Walt Harris and Art Davis will become the eighth and ninth members of the MSU Football "Ring of Honor."
Walt Harris, Art Davis To Be Inducted Into MSU "Ring of Honor" November 17
October 12, 2018 | Football
by Bill Martin, Associate Athletic Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State football legends Walt Harris and Art Davis will become the newest inductees into the Bulldogs' "Ring of Honor" in a November 17 ceremony when MSU hosts Arkansas in Davis Wade Stadium.
Harris and Davis will become the eighth and ninth MSU legends enshrined in the "Ring of Honor" respectively, joining Johnie Cooks, Jack Cristil, Joe Fortunato, Kent Hull, D.D. Lewis, Tom "Shorty" McWilliams and Jackie Parker. Fortunato was inducted last October.
"Walt Harris and Art Davis are two of the greatest Bulldogs of all-time," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "Walt distinguished himself as one of the best cornerbacks in SEC history, while Art was a dynamic player who was ahead of his time. We are excited to honor these MSU Hall of Famers later this season."
Harris, one of the most prolific cornerbacks in SEC history, started 24 straight games for MSU from 1992-95 and set the school record for career interceptions with 16. He is tied for the record today. Harris tied the MSU career defensive touchdown record and set Bulldog single-season marks for interceptions in both 1993 and 1994 with six.
As a sophomore, the LaGrange, Georgia, native earned second-team All-SEC honors and started every game. Harris was an Associated Press and Coaches First-team All-SEC while starting every game at cornerback as junior. That season, he ranked third in the SEC and fifth in nation with six interceptions, led the team with 12 passes defended, and recovered two fumbles and blocked two kicks.
As a senior in 1995, he had four interceptions and eight passes defensed, played in the Senior Bowl, and was selected first-team All-SEC. Harris earned All-SEC honors in his final three seasons in Starkville.
Harris became the first NFL first-round draft choice for MSU in 13 years when he was selected 13th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1996 NFL Draft. He played 13 NFL seasons, including six seasons with the Bears. In 2006 as a San Francisco 49er, he led the squad in interceptions with a career-best eight. Harris was inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame in November 2017.
Davis, a Clarksdale native, etched his name into MSU and SEC lore as an elite two-way player from 1952-55. Davis starred as a two-time All-SEC halfback and defensive back for the Bulldogs, racking up 1,148 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and averaging 4.8 yards per play for his career.
In 1954, Davis was recognized as the SEC's Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Nashville Banner in addition to receiving All-SEC accolades. That season, he led the Bulldogs with 670 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, including four in State's 25-0 victory at LSU. He produced three rushing scores and returned an interception for a touchdown in the win against the Tigers.
As a senior in 1955, Davis was tabbed National Player of the Year and All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. Following his co-captain season, he was selected to play in the 1955 Blue-Gray Game and the 1956 Senior Bowl. He was the first round draft choice and the fifth overall pick of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Davis, whose NFL career was cut short due to a knee injury, was inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State football legends Walt Harris and Art Davis will become the newest inductees into the Bulldogs' "Ring of Honor" in a November 17 ceremony when MSU hosts Arkansas in Davis Wade Stadium.
Harris and Davis will become the eighth and ninth MSU legends enshrined in the "Ring of Honor" respectively, joining Johnie Cooks, Jack Cristil, Joe Fortunato, Kent Hull, D.D. Lewis, Tom "Shorty" McWilliams and Jackie Parker. Fortunato was inducted last October.
"Walt Harris and Art Davis are two of the greatest Bulldogs of all-time," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "Walt distinguished himself as one of the best cornerbacks in SEC history, while Art was a dynamic player who was ahead of his time. We are excited to honor these MSU Hall of Famers later this season."
Harris, one of the most prolific cornerbacks in SEC history, started 24 straight games for MSU from 1992-95 and set the school record for career interceptions with 16. He is tied for the record today. Harris tied the MSU career defensive touchdown record and set Bulldog single-season marks for interceptions in both 1993 and 1994 with six.
As a sophomore, the LaGrange, Georgia, native earned second-team All-SEC honors and started every game. Harris was an Associated Press and Coaches First-team All-SEC while starting every game at cornerback as junior. That season, he ranked third in the SEC and fifth in nation with six interceptions, led the team with 12 passes defended, and recovered two fumbles and blocked two kicks.
As a senior in 1995, he had four interceptions and eight passes defensed, played in the Senior Bowl, and was selected first-team All-SEC. Harris earned All-SEC honors in his final three seasons in Starkville.
Harris became the first NFL first-round draft choice for MSU in 13 years when he was selected 13th overall by the Chicago Bears in the 1996 NFL Draft. He played 13 NFL seasons, including six seasons with the Bears. In 2006 as a San Francisco 49er, he led the squad in interceptions with a career-best eight. Harris was inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame in November 2017.
Davis, a Clarksdale native, etched his name into MSU and SEC lore as an elite two-way player from 1952-55. Davis starred as a two-time All-SEC halfback and defensive back for the Bulldogs, racking up 1,148 rushing yards, 18 touchdowns and averaging 4.8 yards per play for his career.
In 1954, Davis was recognized as the SEC's Player of the Year by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and Nashville Banner in addition to receiving All-SEC accolades. That season, he led the Bulldogs with 670 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, including four in State's 25-0 victory at LSU. He produced three rushing scores and returned an interception for a touchdown in the win against the Tigers.
As a senior in 1955, Davis was tabbed National Player of the Year and All-American by the Football Writers Association of America. Following his co-captain season, he was selected to play in the 1955 Blue-Gray Game and the 1956 Senior Bowl. He was the first round draft choice and the fifth overall pick of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Davis, whose NFL career was cut short due to a knee injury, was inducted into the MSU Sports Hall of Fame in 1971 and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1981.
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