Johnathan Abram earned his fourth All-America honor Tuesday.
Abram, Sweat Add More All-America Honors
December 11, 2018 | Football
by Brandon Langlois, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Johnathan Abram and Montez Sweat of Mississippi State added more All-America honors to their postseason awards lists Tuesday when Sporting News and CBS Sports released their All-America teams.
Sporting News named Sweat to its first team, while CBS Sports selected both Sweat and Abram to its second team.
One of the most feared edge rushers in college football, Sweat became MSU's first first-team All-America selection by Sporting News since cornerback Fred Smoot in 2000.
This is Sweat's fifth All-America honor in 2018 and the fourth for Abram. Sweat's other All-America honors have come from the Football Writers Association of America (first team), Sports Illustrated (second team) and The Associated Press (second team). Abram's other All-America selections include The Athletic (second team), Sports Illustrated (second team) and The Associated Press (third team).
Sweat had 11 sacks on the season, tied for sixth in the nation and second in the Southeastern Conference, giving him double-digit sacks for the second straight year after registering an SEC-tying best 10.5 in 2017. He ranks sixth in MSU history in career sacks with 21.5 and owns the seventh and eighth spots in the Bulldogs' single-season top 10. Sweat is the No. 24 player on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft. He also turned in 51 total tackles, including 13.5 for loss, and racked up 40 total pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
A tough, physical playmaker who is listed at No. 30 on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft, Abram filled the stat sheet in his final year in Starkville, recording 93 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He also led all SEC safeties with a passer rating of 41.6 allowed over his 40 targets according to PFF.
Both Sweat and Abram were first-team All-SEC choices by the AP and helped the Bulldogs' defensive unit finish the regular season ranked No. 1 in the FBS in scoring defense (12.0), fewest touchdowns allowed (12), yards per play allowed (4.14), pass efficiency defense (97.26), red-zone touchdown percentage (25.0) and fewest 50+ yard plays allowed (0). MSU was the only school in the nation to rank inside the top 10 in the FBS in scoring defense (1st – 12.0), rushing defense (10th – 104.25), passing defense (6th – 164.2) and total defense (3rd – 268.4).
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)
CBS Sports (second 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)
Football Writers Association of America (first team)
Sporting News (first team)
CBS Sports (second team)
2018 Sporting News All-America Teams
First Team
Offense
QB – Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
RB – Travis Etienne, Clemson
RB – Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
WR – Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
WR – Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
TE – Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
OT – Jonah Williams, Alabama
OT – Dalton Risner, Kansas State
C – Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
G – Ben Powers, Oklahoma
G – Terronne Prescod, N.C. State
ATH – Darrell Henderson, Memphis
Defense
DL – Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
DL – Christian Wilkins, Clemson
DL – Quinnen Williams, Alabama
DL – Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
LB – Josh Allen, Kentucky
LB – Devin Bush, Michigan
LB – Devin White, LSU
CB – Deandre Baker, Georgia
CB – Julian Love, Notre Dame
S – Deionte Thompson, Alabama
S – Grant Delpit, LSU
Special Teams
K – Andre Szmyt, Syracuse
P – Braden Mann, Texas A&M
RET – Isaiah Wright, Temple
Second Team
Offense
QB – Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
RB – Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
RB – Devin Singletary, FAU
WR – Andy Isabella, Massachusetts
WR – Preston Williams, Colorado State
TE – Caleb Wilson, UCLA
T – Greg Little, Ole Miss
T – Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
C – Garrett Bradbury, N.C. State
G – Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
G – Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
ATH – Rondale Moore, Purdue
Defense
DL – Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
DL – Ed Oliver, Houston
DL – Kenny Willekes, Michigan Sate
DL – Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
LB – Chase Hansen, Utah
LB – Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
LB – Joe Dineen, Kansas
CB – Byron Murphy, Washington
CB – Greedy Williams, LSU
S – Andre Cisco, Syracuse
S – Taylor Rapp, Washington
