Jordan Thomas helped the Texans to their sixth straight win with a touchdown grab at Denver on Sunday.
#FromStatetoSundays: Week Nine Update
November 06, 2018 | Football
by Taylor Shirey, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE - Week Nine of the NFL season has come to a close, and it is time to take a look at how the 18 former Bulldogs who have gone #FromStateToSundays fared.
It was another victory Sunday for the Houston Texans as the Bulldog trio of linebacker Benardrick McKinney, tight end Jordan Thomas and offensive lineman Martinas Rankin led the Texans to its sixth consecutive win.
Thomas was targeted just one time in Sunday's 19-17 win at Denver and reeled in a seven-yard touchdown reception, his third touchdown in his last three games. The rookie tight end has caught nine of his 14 targets and is averaging 14.1 yards per catch over his debut season. McKinney recorded seven tackles in the victory to bring his season total to 65, which ranks in the top 15 in the league.
Defensive back Darius Slay has another strong performance for the Detroit Lions, collecting three tackles and two pass break-ups. "Big Play" Slay lived up to his name as he thwarted a driving Minnesota offense by intercepting Kirk Cousins and returning the ball 21 yards.
Four the fifth consecutive game, defensive tackle Chris Jones has recorded a sack as he continues to cause havoc for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones recorded a season-high four tackles with three solo stops in Sunday's 37-21 victory at Cleveland.
Below is a list of former Mississippi State student-athletes who are currently with NFL teams. Please use the link to view season and career statistics from NFL.com.
* - 2017 Regular Starter
^ - 2017 Pro Bowl Selection
IR - Injured Reserved
# - Practice Squad
STARKVILLE - Week Nine of the NFL season has come to a close, and it is time to take a look at how the 18 former Bulldogs who have gone #FromStateToSundays fared.
It was another victory Sunday for the Houston Texans as the Bulldog trio of linebacker Benardrick McKinney, tight end Jordan Thomas and offensive lineman Martinas Rankin led the Texans to its sixth consecutive win.
Thomas was targeted just one time in Sunday's 19-17 win at Denver and reeled in a seven-yard touchdown reception, his third touchdown in his last three games. The rookie tight end has caught nine of his 14 targets and is averaging 14.1 yards per catch over his debut season. McKinney recorded seven tackles in the victory to bring his season total to 65, which ranks in the top 15 in the league.
Defensive back Darius Slay has another strong performance for the Detroit Lions, collecting three tackles and two pass break-ups. "Big Play" Slay lived up to his name as he thwarted a driving Minnesota offense by intercepting Kirk Cousins and returning the ball 21 yards.
Four the fifth consecutive game, defensive tackle Chris Jones has recorded a sack as he continues to cause havoc for the Kansas City Chiefs. Jones recorded a season-high four tackles with three solo stops in Sunday's 37-21 victory at Cleveland.
Below is a list of former Mississippi State student-athletes who are currently with NFL teams. Please use the link to view season and career statistics from NFL.com.
| NAME | AT MSU | TEAM | YEARS IN LEAGUE | POSITION | SEASON STATS | LAST WEEK |
| Denico Autry | 2012-13 | Indianapolis Colts | 5 | DE | 4 G, 3 GS, 15 TKL, 10 TT, 5 AST, 2.0 SCK | BYE Week. |
| Hunter Bradley | 2012-17 | Green Bay Packers | R | LS | 8 G | Saw action as long snapper at New England. |
| Brandon Bryant - # | 2014-17 | New York Jets | R | CB | -- | Member of Practice Squad. |
| Blaine Clausell | 2010-14 | Arizona Cardinals | 1 | OL | 2 G | BYE Week. |
| Logan Cooke | 2014-17 | Jacksonville Jaguars | R | P | 8 G, 37 Punts, 1,554 YDS, 42.0 AVG, LONG 61, IN20 18 | BYE Week. |
| Fletcher Cox*^ | 2009-11 | Philadelphia Eagles | 7 | DE | 8 G, 8 GS, 25 TKL, 17 TT, 8 AST, 4.0 SCK, 1 PDEF | BYE Week. |
| J.T. Gray | 2014-17 | New Orleans Saints | R | DB | 5 G, 2 TKL, 1 TT, 1 AST | Inactive during Week Nine. |
| Gabe Jackson* | 2009-13 | Oakland Raiders | 5 | OG | 8 G, 8 GS | Started at San Francisco. |
| Chris Jones* | 2013-15 | Kansas City Chiefs | 3 | DT | 9 G, 7 GS, 18 TKL, 16 TT, 2 AST, 5.0 SCK, 1 PDEF, 1 INT, 1 TD, 1 FF | Appeared in 37-21 victory at Cleveland, recording four tackles and a sack. |
| Kyle Love | 2006-09 | Carolina Panthers | 7 | DT | 8 G, 11 TKL, 7 TT, 4 AST, 1 PDEF, 2 FF | Collected a tackle in a 42-38 win over Tampa Bay. |
| Benardrick McKinney* | 2011-14 | Houston Texans | 4 | LB | 9 G, 9 GS, 65 TKL, 43 TT, 22 AST, 1.5 SCK, 2 PDEF | Started and recorded seven tackles in a 19-17 victory at Denver. |
| Pernell McPhee | 2009-10 | Washington Redskins | 8 | LB | 8 G, 4 TKL, 3 TT, 1 AST, 1 PDEF | Saw action versus Atlanta, collecting a tackle and a pass break-up. |
| Dak Prescott* | 2011-2015 | Dallas Cowboys | 3 | QB | 8 G, 8 GS, 149-237, 1,660 YDS, 10 TD, QBR 88.9, 42 ATT, 247 YDS, 2 TD | Threw 21 completions versus Tennessee for 243 yards and two touchdowns and added 11 yards on the ground. |
| Martinas Rankin | 2015-17 | Houston Texans | R | OL | 9 G, 3 GS | Appeared in a 19-17 victory at Denver. |
| Darius Slay*^ | 2011-12 | Detroit Lions | 6 | DB | 8 G, 8 GS, 22 TKL, 22 TT, 7 PDEF, 2 INT | Collected three tackles and two pass break-ups in a start at Minnesota while returning an interception for 21 yards. |
| Preston Smith* | 2011-14 | Washington Redskins | 4 | LB | 8 G, 8 GS 21 TKL, 13 TT, 8 AST, 2 PDEF |
Earned a start versus Atlanta and collected one tackle. |
| Jordan Thomas | 2016-17 | Houston Texans | R | TE | 9 G, 7 GS, 9 REC, 127 YDS, 3 TD | Started and caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in a 19-17 victory at Denver. |
| K.J. Wright* | 2007-2010 | Seattle Seahawks | 8 | LB | 2 G, 2 GS, 12 TKL, 10 TT, 2 AST, 2 PDEF | Collected seven tackles and a pass break-up in a start versus the Chargers. |
* - 2017 Regular Starter
^ - 2017 Pro Bowl Selection
IR - Injured Reserved
# - Practice Squad
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