Media day magic: on the day before the Duke's Mayo Bowl, players from Mississippi State and Wake Forest share thoughts on the game and beyond

What a way to start your new year.

On January 1, 2026 while others may be resting from the festivities of the evening before, on a cool, clear, and sunny morning at 10am EST, we have the pleasure of communing with fellow members of the media and more importantly, members from both the Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-7 overall/1-7 in the SEC/tied for 13th place in the conference) and Wake Forest Demon Deacons (8-4 overall/4-4 in the ACC/tied for 7th place in the conference) are gearing up for their matchup in the Duke's Mayo Bowl played at Bank of America Stadium (the home of the Carolina Panthers) in Charlotte, NC (January 2, 2026/8pm EST kickoff televised on ESPN).

While diving in on the stats and matchups is par for the course, media day provides an opportunity for all outlets (ourselves included) to not only speak to the game and season, but some wider-ranging topics which go far beyond the game.

During our time at the Charlotte Convention Center, we're fortunate to catch the following personnel prior to their departure for the next order of business on their schedule as they do their final preparation for the primetime bowl game (in the order we interview them along with the order in the photo-grid going left to right starting from the top):

• Nick Anderson (Wake Forest safety and team captain).

• Devin Kylany (Wake Forest offensive lineman).

• Nic Mitchell (Mississippi State linebacker).

• Brenan Thompson (Mississippi State wide receiver).

• Langston Hardy (Wake Forest defensive lineman).

• Kemario Taylor (Mississippi State quarterback).

• Jacoby Jackson (Mississippi State offensive lineman).

• Carlos Hernandez (Wake Forest wide receiver).

For a number of the players, today is a moment to pause and reflect. For some, it's about looking at where they started this season (i.e. spring practice and related workouts) and the cumulative result of reaching a bowl game. Others note the individual and collective hurdles to clear just to get here.

By the same token, in taking in the bowl game experience which includes (but is not limited to) a one-of-a-kind experience at the Charlotte Motor Speedway to a service project to help provide meals to youth in Charlotte area schools in need, the time leading up to the game provides a sense of balance and perspective for all.

Two players whose interviews encompass the aforementioned experience include our time with Jacoby Jackson and Carlos Hernandez (as the others are forthcoming). To truly capture the makeup of the team along with individual and collective hurdles to clear, we invite you to enjoy their full interviews:

Mississippi State offensive linesman Jacoby Jackson provides tremendous perspective on the season.

Wake's Carlos Hernandez notes how getting back to the basics helps across the board.

Again, both teams have their share of hurdles to clear in order to get here, but they are here (you may watch the previews of the remaining interviews below):

And both are prepared and eager to "finish the drill" and setting the stage for a highly competitive prime-time matchup to enter the first weekend of 2026.

Note: We're continuing the update our playlist (click HERE to view) with all of the full player interviews; we thank you for your patience as we prepare for covering the bowl game.