Photo by: Steve Sanders/Kansas City Chiefs
#FromStatetoSundays: Week 16 Update
December 25, 2019 | Football
by Brian Ogden, Assistant Director/Communications
STARKVILLE – Three more former Mississippi State players have secured their spot in the NFL Playoffs as the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks clinched postseason berths in Week 16. The addition of K.J. Wright, Jordan Thomas and Bernardrick McKinney brings State's total of playoff-bound players to nine.
Wright matched his single-season career high with 126th tackle of 2019 on Sunday. That is tied for ninth in the league and the linebacker ranks 12th in the NFL in tackling grade according to Pro Football Focus.
Chris Jones was the Kansas City Chiefs' second-highest-graded pass rusher (71.7) according to Pro Football Focus with four total pressures. He now leads the Chiefs with eight sacks and recorded the 32nd of his career.
The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North division title, and linebacker Preston Smith put an exclamation point on the game with a half sack late in the fourth quarter of 23-10 victory. Smith produced four total pressures, including three hurries, and is now eighth in the NFL with 12.0 sacks.
The Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders could all reach the playoffs in the final week of the regular season. Gabe Jackson's Raiders are hoping to unseat Jeffrey Simmons and the Titans for the last AFC Wild Card while Dak Prescott and the Cowboys try to reclaim the NFC East division title from Fletcher Cox's Eagles.
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.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM (IR) | OAKLAND RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 1 TKL, 4 AST, 5 TT, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at San Diego Chargers (W, 24-17)
DENICO AUTRY | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – DT/DE | AT MSU: 2012-13
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 20 TKL, 12 AST, 32 TT, 3.5 SK, 4.0 TFL, 11 QBH, 4, PD, 1 FF
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 38-6)
HUNTER BRADLEY | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LS | AT MSU: 2012-17
Season: 15 G, 1 AST, 1 TT
Last Week: 1 G at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
Season: 12 G, 1 GS, 2 Rec, 21 YDS, 16 LONG, 2 TKL, 2 AST, 4 TT
Last Week: 1 G vs. Detroit Lions (W, 27-17)
RICHIE BROWN (IR) | ATLANTA FALCONS – LB | AT MSU: 2012-16
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 24-12)
DEION CALHOUN | MIAMI DOLPHINS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 8 G, 4 GS, 17 Pressures Allowed, 1 SK Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 Pressures Allowed vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W, 38-35)
TAVEZE CALHOUN (IR) | ATLANTA FALCONS – CB | AT MSU: 2011-15
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 24-12)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 13 G, 73 Punts, 3,389 Yds, 46.4 AVG, LONG 66, 24 In-20, 1-1, 7YDS
Last Week: 1 G, 5 Punts, 254 Yds, 46.8 AVG, LONG 58, 1 In-20 at Atlanta Falcons (L, 12-24)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 26 TKL, 14 AST, 40 TT, 5.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 PD, 3.0 SK, 3 FF, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 QH, 1 FF vs. Dallas Cowboys (W, 17-9)
Season: 14 G, 11 TKL, 4 AST, 15 TT, 1 BL, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT at Tennessee Titans (W, 38-28)
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 38-6)
BRAXTON HOYETT (PS) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Chicago Bears (W, 26-3)
GABE JACKSON | OAKLAND RAIDERS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 73.3 Pass Block Grade, 14 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 71.5 Pass Block Grade, 1 Pressure Allowed at San Diego Chargers (W, 24-17)
Season: 15 G, 13 GS, 76.8 Pass Block Grade, 18 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 77.6 Offensive Grade, 78.1 Run Block Grade, 3 Pressures Allowed at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 13-27)
