#STATEtoSundays: Week 8 Update
October 28, 2025 | Football
Montez Sweat continued his strong season by stacking up seven tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack for the Chicago Bears this past weekend.
The former Mississippi State standout finished tied for third on the team in tackles and Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him the third-highest tackling grade in the NFL among edge rushers in Week 8 at 75.6. It was the third sack of the season for Sweat and the 50th of his career.
Sweat also ranks third in pressure grade for the Bears in 2025 at 71.5.
Starkville native Willie Gay Jr. recorded a season-high five tackles in Miami's win at the Falcons. Gay has the highest defensive grade for the Dolphins this year at 79.6 overall while boasting the best coverage grade (78.7) and second-highest tackling grade (81.0).
Gay's tackling and coverage grades rank ninth and 10th among NFL linebackers this season.
Six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay notched four tackles, including one for loss for Pittsburgh.
Elgton Jenkins started at center and logged all 64 offensive snaps as well as seven special teams reps for Green Bay.
Dak Prescott completed 19 of 31 passes for 188 yards and rushed six times for 31 yards for Dallas. Prescott holds the highest offensive grade on the Cowboys in 2025 at 88.5, which also ranks fourth among NFL quarterbacks. He also grades out with the third-highest passing grade among the league's signal callers this season at 87.8.
Jaden Crumedy was inactive in Carolina's loss to the Bills in Week 8 and waived on Tuesday.
DENICO AUTRYÂ | DE | HOUSTON TEXANSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2012-13
Last Week:Â Autry saw action on 15 defensive snaps and one special teams rep in a 26-15 win over the 49ers.
Season:Â two solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, one blocked field goal
STONE BLANTONÂ | LB | SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS |Â AT MSU: 2024
Last Week:Â Blanton was on the practice squad for a 26-15 loss at the Texans.
Season:Â N/A
LOGAN COOKEÂ | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week:Â Bye
Season:Â Punting -Â 30 punts for 1,234 yards (48.0 avg.), long 62
CHARLES CROSSÂ | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week:Â Bye
Season:Â seven games played, seven starts
JADEN CRUMEDYÂ | DT | FREE AGENT |Â AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week:Â Crumedy was not active in Carolina's 40-9 loss to the Bills and was waived on Oct. 28.
Season:Â two assisted tackles
MARTIN EMERSONÂ | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week:Â Emerson was on injured reserve for a 32-13 loss at the Patriots.
Season:Â Out for the season (torn Achilles)
EMMANUEL FORBESÂ | CB | LOS ANGELES RAMSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week:Â Bye
Season:Â 17 tackles (13 solo, four assists), two pass defenses, one forced fumble
WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | MIAMI DOLPHINS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week:Â Gay made a season-high five tackles (one solo, two assists, two special teams solo) in a 34-10 win at the Falcons.
Season:Â eight tackles (four solo, four assists), one tackle for loss
J.T. GRAYÂ | S | DENVER BRONCOSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week:Â Gray was not active in a 44-24 win over the Cowboys.
Season:Â N/A
ELGTON JENKINSÂ | G/C | GREEN BAY PACKERS |Â AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week:Â Jenkins started at center and logged all 64 offensive snaps as well as seven special teams plays in a 35-25 win at the Steelers.
Season:Â seven games played, seven starts
CHRIS JONESÂ | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS |Â AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week:Â Jones started and made one solo tackle in a 28-7 win over the Commanders.
Season:Â 11 tackles (six solo, five assists), five tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries, two sacks, one pass defense
TYRE PHILLIPSÂ | OG | CLEVELAND BROWNS |Â AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week:Â Phillips was on the practice squad for a 32-13 loss at the Patriots.
Season:Â N/A
DAK PRESCOTTÂ | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS |Â AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week:Â Prescott started and completed 19 of 31 passes for 188 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed six times for 31 yards in a 44-24 loss at the Broncos.
Season: Passing - 204 of 290, 2,069 yards, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions Rushing – 25 carries, 87 yards, one touchdown Misc. – one solo tackle, three fumble recoveries
DECAMERION RICHARDSONÂ | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week:Â Bye
Season:Â two solo tackles
JEFFERY SIMMONSÂ | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS |Â AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week:Â Simmons was not active in a 38-14 loss at the Colts.
Season:Â 30 tackles (21 solo, nine assists), eight tackles for loss, 4 1/2 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, one forced fumble
DARIUS SLAYÂ | CB | PITTSBURGH STEELERS |Â AT MSU: 2011-12
Last Week:Â Slay started and made four tackles (two solo, two assists) and one tackle for loss in a 35-25 loss to the Packers.
Season:Â 27 tackles (22 solo, five assists), three pass defenses, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss
PRESTON SMITHÂ | LB | WASHINGTON COMMANDERSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2011-14
Last Week:Â Smith saw action on eight defensive plays in a 28-7 loss at the Chiefs.
Season:Â five tackles (two solo, three assists)
MONTEZ SWEATÂ | DE | CHICAGO BEARSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week:Â Sweat started and tied for third on the team with seven tackles (four solo, three assists), one tackle for loss, one sack and one quarterback hurry in a 30-16 loss at the Ravens.
Season:Â 25 tackles (19 solo, six assists), six tackles for loss, three pass defenses, six quarterback hurries, three sacks, two forced fumbles
NATHANIEL WATSONÂ | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week:Â Watson was on injured reserve for a 32-13 loss at the Patriots.
Season:Â Out for the season (bicep)
TYRUS WHEATÂ | DE | DETROIT LIONSÂ |Â AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week:Â Bye
Season: four tackles (one solo, three assists), one tackle for loss, 1 ½ sacks, one quarterback hurry, one forced fumble
