Simmons Adds Another All-America Honor
August 21, 2018 | Football
by Brandon Langlois, Associate Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's Jeffery Simmons added another honor to his growing list Tuesday as he was named to the Associated Press preseason All-America second team.
Simmons' selection marked the fourth time this summer the junior from Macon, Mississippi, has earned preseason All-America accolades.
An absolute force in the middle, Simmons leads all returning FBS defensive tackles in quarterback pressures with 41 in 2017, according to Pro Football Focus. Despite being double-teamed for most of the 2017 season, Simmons ranked 11th in the Southeastern Conference with 12.0 tackles for loss, including a career-best five sacks, and garnered first-team All-SEC honors.
A two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week honoree last season, Simmons helped State to one of the school's best defensive performances since 1999 as the anchor of the unit. The Bulldogs closed the 2017 season ranked 10th nationally in total defense, allowing only 306.3 yards per game.
Simmons totaled 60 tackles and forced and recovered two fumbles while tallying three blocks on special teams, which tied SMU's Justin Lawler for the national lead. He scored twice with two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' road win at Louisiana Tech, becoming the first Bulldog defensive player since Johnathan Banks in 2009 to score twice in a game.
Simmons and the Bulldogs will open the Joe Moorhead era inside Davis Wade Stadium on Sept. 1, against Stephen F. Austin on ESPNU at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Season tickets, mini-plans and individual game tickets for the 2018 Bulldog season can be purchased at HailState.com/Tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Jace Christmann, So., K
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Manning Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Gerri Green, Sr., DE
Wuerffel Trophy 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)
Associated Press Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Sports Illustrated Preseason All-American (Second Team)
CBS Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Outland Trophy Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Deddrick Thomas, Jr., WR
Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Aeris Williams, Sr., RB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Doak Walker Award Watch List
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's Jeffery Simmons added another honor to his growing list Tuesday as he was named to the Associated Press preseason All-America second team.
Simmons' selection marked the fourth time this summer the junior from Macon, Mississippi, has earned preseason All-America accolades.
An absolute force in the middle, Simmons leads all returning FBS defensive tackles in quarterback pressures with 41 in 2017, according to Pro Football Focus. Despite being double-teamed for most of the 2017 season, Simmons ranked 11th in the Southeastern Conference with 12.0 tackles for loss, including a career-best five sacks, and garnered first-team All-SEC honors.
A two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week honoree last season, Simmons helped State to one of the school's best defensive performances since 1999 as the anchor of the unit. The Bulldogs closed the 2017 season ranked 10th nationally in total defense, allowing only 306.3 yards per game.
Simmons totaled 60 tackles and forced and recovered two fumbles while tallying three blocks on special teams, which tied SMU's Justin Lawler for the national lead. He scored twice with two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' road win at Louisiana Tech, becoming the first Bulldog defensive player since Johnathan Banks in 2009 to score twice in a game.
Simmons and the Bulldogs will open the Joe Moorhead era inside Davis Wade Stadium on Sept. 1, against Stephen F. Austin on ESPNU at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Season tickets, mini-plans and individual game tickets for the 2018 Bulldog season can be purchased at HailState.com/Tickets, by calling 1-888-GO-DAWGS or in person at the MSU Athletic Ticket Office on the first floor of the Bryan Athletic Administration Building (288 Lakeview Drive), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2018 Mississippi State Preseason Honors
Jace Christmann, So., K
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Nick Fitzgerald, Sr., QB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Maxwell Award Watch List
Davey O'Brien Award Watch List
Manning Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Gerri Green, Sr., DE
Wuerffel Trophy 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)
Associated Press Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Sports Illustrated Preseason All-American (Second Team)
CBS Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Second Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Outland Trophy Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Montez Sweat, Sr., DE
First-Team All-SEC (Media, Phil Steele)
Athlon Sports Preseason All-American (Third Team)
Bednarik Award Watch List
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Ted Hendricks Award Watch List
Deddrick Thomas, Jr., WR
Paul Hornung Award Watch List
Aeris Williams, Sr., RB
Third-Team All-SEC (Media)
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Players Mentioned
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