MALCOLM JOHNSON (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – FB | AT MSU: 2010-14
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
CHRIS JONES | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2013-15
Season: 12 G, 11 GS, 22 TKL, 12 AST, 34 TT, 8.0 SK, 7.0 TFL, 18 QBH, 4 PD, 1 FR, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 SK, 1 TFL, 1 QH at Chicago Bears (W, 26-3)
Season: 13 G, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 7 TT, 2 QH, 1 PD, 1 BL
Last Week: 1 G at Indianapolis Colts (L, 6-38)
Season: 14 G, 14 GS, 54 TKL, 48 AST, 102 TT, 1.0 SK, 4.0 TKL, 4 QBH, 3 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 23-20)
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Washington Redskins (W, 41-35)
PERNELL MCPHEE (IR) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2009-10
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 2 AST, 19 TT, 3.O SK, 7.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at Cleveland Browns (W, 31-15)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 14 G, 14 GS, 384-544, 4,599 YDS, 26 TD, 11 INT, 97.4 QBR, 49 RUSH, 242 YDS, 3 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 44-25, 265 YDS, 0 TD, 74.5 QBR, 1 RUSH, 7 YD, 0 TD at Philadelphia Eagles (L, 9-17)
Season: 6 G, 5 GS
Last Week: DNP at Chicago Bears (W, 26-3)
WILL REDMOND | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 13 G, 4 GS, 25 TKL, 11 AST, 36 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 G at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 12 AST, 29 TT, 2.0 SK, 4 TFL, 2 QH, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 28-38)
DARIUS SLAY | DETROIT LIONS – CB | AT MSU: 2011-12
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 33 TKL, 10 AST, 43 TT, 2 INT, 12 PD, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 1 AST, 5 TT, 2 PD at Denver Broncos (L, 17-27)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 35 TKL, 20 AST, 55 TT, 12.0 SK, 11.0 TFL, 23 QBH, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 0.5 SK, 1 QBH at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 26 TKL, 19 AST, 45 TT, 5.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 1 TFL, 1 QH vs. New York Giants (L, 35-41)
Season: 4 G, 1 GS
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 23-20)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 63 TKL, 63 AST, 126 TT, 2.0 TFL, 3 INT, 10 PD, 1 QH
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 8 AST, 13 TT vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 13-27)
STARKVILLE – Three more former Mississippi State players have secured their spot in the NFL Playoffs as the Houston Texans and Seattle Seahawks clinched postseason berths in Week 16. The addition of K.J. Wright, Jordan Thomas and Bernardrick McKinney brings State's total of playoff-bound players to nine.
Wright matched his single-season career high with 126th tackle of 2019 on Sunday. That is tied for ninth in the league and the linebacker ranks 12th in the NFL in tackling grade according to Pro Football Focus.
Chris Jones was the Kansas City Chiefs' second-highest-graded pass rusher (71.7) according to Pro Football Focus with four total pressures. He now leads the Chiefs with eight sacks and recorded the 32nd of his career.
The Green Bay Packers clinched the NFC North division title, and linebacker Preston Smith put an exclamation point on the game with a half sack late in the fourth quarter of 23-10 victory. Smith produced four total pressures, including three hurries, and is now eighth in the NFL with 12.0 sacks.
The Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders could all reach the playoffs in the final week of the regular season. Gabe Jackson's Raiders are hoping to unseat Jeffrey Simmons and the Titans for the last AFC Wild Card while Dak Prescott and the Cowboys try to reclaim the NFC East division title from Fletcher Cox's Eagles.
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.
