Wheat Primed For East-West Shrine Bowl
February 01, 2023 | Football
LAS VEGAS – Mississippi State linebacker Tyrus Wheat will be representing the Bulldogs in the East-West Shrine Bowl on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. on NFL Network.
Wheat will be wearing No. 92 and playing for the West Team coached by members of the New England Patriots' staff. The East-West Shine Bowl will be played inside Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Wheat was a three-year starter at MSU after transferring in from Copiah-Lincoln Community College, where he began his career as a safety. The now 6-foot-2, 260-pounder wrapped up his career in Maroon and White with 129 tackles - 27 of which went for a loss – three interceptions, three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
Wheat's 18.5 career sacks are tied with Titus Brown (2004-07) for the eighth-most in school history.
The Amite, Louisiana started 12 games during his final season this past fall and tied Nathaniel Watson with a team-leading six sacks and also topped the Bulldogs with eight quarterback hurries. He finished 2022 with 53 tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and was second on the team with 10.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Wheat is the 32nd Bulldog player to participate in the East-West Shrine Bowl and first since Tommy Stevens and Darryl Williams did so in 2020. Current Mississippi State wide receivers coach Chad Bumphis also represented the Bulldogs in the East-West Shrine Bowl back in 2013.
Wheat is one of six current players from State selected for postseason all-star games. Center LaQuinston Sharp saw action in the Hula Bowl while defensive end Randy Charlton and safeties Collin Duncan and Jalen Green participated in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl last weekend.
Defensive tackle Cameron Young is also set to play in the Senior Bowl on Saturday.
For more information on the Bulldog football program, visit HailState.com or search for "HailStateFB" on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
