Racking Up Preseason Awards

STARKVILLE — Nearing 100 days until the 2021 football season opener, eight Mississippi State players recently earned preseason All-SEC honors from Athlon Sports.

MSU's eight selections tied for the fifth most in the conference. Here's a look at the Bulldogs who made the list:

Second-Team Specialists
KR Lideatrick Griffin

Third-Team Offense
WR Jaden Walley

Third-Team Defense
CB Martin Emerson

Fourth-Team Offense
All-Purpose/RB Jo'quavious Marks
OL Charles Cross

Fourth-Team Defense
DL Jaden Crumedy
LB Aaron Brule
CB Emmanuel Forbes

Noting MSU's Preseason All-SEC Selections

Four of State's selections – Griffin, Walley, Marks and Forbes – were true freshmen in 2020, while six of the eight were first-time starters. The Bulldogs led the Power 5 a year ago with 26 first-time starters.
Walley and Forbes each earned postseason All-America honors following their debut seasons.
Walley set the MSU freshman record for 100-yard receiving games with four, while Forbes led the SEC in interceptions. Forbes also led the nation in defensive touchdowns with three interceptions returned for scores.
Emerson graded as the No. 7 cornerback in the FBS and No. 3 in the SEC in coverage grade (82.9) by PFF (min. 200 coverage snaps) and earned All-America honorable mention status.
Cross was named to the 2020 Freshman All-SEC last season. He ranked No. 4 nationally in pass blocking snaps (528) per PFF and was MSU's top-graded offensive lineman on five occasions (Arkansas, Texas A&M, at Alabama, Auburn, vs. Tulsa) according to PFF.
Brule led all FBS linebackers in pass rush snaps (192), total pressures generated (39) and quarterback hurries (27) per PFF last year.
Griffin caught a touchdown pass and returned four of five kickoffs for 138 yards in the Bulldogs' bowl game victory.
Marks set State's single-season mark for receptions by a freshman and by a running back with 60 catches. He led the nation in receptions by a running back and receptions by a freshman.
Crumedy tallied 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 11 starts.

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Players Mentioned

Aaron Brule

Charles Cross

Jaden Crumedy

Martin Emerson

Emmanuel Forbes

Lideatrick Griffin

Jo'Quavious Marks

Jaden Walley

Mississippi State University Athletics