has named its 2026 Homecoming Court, selecting seniors J.J. Latham of Madison and Annie Long of Nesbit as this year’s Homecoming King and Queen. The university’s official newsroom, msstate.edu, reported that the full court will be presented to the public during halftime of the football game against Vanderbilt University on Nov. 7.
The 2026 cohort represents a wide cross-section of disciplines, ranging from social work and interdisciplinary studies to the highly technical fields of aerospace engineering and biochemistry.
The 2026 Bulldog Royalty
The top honors for the 2026 cycle go to J.J. Latham and Annie Long. Latham, hailing from Madison, is pursuing a degree in social work, while Long, from Nesbit, is an interdisciplinary studies major. Joining them in the primary spotlight are the university’s designated “Mr. and Miss MSU.” Jacob Moore, a senior accounting major from New Albany, takes the title of Mr. MSU, and Madelyn Berry, a senior aerospace engineering major specializing in aeronautics from Brandon, is Miss MSU.
Science Majors Dominate 2026 Homecoming Court Selections
The broader Homecoming Court is structured to ensure every undergraduate class has a voice. Each year is represented by two maids, creating a pipeline of representation from freshmen to seniors. The 2026 selections show a heavy concentration in the sciences, particularly in pre-medical and pre-veterinary tracks.
- Seniors: Gabrielle Boulay (Accounting, Franklin, TN) and Hannah Pearce (Accounting, Bossier City, LA).
- Juniors: Jill Kubat (Chemistry/Pre-med, Omaha, NE) and Madeline Montgomery (Biochemistry/Pre-dental, Starkville, MS).
- Sophomores: Katherine Kennedy (Biochemistry/Pre-med and Foreign Language/Spanish, Magee, MS) and Anna Bowen Webster (Chemistry and Biochemistry/Pre-vet, Starkville, MS).
- Freshmen: Lily Blevins (Animal and Dairy Science/Pre-vet, Flat Rock, AL) and Crosby Taylor (Mechanical Engineering, Starkville, MS).
The geographic spread of the court is equally telling. While Starkville remains a hub, the 2026 court pulls students from as far as Omaha, Nebraska, and Bossier City, Louisiana.
The ‘No Place Like State’ Calendar
The announcement kicks off a week of high-visibility events under the theme “There’s No Place Like State.” The festivities are scheduled to run from Nov. 1 through Nov. 8. These activities are designed to build momentum leading up to the “MSU Gameday” climax.
The schedule culminates on Nov. 7, when the court will take the field at halftime during the Vanderbilt game.
The full court includes Lily Blevins, Anna Bowen Webster, Jill Kubat, Gabrielle Boulay, Madelyn Berry, J.J. Latham, Annie Long, Jacob Moore, Hannah Pearce, Madeline Montgomery, Katherine Kennedy, and Crosby Taylor.
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