Mississippi State earned five Preseason Media Days All-SEC Team selections, including two first-time picks in Simmons and Sweat.
Five Bulldogs Tabbed to Preseason All-SEC Teams
July 20, 2018 | Football
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Five Mississippi State Bulldogs were recognized as members of the 2018 Southeastern Conference Media Days Preseason All-SEC Team, while MSU was pegged to finish third in the SEC Western Division, the league office announced Friday.
MSU was the lone school in the conference to place two defensive linemen on the All-SEC First Team as junior defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and senior defensive end Montez Sweat both earned first-team recognition. Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, senior running back Aeris Williams and senior safety Mark McLaurin were all selected to the All-SEC Third Team.
Despite being double-teamed for most of the 2017 season, Simmons recorded 60 tackles over his sophomore campaign and was tabbed a first-team All-SEC honoree. The Macon, Miss., native ranked 11th in the conference with 12.0 tackles for loss, which includes a career-best five sacks. Defensively, he forced and recovered two fumbles while tallying three blocks on special teams, which tied SMU's Justin Lawler for the national lead.
Sweat collected a league-best 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in his debut season en route to a first-team All-SEC selection. The 10.5 sacks ranked seventh in MSU single-season annals as he became the first Bulldog to lead the league in sacks since Willie Evans in 2005. That total also tied for eighth nationally last season. His tackle for loss total tied for fifth in Bulldog single-season history.
Starting 12 games over his junior season, Fitzgerald complied 2,766 yards of total offense and ranked third in the SEC with 230.5 yards per game average while tallying 29 total touchdowns. The Bulldog quarterback ranked behind only Louisville's Lamar Jackson with six 100-yard rushing/100-yard passing games. Fitzgerald ranks second in school history and 21st in the SEC annals with 72 career touchdowns (39 passing, 33 rushing) and leads all returning FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games and average yards per carry. The Richmond Hill, Ga., native enters his final season as one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for 4,400 yards and rush for over 2,400 yards in a career.
Williams broke out as one of the elite running backs in the SEC in 2017, becoming MSU's first 1,000-yard rusher since Josh Robinson in 2014. The West Point, Miss., native racked up 1,107 total yards on the ground to rank sixth in the SEC while scoring six rushing touchdowns. Williams turned in four 100-yard rushing games last season.
McLaurin enjoyed a stellar junior campaign, leading the team in tackles (79) and interceptions (6). He added 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six pass breakups and one forced fumble. McLaurin tied for the SEC lead in interceptions and tied the single-season school-record for picks most recently acquired by Corey Broomfield in 2009. The Collins, Miss., native was named the TaxSlayer Bowl's Most Valuable Player after intercepting 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson three times and registering a game-high 11 tackles, including 0.5 for loss.
With 1,239 points, including two first-place votes, the Bulldogs were predicted to finish third in the SEC West behind only Auburn (1,667 points) and defending national champion Alabama (1,971 points).
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."