JOHNATHAN ABRAM (IR) | OAKLAND RAIDERS – S | AT MSU: 2017-18
Season: 1 G, 1 GS, 1 TKL, 4 AST, 5 TT, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at San Diego Chargers (W, 24-17)
DENICO AUTRY | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – DT/DE | AT MSU: 2012-13
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 20 TKL, 12 AST, 32 TT, 3.5 SK, 4.0 TFL, 11 QBH, 4, PD, 1 FF
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 38-6)
HUNTER BRADLEY | GREEN BAY PACKERS – LS | AT MSU: 2012-17
Season: 15 G, 1 AST, 1 TT
Last Week: 1 G at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
- Previously clinched playoff berth
- Clinched division title
Season: 12 G, 1 GS, 2 Rec, 21 YDS, 16 LONG, 2 TKL, 2 AST, 4 TT
Last Week: 1 G vs. Detroit Lions (W, 27-17)
RICHIE BROWN (IR) | ATLANTA FALCONS – LB | AT MSU: 2012-16
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 24-12)
DEION CALHOUN | MIAMI DOLPHINS – OG | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: 8 G, 4 GS, 17 Pressures Allowed, 1 SK Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 Pressures Allowed vs. Cincinnati Bengals (W, 38-35)
TAVEZE CALHOUN (IR) | ATLANTA FALCONS – CB | AT MSU: 2011-15
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 24-12)
LOGAN COOKE | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS – P | AT MSU: 2014-17
Season: 13 G, 73 Punts, 3,389 Yds, 46.4 AVG, LONG 66, 24 In-20, 1-1, 7YDS
Last Week: 1 G, 5 Punts, 254 Yds, 46.8 AVG, LONG 58, 1 In-20 at Atlanta Falcons (L, 12-24)
- Leads the NFL with in net punting average at 44.4 yards
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 26 TKL, 14 AST, 40 TT, 5.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 PD, 3.0 SK, 3 FF, 2 PD
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 QH, 1 FF vs. Dallas Cowboys (W, 17-9)
- Recorded a hurry and a QB hit for two total pressures
Season: 14 G, 11 TKL, 4 AST, 15 TT, 1 BL, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 G, 1 TKL, 1 AST, 2 TT at Tennessee Titans (W, 38-28)
- Previously clinched playoff berth
- Leads NFL with a 91.2 special teams grade this season according to Pro Football Focus (min. 50 percent of snaps)
- Leads the Saints with 10 special teams solo tackles
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP vs. Carolina Panthers (W, 38-6)
BRAXTON HOYETT (PS) | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2014-18
Season: Practice Squad
Last Week: DNP at Chicago Bears (W, 26-3)
GABE JACKSON | OAKLAND RAIDERS – OG | AT MSU 2009-13
Season: 10 G, 10 GS, 73.3 Pass Block Grade, 14 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 71.5 Pass Block Grade, 1 Pressure Allowed at San Diego Chargers (W, 24-17)
- Played every snap, allowing just one hurry
Season: 15 G, 13 GS, 76.8 Pass Block Grade, 18 Pressures Allowed
Last Week: 1 GS, 77.6 Offensive Grade, 78.1 Run Block Grade, 3 Pressures Allowed at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
- Previously clinched playoff berth
- Clinched division title
- Played every snap on the offensive line
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 13-27)
MALCOLM JOHNSON (IR) | GREEN BAY PACKERS – FB | AT MSU: 2010-14
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
CHRIS JONES | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS – DT | AT MSU: 2013-15
Season: 12 G, 11 GS, 22 TKL, 12 AST, 34 TT, 8.0 SK, 7.0 TFL, 18 QBH, 4 PD, 1 FR, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 3 TKL, 3 TT, 1 SK, 1 TFL, 1 QH at Chicago Bears (W, 26-3)
- Previously clinched playoff berth
- Recorded four total pressures and was Kansas City's No. 2 graded pass rusher (71.7) according to Pro Football Focus
- Now leads the Chiefs with eight sacks and recorded the 32nd of his career
