For the first time in Mississippi State history, three Bulldogs earned spots on one of the three Associated Press All-America teams.
Three Bulldogs Featured on AP All-America Teams
December 10, 2018 | Football
by Brandon Langlois, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – For the first time in Mississippi State history, three Bulldogs earned spots on one of the three Associated Press All-America teams announced Monday.
Senior defensive end Montez Sweat was named to the second team, while junior defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and senior safety Johnathan Abram were selected to the third team.
This is the first time MSU has had an AP All-American since 2014 when linebacker Benardrick McKinney earned second-team honors.
Last week, Sweat earned second-team All-America honors from Sports Illustrated, Abram garnered second-team All-America status from both Sports Illustrated and The Athletic, and Simmons picked up second-team All-America acclaim from The Athletic.
One of college football's most feared edge rushers, Sweat turned in 11 sacks during the regular season, good for sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision and second in the Southeastern Conference. It was his second straight season with 10 or more sacks. Last year, he tied for the SEC lead with 10.5. Sweat racked up 40 total pressures in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus, which was the second most in the SEC among edge defenders. He tallied 51 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumbled en route to two SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week selections and two national defensive player of the week honors. He is listed at No. 24 on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Simmons, one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the country, closed the regular season with 59 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and four pass breakups. With a 91.1 overall defensive grade from PFF, Simmons ranked second among all interior defenders. Simmons' 14.5 tackles for loss ranked fourth in the SEC. A total of 45 of his 59 tackles came during conference play, which led all SEC defensive lineman. The Macon, Mississippi, native, was one of just four SEC defensive interior linemen with at least 15 hurries and four quarterback hits this season. He became one of only three players in the league with at least 12 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. Simmons won the C Spire Conerly Award on Nov. 27, which is presented to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi.
Both Sweat and Simmons were All-SEC choices by the AP last week for the second straight season.
A hard-hitting playmaker, Abram filled the stat sheet in his final year with the Bulldogs, racking up 93 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two interceptions, once forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Abram led all SEC safeties with a passer rating of 41.6 allowed over his 40 targets according to PFF. He was especially dominant in the month of November, recording 31 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, a pair of pass breakups, four hurries and a forced fumble. In his final game at Davis Wade Stadium against Arkansas, Abram tallied 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance. Abram is listed at No. 30 on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft.
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.
Mississippi State's 2018 Postseason All-America Honors
Johnathan Abram, Sr., S
The Athletic (second team)
Sports Illustrated (second team)
Associated Press (third team)
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
The Athletic (first team)
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
The Athletic (second team)
Associated Press (third team)
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
Sports Illustrated (second team)
Associated Press (second team)
2018 Associated Press All-America Teams
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Kyler Murray, junior, Oklahoma
Running backs — Jonathan Taylor, sophomore, Wisconsin; Darrell Henderson, junior, Memphis
Tackles — Jonah Williams, junior, Alabama; Mitch Hyatt, senior, Clemson
Guards — Beau Benzschawel, senior, Wisconsin; Bunchy Stallings, senior, Kentucky
Center — Garrett Bradbury, senior, North Carolina State
Tight end — Jace Sternberger, junior, Texas A&M
Wide receivers — Jerry Jeudy, sophomore, Alabama; Marquise Brown, junior, Oklahoma
All-purpose player — Rondale Moore, freshman, Purdue
Kicker — Andre Szmyt, freshman, Syracuse
Defense
Ends — Clelin Ferrell, junior, Clemson; Sutton Smith, junior, Northern Illinois
Tackles — Quinnen Williams, junior, Alabama; Christian Wilkins, senior, Clemson
Linebackers — Josh Allen, senior, Kentucky; Devin White, junior, LSU; Ben Burr-Kirven, senior, Washington
Cornerbacks — Deandre Baker, senior, Georgia; Julian Love, junior, Notre Dame
Safeties — Grant Delpit, sophomore, LSU; Deionte Thompson, junior, Alabama
Punter — Braden Mann, junior, Texas A&M
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Tua Tagovailoa, sophomore, Alabama
Running backs — Travis Etienne, sophomore, Clemson; Trayveon Williams, junior, Texas A&M