--HailState.com--
2018 Preseason Media Days All-SEC Team
(Total points earned in parenthesis)
OFFENSE
First-Team
QB Drew Lock, Missouri
RB Damien Harris, Alabama
RB Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
TE Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
OL Greg Little, Ole Miss
OL Martez Ivey, Florida
OL Trey Smith, Tennessee
C Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
Second-Team
QB Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
RB D'Andre Swift, Georgia
RB Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
WR Terry Godwin, Georgia
WR Ryan Davis, Auburn
TE Isaac Nauta, Georgia
OL Andrew Thomas, Georgia
OL Lester Cotton, Alabama
OL Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas
OL Garrett Brumfield, LSU
C Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
Third-Team
*QB Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
*QB Jake Fromm, Georgia
RB Aeris Williams, Mississippi State
RB Jordan Scarlett, Florida
WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
WR Emanuel Hall, Missouri
TE C.J. Conrad, Kentucky
OL Matt Womack, Alabama
OL Zack Bailey, South Carolina
OL Javon Patterson, Ole Miss
OL Marquel Harrell, Auburn
C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
DEFENSE
First-Team
DL Raekwon Davis, Alabama
DL Cece Jefferson, Florida
DL Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
DL Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
LB Devin White, LSU
LB Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
LB Mack Wilson, Alabama
DB Deandre Baker, Georgia
DB Greedy Williams, LSU
DB J.R. Reed, Georgia
DB Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Second-Team
DL Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia
DL Terry Beckner, Missouri
DL Derrick Brown, Auburn
DL Isaiah Buggs, Alabama
LB Josh Allen, Kentucky
LB Deshaun Davis, Auburn
LB D'Andre Walker, Georgia
DB Mike Edwards, Kentucky
DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
DB Jamel Dean, Auburn
DB CJ Henderson, Florida
Third-Team
DL Dontavius Russell, Auburn
DL Rashard Lawrence, LSU
DL Marlon Davidson, Auburn
*DL Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M
*DL Landis Durham, Texas A&M
LB Dylan Moses, Alabama
LB David Reese, Florida
LB De'Jon Harris, Arkansas
DB Mark McLaurin, Mississippi State
DB Marco Wilson, Florida
DB Javaris Davis, Auburn
DB Santos Ramirez, Arkansas
SPECIALISTS
First-Team
P Corey Fatony, Missouri
PK Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia
RS Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
AP Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Second-Team
P Joseph Charlton, South Carolina
PK Daniel LaCamera, Texas A&M
RS Mecole Hardman, Georgia
AP Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Third-Team
P Zach Von Rosenberg, LSU
PK Tucker McCann, Missouri
RS Trevon Diggs, Alabama
AP Kadarius Toney, Florida
* - Indicates a tie
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List
Mark McLaurin, Sr., S
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Aeris Williams, Sr., RB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Doak Walker Award Watch List
MSU was the lone school in the conference to place two defensive linemen on the All-SEC First Team as junior defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and senior defensive end Montez Sweat both earned first-team recognition. Senior quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, senior running back Aeris Williams and senior safety Mark McLaurin were all selected to the All-SEC Third Team.
Despite being double-teamed for most of the 2017 season, Simmons recorded 60 tackles over his sophomore campaign and was tabbed a first-team All-SEC honoree. The Macon, Miss., native ranked 11th in the conference with 12.0 tackles for loss, which includes a career-best five sacks. Defensively, he forced and recovered two fumbles while tallying three blocks on special teams, which tied SMU's Justin Lawler for the national lead.
Sweat collected a league-best 10.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in his debut season en route to a first-team All-SEC selection. The 10.5 sacks ranked seventh in MSU single-season annals as he became the first Bulldog to lead the league in sacks since Willie Evans in 2005. That total also tied for eighth nationally last season. His tackle for loss total tied for fifth in Bulldog single-season history.
Starting 12 games over his junior season, Fitzgerald complied 2,766 yards of total offense and ranked third in the SEC with 230.5 yards per game average while tallying 29 total touchdowns. The Bulldog quarterback ranked behind only Louisville's Lamar Jackson with six 100-yard rushing/100-yard passing games. Fitzgerald ranks second in school history and 21st in the SEC annals with 72 career touchdowns (39 passing, 33 rushing) and leads all returning FBS quarterbacks in career rushing touchdowns, 100-yard rushing games and average yards per carry. The Richmond Hill, Ga., native enters his final season as one of only four SEC quarterbacks to throw for 4,400 yards and rush for over 2,400 yards in a career.
Williams broke out as one of the elite running backs in the SEC in 2017, becoming MSU's first 1,000-yard rusher since Josh Robinson in 2014. The West Point, Miss., native racked up 1,107 total yards on the ground to rank sixth in the SEC while scoring six rushing touchdowns. Williams turned in four 100-yard rushing games last season.
