Forbes, Williams Named Semifinalists For National Awards

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State wide receiver Austin Williams and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes have been named semifinalists for a pair of national awards, it was announced by the two organizations on Tuesday (Nov. 1).

Forbes was named a semifinalist for the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player of the year in college football. On Oct. 24, the junior was also named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes to the best defensive back in college football.

For the second straight season, Williams is one of 12 semifinalists for the 2022 Wuerffel Trophy, which is know as "College Football's Premier Award for Community Service" and exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society, and inspire greater service in the world.

Forbes has five interceptions through eight games this season, which is tied for the most in the nation and the second-most in MSU single-season history. Earlier this season, he tied the SEC record with his fifth career pick-six on a 59-yard return at Kentucky.

The junior has 13 career interceptions, which leads the nation since 2020 and is the most among active SEC players. Forbes' 13 picks currently rank third nationally among active players, while he is ranked fourth in MSU history in that category. Forbes leads the Bulldog defense with six pass breakups, while he has 24 total tackles on the campaign, including 15 solo stops.

Most recently, Williams was selected as a member of the 2022 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments, and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is college football's premier scholar-athlete award.

Williams is in his final campaign with the Bulldogs and has excelled in every facet during his time at Mississippi State. Of his 134 career receptions, 67.9 percent have led to a touchdown or first down. He is now sixth in MSU career history with 16 receiving touchdowns. Williams also has the lowest drop rate of any active SEC wide receiver with a minimum of 100 targets since 2019 (2.1 percent).

The formal announcement of the 2022 Wuerffel Trophy recipient is scheduled to be made on Dec. 8 and the presentation of the 2022 Wuerffel Trophy will occur on Feb. 24, 2023, at the 54th All Sports Association Awards Banquet in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

The winner of the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on Dec. 8. The formal presentation of the Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards will take place at the 86th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held in March 2023.

Mississippi State returns to action on Saturday, Nov. 5, against Auburn at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

For more information on the Bulldog football program, visit HailState.com, or search for "HailStateFB" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Forbes, Williams Named Semifinalists For National Awards

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