- Ranks 15th in the NFL in pass rush grade (87.5) this season according to PFF (min. 50 percent of snaps)
- Among the top 20 players in the league in sack yardage (68.0)
Season: 13 G, 4 TKL, 3 AST, 7 TT, 2 QH, 1 PD, 1 BL
Last Week: 1 G at Indianapolis Colts (L, 6-38)
- Batted a pass and recorded one hurry
- Was the Panther's second-highest-graded pass rusher according to Pro Football Focus
Season: 14 G, 14 GS, 54 TKL, 48 AST, 102 TT, 1.0 SK, 4.0 TKL, 4 QBH, 3 PD, 1 FF, 2 FR
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 23-20)
- Clinched playoff berth and division title
- Second on the team with 102 total tackles, has led the team in each of the past three regular seasons
- Leads the AFC and is tied for seventh in the NFL in tackles since 2016 (430)
- Ranks fourth in Texans' franchise history with 488 career tackles
Season: Injured Reserve
Last Week: DNP at Washington Redskins (W, 41-35)
PERNELL MCPHEE (IR) | BALTIMORE RAVENS – LB | AT MSU: 2009-10
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 2 AST, 19 TT, 3.O SK, 7.0 TFL, 6 QBH, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP at Cleveland Browns (W, 31-15)
DAK PRESCOTT | DALLAS COWBOYS – QB | AT MSU: 2011-2015
Season: 14 G, 14 GS, 384-544, 4,599 YDS, 26 TD, 11 INT, 97.4 QBR, 49 RUSH, 242 YDS, 3 TD
Last Week: 1 GS, 44-25, 265 YDS, 0 TD, 74.5 QBR, 1 RUSH, 7 YD, 0 TD at Philadelphia Eagles (L, 9-17)
- Moved into second in Cowboys' franchise history in single-season passing yards (4,599), sits 305 yards shy of breaking the franchise record
- Second in the NFL in passing yards and third in completions
Season: 6 G, 5 GS
Last Week: DNP at Chicago Bears (W, 26-3)
WILL REDMOND | GREEN BAY PACKERS – S | AT MSU: 2012-15
Season: 13 G, 4 GS, 25 TKL, 11 AST, 36 TT, 1.0 TFL, 1 PD
Last Week: 1 G at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
- Previously clinched playoff berth
- Clinched division title
- Packers' third-highest-graded special teams player according to Pro Football Focus
Season: 7 G, 7 GS, 17 TKL, 12 AST, 29 TT, 2.0 SK, 4 TFL, 2 QH, 1 PD
Last Week: DNP vs. New Orleans Saints (L, 28-38)
DARIUS SLAY | DETROIT LIONS – CB | AT MSU: 2011-12
Season: 13 G, 13 GS, 33 TKL, 10 AST, 43 TT, 2 INT, 12 PD, 1 FR
Last Week: 1 GS, 4 TKL, 1 AST, 5 TT, 2 PD at Denver Broncos (L, 17-27)
- Ranks 18th in the NFL and 10th in the NFC with 12 pass defenses
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 35 TKL, 20 AST, 55 TT, 12.0 SK, 11.0 TFL, 23 QBH, 1 INT, 3 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 1 TKL, 2 AST, 3 TT, 0.5 SK, 1 QBH at Minnesota Vikings (W, 23-10)
- Previously clinched playoff berth
- Clinched division title
- Produced four total pressures, including three hurries
- Eighth in the NFL with 12.0 sacks and seventh in sack yardage (88.0)
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 26 TKL, 19 AST, 45 TT, 5.0 SK, 6.0 TFL, 10 QBH, 2 PD, 1 FF
Last Week: 1 GS, 2 TKL, 2 TT, 1 TFL, 1 QH vs. New York Giants (L, 35-41)
- Posted a QB hit and a hurry for two total pressures
Season: 4 G, 1 GS
Last Week: DNP at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (W, 23-20)
- Clinched playoff berth and division title
Season: 15 G, 15 GS, 63 TKL, 63 AST, 126 TT, 2.0 TFL, 3 INT, 10 PD, 1 QH
Last Week: 1 GS, 5 TKL, 8 AST, 13 TT vs. Arizona Cardinals (L, 13-27)
- Clinched playoff berth
- Tied for ninth in the league with 126 total tackles, just one shy of a new single-season career high
- Ranks 12th in the NFL in tackling grade (85.6) this season according to Pro Football Focus (min. 50 percent of snaps)
- Ranks 21st in the NFC with 10 pass defenses, tied for 18th with three interceptions
Players Mentioned
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