Shawn Preston isn’t leaving Starkville just yet.

The Mississippi State safety announced via Twitter Wednesday that he would be returning to the Bulldogs for a 6th and final season. Preston mentioned in the tweet: “Let’s get to work. #HailState”.

A 3-year starter for the Bulldogs, Preston finished with 27 tackles, 2 pass breakups and an interception in 2022. For his career, he’s played in 41 games and recorded 145 total tackles, 9 pass deflections and a pair of interceptions. His best season came in 2020, when he finished with 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 4 pass deflections.

https://twitter.com/Savage7even/status/1613279777502232577?s=20&t=3QPivN2SyFQaOJntie0kIw

The Bulldogs finished 42nd nationally in pass coverage under defensive coordinator Zach Arnett, allowing opponents to average 210.3 yards per game. MSU allowed 15 touchdowns in coverage, but did total 14 interceptions in return.

Mississippi State is expected to lose starters Jalen Green and Jackie Matthews due to eligibility and Collin Ducan to the NFL Draft. The return of Preston should benefit Arnett as he makes the jump from coordinator to head coach.

Arnett was named Mike Leach’s successor prior to the Bulldogs’ 19-10 ReliaQuest Bowl triumph against Illinois. Leach, 1 of college football’s legends, passed away at the age of 61 last month due to complications related to a heart condition.