Tackles — Dalton Risner, senior, Kansas State; Andrew Thomas, sophomore, Georgia
Guards — Dru Samia, senior, Oklahoma; Michael Dieter, senior, Wisconsin
Center — Ross Piersbacher, senior, Alabama
Tight end — T.J, Hockenson, sophomore, Iowa
Wide receivers — Tylan Wallace, sophomore, Oklahoma State; Andy Isabella, senior, Massachusetts
All-purpose player — Greg Dortch, sophomore, Wake Forest
Kicker — Cole Tracy, senior, LSU
Defense
Ends — Montez Sweat, senior, Mississippi State; Jachai Polite, junior, Florida
Tackles — Jerry Tillery, senior, Notre Dame; Gerald Willis III, senior, Miami
Linebackers — Devin Bush, junior, Michigan; David Long Jr., junior, West Virginia; Joe Dineen, senior, Kansas
Cornerbacks — Greedy Williams, sophomore, LSU; Byron Murphy, sophomore, Washington
Safeties — Taylor Rapp, junior, Washington; Amani Hooker, junior, Iowa
Punter — Mitch Wishnowsky, senior, Utah
THIRD TEAM
Offense
Quarterbacks — Dwayne Haskins, sophomore, Ohio State
Running backs — Benny Snell, junior, Kentucky; Eno Benjamin, sophomore, Arizona State
Tackles — Andre Dillard, senior, Washington State; Cody Ford, junior, Oklahoma
Guards — Terrone Prescod, senior, North Carolina State; Chris Lindstrom, senior, Boston College
Center — Michael Jordan, junior, Ohio State
Tight end — Noah Fant, junior, Iowa
Wide Receivers — A.J. Brown, junior, Mississippi; David Sills IV, senior, West Virginia
All-purpose player — J.J. Taylor, sophomore, Arizona
Kicker — Matt Gay, senior, Utah
Defense
Ends — Chase Winovich, senior, Michigan; Jaylon Ferguson, senior, Louisiana Tech
Tackles — Jeffery Simmons, junior, Mississippi State; Ed Oliver, junior, Houston
Linebackers — Paddy Fisher, sophomore, Northwestern; David Woodward, sophomore, Utah State; Te'Von Coney, senior, Notre Dame
Cornerbacks — Hamp Cheevers, junior, Boston College; Lavert Hill, junior, Michigan
Safeties — Andre Cisco, freshman, Syracuse; Jonathan Abram, senior, Mississippi State
Punter — Jason Smith, sophomore, Cincinnati
STARKVILLE – For the first time in Mississippi State history, three Bulldogs earned spots on one of the three Associated Press All-America teams announced Monday.
Senior defensive end Montez Sweat was named to the second team, while junior defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and senior safety Johnathan Abram were selected to the third team.
This is the first time MSU has had an AP All-American since 2014 when linebacker Benardrick McKinney earned second-team honors.
Last week, Sweat earned second-team All-America honors from Sports Illustrated, Abram garnered second-team All-America status from both Sports Illustrated and The Athletic, and Simmons picked up second-team All-America acclaim from The Athletic.
One of college football's most feared edge rushers, Sweat turned in 11 sacks during the regular season, good for sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision and second in the Southeastern Conference. It was his second straight season with 10 or more sacks. Last year, he tied for the SEC lead with 10.5. Sweat racked up 40 total pressures in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus, which was the second most in the SEC among edge defenders. He tallied 51 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumbled en route to two SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week selections and two national defensive player of the week honors. He is listed at No. 24 on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft.
Simmons, one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in the country, closed the regular season with 59 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and four pass breakups. With a 91.1 overall defensive grade from PFF, Simmons ranked second among all interior defenders. Simmons' 14.5 tackles for loss ranked fourth in the SEC. A total of 45 of his 59 tackles came during conference play, which led all SEC defensive lineman. The Macon, Mississippi, native, was one of just four SEC defensive interior linemen with at least 15 hurries and four quarterback hits this season. He became one of only three players in the league with at least 12 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. Simmons won the C Spire Conerly Award on Nov. 27, which is presented to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi.
Both Sweat and Simmons were All-SEC choices by the AP last week for the second straight season.
A hard-hitting playmaker, Abram filled the stat sheet in his final year with the Bulldogs, racking up 93 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two interceptions, once forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Abram led all SEC safeties with a passer rating of 41.6 allowed over his 40 targets according to PFF. He was especially dominant in the month of November, recording 31 total tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, a pair of pass breakups, four hurries and a forced fumble. In his final game at Davis Wade Stadium against Arkansas, Abram tallied 12 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble and earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance. Abram is listed at No. 30 on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft.
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.