McLaurin enjoyed a stellar junior campaign, leading the team in tackles (79) and interceptions (6). He added 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six pass breakups and one forced fumble. McLaurin tied for the SEC lead in interceptions and tied the single-season school-record for picks most recently acquired by Corey Broomfield in 2009. The Collins, Miss., native was named the TaxSlayer Bowl's Most Valuable Player after intercepting 2016 Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson three times and registering a game-high 11 tackles, including 0.5 for loss.
With 1,239 points, including two first-place votes, the Bulldogs were predicted to finish third in the SEC West behind only Auburn (1,667 points) and defending national champion Alabama (1,971 points).
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."
--HailState.com--
2018 Preseason Media Days All-SEC Team
(Total points earned in parenthesis)
OFFENSE
First-Team
QB Drew Lock, Missouri
RB Damien Harris, Alabama
RB Benny Snell Jr., Kentucky
WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
TE Albert Okwuegbunam, Missouri
OL Jonah Williams, Alabama
OL Greg Little, Ole Miss
OL Martez Ivey, Florida
OL Trey Smith, Tennessee
C Ross Pierschbacher, Alabama
Second-Team
QB Jarrett Stidham, Auburn
RB D'Andre Swift, Georgia
RB Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
WR Terry Godwin, Georgia
WR Ryan Davis, Auburn
TE Isaac Nauta, Georgia
OL Andrew Thomas, Georgia
OL Lester Cotton, Alabama
OL Hjalte Froholdt, Arkansas
OL Garrett Brumfield, LSU
C Lamont Gaillard, Georgia
Third-Team
*QB Nick Fitzgerald, Mississippi State
*QB Jake Fromm, Georgia
RB Aeris Williams, Mississippi State
RB Jordan Scarlett, Florida
WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama
WR Emanuel Hall, Missouri
TE C.J. Conrad, Kentucky
OL Matt Womack, Alabama
OL Zack Bailey, South Carolina
OL Javon Patterson, Ole Miss
OL Marquel Harrell, Auburn
C Erik McCoy, Texas A&M
DEFENSE
First-Team
DL Raekwon Davis, Alabama
DL Cece Jefferson, Florida
DL Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
DL Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
LB Devin White, LSU
LB Anfernee Jennings, Alabama
LB Mack Wilson, Alabama
DB Deandre Baker, Georgia
DB Greedy Williams, LSU
DB J.R. Reed, Georgia
DB Deionte Thompson, Alabama
Second-Team
DL Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia
DL Terry Beckner, Missouri
DL Derrick Brown, Auburn
DL Isaiah Buggs, Alabama
LB Josh Allen, Kentucky
LB Deshaun Davis, Auburn
LB D'Andre Walker, Georgia
DB Mike Edwards, Kentucky
DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Florida
DB Jamel Dean, Auburn
DB CJ Henderson, Florida
Third-Team
DL Dontavius Russell, Auburn
DL Rashard Lawrence, LSU
DL Marlon Davidson, Auburn
*DL Kingsley Keke, Texas A&M
*DL Landis Durham, Texas A&M
LB Dylan Moses, Alabama
LB David Reese, Florida
LB De'Jon Harris, Arkansas
DB Mark McLaurin, Mississippi State
DB Marco Wilson, Florida
DB Javaris Davis, Auburn
DB Santos Ramirez, Arkansas
SPECIALISTS
First-Team
P Corey Fatony, Missouri
PK Rodrigo Blankenship, Georgia
RS Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
AP Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
Second-Team
P Joseph Charlton, South Carolina
PK Daniel LaCamera, Texas A&M
RS Mecole Hardman, Georgia
AP Trevon Diggs, Alabama
Third-Team
P Zach Von Rosenberg, LSU
PK Tucker McCann, Missouri
RS Trevon Diggs, Alabama
AP Kadarius Toney, Florida
* - Indicates a tie
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Elgton Jenkins, Sr., OL
Rimington Trophy Fall Watch List
Mark McLaurin, Sr., S
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Jeffery Simmons, Jr., DT
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Aeris Williams, Sr., RB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
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OL
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DL
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RB
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