Special Teams
K – Cole Tracy, LSU
P – Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State
RET – Michael Walker, Boston College
2018 CBS Sports All-America Teams
FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB – Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
RB – Darrell Henderson, Memphis
RB – Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
WR – Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
WR – Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
TE – Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
C – Michael Jordan, Ohio State
OL – Jonah Williams, Alabama
OL – Andrew Thomas, Georgia
OL – Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
OL – Dalton Risner, Kansas State
Defense
DL – Quinnen Williams*, Alabama
DL – Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
DL – Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
DL – Ed Oliver, Houston
LB – Josh Allen*, Kentucky
LB – Devin White, LSU
LB – Devin Bush, Michigan
CB – Deandre Baker, Georgia
CB – Greedy Williams, LSU
S – Grant Delpit*, LSU
S – Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Special Teams
K – Andre Szmyt, Syracuse
P – Braden Mann*, Texas A&M
KR – Savon Scarver, Utah State
PR – Greg Dortch, Wake Forest
AP – Rondale Moore*, Purdue
SECOND TEAM
Offense
QB – Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
RB – Travis Etienne, Clemson
RB – Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
WR – Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
WR – Andy Isabella, UMass
TE – Caleb Wilson, UCLA
C – Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
OL – Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
OL – Dru Samia, Oklahoma
OL – Ben Powers, Oklahoma
OL – Andre Dillard, Washington State
Defense
DL – Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
DL – Jachai Polite, Florida
DL – Christian Wilkins, Clemson
DL – Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
LB – Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
LB – Chase Hansen, Utah
LB – Te'Von Coney, Notre Dame
CB – Julian Love, Notre Dame
CB – Hamp Cheevers, Boston College
S – Taylor Rapp, Washington
S – Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Special Teams
K – Cole Tracy, LSU
P – Mitch Wishnowski, Utah
KR – Maurice Ffrench, Pittsburgh
PR – Mecole Hardman, Georgia
AP – Michael Walker, Boston College
STARKVILLE – Johnathan Abram and Montez Sweat of Mississippi State added more All-America honors to their postseason awards lists Tuesday when Sporting News and CBS Sports released their All-America teams.
Sporting News named Sweat to its first team, while CBS Sports selected both Sweat and Abram to its second team.
One of the most feared edge rushers in college football, Sweat became MSU's first first-team All-America selection by Sporting News since cornerback Fred Smoot in 2000.
This is Sweat's fifth All-America honor in 2018 and the fourth for Abram. Sweat's other All-America honors have come from the Football Writers Association of America (first team), Sports Illustrated (second team) and The Associated Press (second team). Abram's other All-America selections include The Athletic (second team), Sports Illustrated (second team) and The Associated Press (third team).
Sweat had 11 sacks on the season, tied for sixth in the nation and second in the Southeastern Conference, giving him double-digit sacks for the second straight year after registering an SEC-tying best 10.5 in 2017. He ranks sixth in MSU history in career sacks with 21.5 and owns the seventh and eighth spots in the Bulldogs' single-season top 10. Sweat is the No. 24 player on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft. He also turned in 51 total tackles, including 13.5 for loss, and racked up 40 total pressures according to Pro Football Focus.
A tough, physical playmaker who is listed at No. 30 on ESPN's Todd McShay's top 32 players for the 2019 NFL Draft, Abram filled the stat sheet in his final year in Starkville, recording 93 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, five pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. He also led all SEC safeties with a passer rating of 41.6 allowed over his 40 targets according to PFF.
Both Sweat and Abram were first-team All-SEC choices by the AP and helped the Bulldogs' defensive unit finish the regular season ranked No. 1 in the FBS in scoring defense (12.0), fewest touchdowns allowed (12), yards per play allowed (4.14), pass efficiency defense (97.26), red-zone touchdown percentage (25.0) and fewest 50+ yard plays allowed (0). MSU was the only school in the nation to rank inside the top 10 in the FBS in scoring defense (1st – 12.0), rushing defense (10th – 104.25), passing defense (6th – 164.2) and total defense (3rd – 268.4).
