Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Forbes A Conerly Trophy Finalist
May 10, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State freshman All-American cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is one of eight finalists for the C Spire Conerly Trophy, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced Monday.
The C Spire Conerly Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college football player in Mississippi. Forbes is joined by Belhaven running back Brad Foley, Jackson State wide receiver Daylen Baldwin, Millsaps defensive back Christian Roberts, Mississippi College running back Cole Fagan, Mississippi Valley State defensive end-linebacker Jerry Garner, Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore and Southern Miss outside linebacker Arvin Fletcher as this year's finalists.
The winner will be announced as part of a virtual ceremony in two weeks, May 24, hosted by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
The awards program was cancelled last year by co-sponsors C Spire and the MSHOF after a global pandemic caused some sports to be discontinued and others to be curtailed due to health restrictions and concerns. All four of the C Spire Outstanding Player Awards will be conferred during a virtual program on Monday, May 24 at noon. Fans, players and family members can watch the program online at www.msfame.com. Veteran CBS NFL television analyst Charles Davis will be the special master of ceremonies.
Forbes tied the Bulldogs' career record with three interception return touchdowns during his first season. He led the SEC with five interceptions in 11 games in 2020, which ranked third in the FBS. He closed the season as the SEC's active career leader in defensive touchdowns.
Forbes picked off Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak twice in the regular season finale, returning one 29 yards for a touchdown. He also picked off Texas A&M's Kellen Mond and raced 60 yards for a score.
In State's bowl game he took a pick back 90 yards for a touchdown, which is tied for the sixth-longest interception return in school history with Anthony Derricks' 90-yard return against Auburn on Nov. 1, 1997. He is the first MSU defender with multiple interception returns for a touchdown since Corey Broomfield (2) in 2009.
For the season, Forbes finished with 44 tackles, five interceptions, six pass breakups and 0.5 tackles for loss. He piled up a season-best eight stops against Auburn and totaled seven tackles versus Missouri to close out the SEC schedule. His 701 defensive snaps played ranked fourth nationally among true freshmen defenders.
MSU has won the Conerly Trophy nine times since the award debuted in 1996.
For more information on Mississippi State Athletics, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailState."
The C Spire Conerly Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college football player in Mississippi. Forbes is joined by Belhaven running back Brad Foley, Jackson State wide receiver Daylen Baldwin, Millsaps defensive back Christian Roberts, Mississippi College running back Cole Fagan, Mississippi Valley State defensive end-linebacker Jerry Garner, Ole Miss wide receiver Elijah Moore and Southern Miss outside linebacker Arvin Fletcher as this year's finalists.
The winner will be announced as part of a virtual ceremony in two weeks, May 24, hosted by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
The awards program was cancelled last year by co-sponsors C Spire and the MSHOF after a global pandemic caused some sports to be discontinued and others to be curtailed due to health restrictions and concerns. All four of the C Spire Outstanding Player Awards will be conferred during a virtual program on Monday, May 24 at noon. Fans, players and family members can watch the program online at www.msfame.com. Veteran CBS NFL television analyst Charles Davis will be the special master of ceremonies.
Forbes tied the Bulldogs' career record with three interception return touchdowns during his first season. He led the SEC with five interceptions in 11 games in 2020, which ranked third in the FBS. He closed the season as the SEC's active career leader in defensive touchdowns.
Forbes picked off Missouri quarterback Connor Bazelak twice in the regular season finale, returning one 29 yards for a touchdown. He also picked off Texas A&M's Kellen Mond and raced 60 yards for a score.
In State's bowl game he took a pick back 90 yards for a touchdown, which is tied for the sixth-longest interception return in school history with Anthony Derricks' 90-yard return against Auburn on Nov. 1, 1997. He is the first MSU defender with multiple interception returns for a touchdown since Corey Broomfield (2) in 2009.
For the season, Forbes finished with 44 tackles, five interceptions, six pass breakups and 0.5 tackles for loss. He piled up a season-best eight stops against Auburn and totaled seven tackles versus Missouri to close out the SEC schedule. His 701 defensive snaps played ranked fourth nationally among true freshmen defenders.
MSU has won the Conerly Trophy nine times since the award debuted in 1996.
For more information on Mississippi State Athletics, follow the Bulldogs on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailState."
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