Taking Toughness From State To Sundays
May 04, 2023 | Football, Joel Coleman
Emmanuel Forbes, Cameron Young and the rest of the newest NFL Bulldogs know what it takes to succeed after time in Starkville.
STARKVILLE – Shortly after being taken by the Washington Commanders in the first round of the NFL Draft last week, Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes was asked by reporters what he plans to bring to the nation's capital.
His response painted the picture of the same player the Bulldog family has enjoyed watching the last three years – the one who left Starkville as the FBS career record holder for pick-sixes.
"I'm going to bring a guy that's going to have a great attitude, come in and work every day, just helping the team win games," Forbes said. "Hopefully my game is…creating a lot of turnovers for the Washington Commanders."
Great attitude. Hard worker. Playmaker.
Those characteristics certainly describe Emmanuel Forbes. The same could also be said for the rest of the newest NFL Bulldogs – defensive tackle Cameron Young, who was a fourth-round draft choice by the Seattle Seahawks, as well as State's free-agent signees. Those have so far included linebacker Tyrus Wheat (Dallas Cowboys), defensive lineman Randy Charlton (Miami Dolphins) and safety Collin Duncan (Los Angeles Rams). Each player exemplifies the formula that has led to so many Bulldogs making the leap from State to Sundays in recent years.
MSU players pride themselves on being blue-collar guys. They're not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get after it.
The Seahawks are another one of the organizations about to find that out firsthand based on how Young talked of his skill set to reporters on the Seattle beat.
"I like to describe myself as a Dawg," Young said. "[I'm] a guy that's very physical who loves to establish the line of scrimmage and stop the run. But I also got a little twist in there and can rush the passer."
Those in charge of the Seahawks certainly recognize Young's makeup.
"This guy's a grown man," Seattle general manager John Schneider said of Young. "His back is almost as wide as [Seahawks defensive line coach Clint] Hurts'. [Young is] super-strong at the point of attack and he just plays with a natural, God-given strength. He competes and was really excited we got him."
Added Seattle head coach Pete Carroll on Young: "This is as stout of a player as there was in college football this year. He's physical and tough. He's over 300 pounds and he plays like it and will play some really tough football for us."
Toughness is in the Bulldog DNA. It's one of the many reasons why, over the last decade, Mississippi State has produced the third-most NFL starts per player among all Southeastern Conference Western Division schools.
There's a hunger inside those that wear the Maroon and White. That goes for those like Forbes and Young, as well as the Bulldogs looking to take advantage of their free agent opportunities.
"Job not done!!!!!" Duncan Tweeted about his signing with the Rams.
"Back at home," Charlton, a Miami native, posted; along with a dolphin emoji to show his excitement to get to work in his own backyard.
Only time will tell how big of an impact the newest pro Bulldogs make in the NFL, but it's certain they'll all attack their new journeys the only way they know how: all out, all the time.
Forbes seemed to speak for each of his MSU brothers when he talked of how and why he plans to fit in with his new squad.
"They play really hard, really fast and really physical," Forbes said. "That's something that I'm really good at doing coming from Mississippi State. You have to play fast, hard and physical."
