Fitzgerald and Rankin were also named Preseason All-SEC second team by members of the media at SEC Football Media Days in July.
Fitzgerald, Rankin Each Earn Preseason Second Team Coaches All-SEC Honors
August 23, 2017 | Football
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald and offensive lineman Martinas Rankin were each selected to the preseason All-Southeastern Conference second team, the league announced Wednesday. The preseason list is voted on by the league's 14 head coaches.
The duo of Fitzgerald and Rankin were also named Preseason All-SEC second team by members of the media at SEC Football Media Days in July.
Under the guidance of head coach Dan Mullen, this marks the third time in four seasons a Bulldog quarterback has been on the list. NFL offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott was voted third team in 2014 and first team in 2015.
Fitzgerald broke nine school records during his sophomore campaign in 2016. He also set two SEC records while leading the conference in total offense at 3,798 yards. His eight 100-yard rushing performances last season were the most by a quarterback in SEC history, and he also broke the SEC record for a signal caller with an average of 7.1 yards per rush. Fitzgerald is the only returning SEC signal caller to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards last season.
Fitzgerald was twice named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week during the year, and capped his stellar sophomore season earning MVP honors in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Entering his junior season, Fitzgerald finds himself on the Manning Award, Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch lists.
Rankin, who is projected by many to be a first round draft pick in 2018, can play all positions but saw all of his action in 2016 at tackle. Rankin came to MSU as the nation's top rated junior college offensive lineman in 2015, but redshirted during his first year on campus. He earned 10 starts last season and played in all 13 of the Bulldogs' games in 2016.
Rankin was MSU's most dominant offensive lineman last season, playing a total of 857 snaps.
The Bulldogs will open the 2017 season on Saturday, Sept. 3 at home in Davis Wade Stadium against Charleston Southern at 3 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2017 Preseason Honors
Logan Cooke, P, Sr.
Ray Guy Award Watch List
Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Jr.
Manning Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
Second-Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media)
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Gabe Myles, WR, Sr.
Wuerffel Award Watch List
AFCA Good Works Team
Martinas Rankin, OL, Sr.
Second-Team All-American (College Football News)
Second-Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media, AL.com
Jeffery Simmons, DL, So.
Second-Team All-SEC (Athlon Sports)
Aeris Williams, RB, Jr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
The duo of Fitzgerald and Rankin were also named Preseason All-SEC second team by members of the media at SEC Football Media Days in July.
Under the guidance of head coach Dan Mullen, this marks the third time in four seasons a Bulldog quarterback has been on the list. NFL offensive Rookie of the Year Dak Prescott was voted third team in 2014 and first team in 2015.
Fitzgerald broke nine school records during his sophomore campaign in 2016. He also set two SEC records while leading the conference in total offense at 3,798 yards. His eight 100-yard rushing performances last season were the most by a quarterback in SEC history, and he also broke the SEC record for a signal caller with an average of 7.1 yards per rush. Fitzgerald is the only returning SEC signal caller to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards last season.
Fitzgerald was twice named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week during the year, and capped his stellar sophomore season earning MVP honors in the St. Petersburg Bowl. Entering his junior season, Fitzgerald finds himself on the Manning Award, Maxwell Award, Davey O'Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch lists.
Rankin, who is projected by many to be a first round draft pick in 2018, can play all positions but saw all of his action in 2016 at tackle. Rankin came to MSU as the nation's top rated junior college offensive lineman in 2015, but redshirted during his first year on campus. He earned 10 starts last season and played in all 13 of the Bulldogs' games in 2016.
Rankin was MSU's most dominant offensive lineman last season, playing a total of 857 snaps.
The Bulldogs will open the 2017 season on Saturday, Sept. 3 at home in Davis Wade Stadium against Charleston Southern at 3 p.m. CT on SEC Network.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow the MSU football team on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB." All-access coverage is also available on SnapChat by searching for "HailStateSnap."
2017 Preseason Honors
Logan Cooke, P, Sr.
Ray Guy Award Watch List
Nick Fitzgerald, QB, Jr.
Manning Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
Second-Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media)
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Gabe Myles, WR, Sr.
Wuerffel Award Watch List
AFCA Good Works Team
Martinas Rankin, OL, Sr.
Second-Team All-American (College Football News)
Second-Team All-SEC (Coaches, Media, AL.com
Jeffery Simmons, DL, So.
Second-Team All-SEC (Athlon Sports)
Aeris Williams, RB, Jr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
P/K
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DL
/ Football
RB
/ FootballFOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Thursday, April 16
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kamario Taylor
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Kelley Jones
Saturday, April 11
FOOTBALL | 2026 Spring Practice Media Session - Jeff Lebby
Saturday, April 11