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)
CBS Sports (second 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)
Football Writers Association of America (first team)
Sporting News (first team)
CBS Sports (second team)
2018 Sporting News All-America Teams
First Team
Offense
QB – Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
RB – Travis Etienne, Clemson
RB – Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
WR – Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
WR – Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
TE – Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
OT – Jonah Williams, Alabama
OT – Dalton Risner, Kansas State
C – Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
G – Ben Powers, Oklahoma
G – Terronne Prescod, N.C. State
ATH – Darrell Henderson, Memphis
Defense
DL – Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
DL – Christian Wilkins, Clemson
DL – Quinnen Williams, Alabama
DL – Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
LB – Josh Allen, Kentucky
LB – Devin Bush, Michigan
LB – Devin White, LSU
CB – Deandre Baker, Georgia
CB – Julian Love, Notre Dame
S – Deionte Thompson, Alabama
S – Grant Delpit, LSU
Special Teams
K – Andre Szmyt, Syracuse
P – Braden Mann, Texas A&M
RET – Isaiah Wright, Temple
Second Team
Offense
QB – Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
RB – Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
RB – Devin Singletary, FAU
WR – Andy Isabella, Massachusetts
WR – Preston Williams, Colorado State
TE – Caleb Wilson, UCLA
T – Greg Little, Ole Miss
T – Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
C – Garrett Bradbury, N.C. State
G – Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
G – Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
ATH – Rondale Moore, Purdue
Defense
DL – Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
DL – Ed Oliver, Houston
DL – Kenny Willekes, Michigan Sate
DL – Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
LB – Chase Hansen, Utah
LB – Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
LB – Joe Dineen, Kansas
CB – Byron Murphy, Washington
CB – Greedy Williams, LSU
S – Andre Cisco, Syracuse
S – Taylor Rapp, Washington
Special Teams
K – Cole Tracy, LSU
P – Ryan Stonehouse, Colorado State
RET – Michael Walker, Boston College
2018 CBS Sports All-America Teams
FIRST TEAM
Offense
QB – Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
RB – Darrell Henderson, Memphis
RB – Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin
WR – Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
WR – Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
TE – Jace Sternberger, Texas A&M
C – Michael Jordan, Ohio State
OL – Jonah Williams, Alabama
OL – Andrew Thomas, Georgia
OL – Beau Benzschawel, Wisconsin
OL – Dalton Risner, Kansas State
Defense
DL – Quinnen Williams*, Alabama
DL – Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
DL – Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
DL – Ed Oliver, Houston
LB – Josh Allen*, Kentucky
LB – Devin White, LSU
LB – Devin Bush, Michigan
CB – Deandre Baker, Georgia
CB – Greedy Williams, LSU
S – Grant Delpit*, LSU
S – Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Special Teams
K – Andre Szmyt, Syracuse
P – Braden Mann*, Texas A&M
KR – Savon Scarver, Utah State
PR – Greg Dortch, Wake Forest
AP – Rondale Moore*, Purdue
SECOND TEAM
Offense
QB – Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama
RB – Travis Etienne, Clemson
RB – Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
WR – Tylan Wallace, Oklahoma State
WR – Andy Isabella, UMass
TE – Caleb Wilson, UCLA
C – Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
OL – Mitch Hyatt, Clemson
OL – Dru Samia, Oklahoma
OL – Ben Powers, Oklahoma
OL – Andre Dillard, Washington State
Defense
DL – Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
DL – Jachai Polite, Florida
DL – Christian Wilkins, Clemson
DL – Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
LB – Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
LB – Chase Hansen, Utah
LB – Te'Von Coney, Notre Dame
CB – Julian Love, Notre Dame
CB – Hamp Cheevers, Boston College
S – Taylor Rapp, Washington
S – Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
Special Teams
K – Cole Tracy, LSU
P – Mitch Wishnowski, Utah
KR – Maurice Ffrench, Pittsburgh
PR – Mecole Hardman, Georgia
AP – Michael Walker, Boston College
Players Mentioned
S
/ Football
OL
/ Football
DT
/ Football
DE
/ 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