Mississippi State's 2018 Postseason All-America Honors
Johnathan Abram, Sr., S
The Athletic (second team)
Sports Illustrated (second team)
Associated Press (third team)
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
The Athletic (first team)
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
The Athletic (second team)
Associated Press (third team)
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
Sports Illustrated (second team)
Associated Press (second team)
2018 Associated Press All-America Teams
FIRST TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Kyler Murray, junior, Oklahoma
Running backs — Jonathan Taylor, sophomore, Wisconsin; Darrell Henderson, junior, Memphis
Tackles — Jonah Williams, junior, Alabama; Mitch Hyatt, senior, Clemson
Guards — Beau Benzschawel, senior, Wisconsin; Bunchy Stallings, senior, Kentucky
Center — Garrett Bradbury, senior, North Carolina State
Tight end — Jace Sternberger, junior, Texas A&M
Wide receivers — Jerry Jeudy, sophomore, Alabama; Marquise Brown, junior, Oklahoma
All-purpose player — Rondale Moore, freshman, Purdue
Kicker — Andre Szmyt, freshman, Syracuse
Defense
Ends — Clelin Ferrell, junior, Clemson; Sutton Smith, junior, Northern Illinois
Tackles — Quinnen Williams, junior, Alabama; Christian Wilkins, senior, Clemson
Linebackers — Josh Allen, senior, Kentucky; Devin White, junior, LSU; Ben Burr-Kirven, senior, Washington
Cornerbacks — Deandre Baker, senior, Georgia; Julian Love, junior, Notre Dame
Safeties — Grant Delpit, sophomore, LSU; Deionte Thompson, junior, Alabama
Punter — Braden Mann, junior, Texas A&M
SECOND TEAM
Offense
Quarterback — Tua Tagovailoa, sophomore, Alabama
Running backs — Travis Etienne, sophomore, Clemson; Trayveon Williams, junior, Texas A&M
Tackles — Dalton Risner, senior, Kansas State; Andrew Thomas, sophomore, Georgia
Guards — Dru Samia, senior, Oklahoma; Michael Dieter, senior, Wisconsin
Center — Ross Piersbacher, senior, Alabama
Tight end — T.J, Hockenson, sophomore, Iowa
Wide receivers — Tylan Wallace, sophomore, Oklahoma State; Andy Isabella, senior, Massachusetts
All-purpose player — Greg Dortch, sophomore, Wake Forest
Kicker — Cole Tracy, senior, LSU
Defense
Ends — Montez Sweat, senior, Mississippi State; Jachai Polite, junior, Florida
Tackles — Jerry Tillery, senior, Notre Dame; Gerald Willis III, senior, Miami
Linebackers — Devin Bush, junior, Michigan; David Long Jr., junior, West Virginia; Joe Dineen, senior, Kansas
Cornerbacks — Greedy Williams, sophomore, LSU; Byron Murphy, sophomore, Washington
Safeties — Taylor Rapp, junior, Washington; Amani Hooker, junior, Iowa
Punter — Mitch Wishnowsky, senior, Utah
THIRD TEAM
Offense
Quarterbacks — Dwayne Haskins, sophomore, Ohio State
Running backs — Benny Snell, junior, Kentucky; Eno Benjamin, sophomore, Arizona State
Tackles — Andre Dillard, senior, Washington State; Cody Ford, junior, Oklahoma
Guards — Terrone Prescod, senior, North Carolina State; Chris Lindstrom, senior, Boston College
Center — Michael Jordan, junior, Ohio State
Tight end — Noah Fant, junior, Iowa
Wide Receivers — A.J. Brown, junior, Mississippi; David Sills IV, senior, West Virginia
All-purpose player — J.J. Taylor, sophomore, Arizona
Kicker — Matt Gay, senior, Utah
Defense
Ends — Chase Winovich, senior, Michigan; Jaylon Ferguson, senior, Louisiana Tech
Tackles — Jeffery Simmons, junior, Mississippi State; Ed Oliver, junior, Houston
Linebackers — Paddy Fisher, sophomore, Northwestern; David Woodward, sophomore, Utah State; Te'Von Coney, senior, Notre Dame
Cornerbacks — Hamp Cheevers, junior, Boston College; Lavert Hill, junior, Michigan
Safeties — Andre Cisco, freshman, Syracuse; Jonathan Abram, senior, Mississippi State
Punter — Jason Smith, sophomore, Cincinnati
Players Mentioned
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OL
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DT
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DE
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