#STATEtoSundays: Week 1 Update

Sep 7, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) sacks Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) in the first half at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Photo by: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

#STATEtoSundays: Week 1 Update

September 09, 2025 | Football

By: Logan Lowery, Assistant Director/Communications

Jeffery Simmons showcased why he is one of the most dominant defensive tackles in the NFL during Week 1.

The former Mississippi State standout and three-time Pro Bowler notched four tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries and forced a fumble during the Tennessee Titans' opener. Pro Football Focus (PFF) awarded Simmons the top pressure grade on the team (83.1), which also ranked second among all interior defenders in the league.

Montez Sweat also made an impact in the backfield, recording a pair of stops for loss for the Bears. Chris Jones notched two tackles and earned the top defensive grade for the Chiefs during their game in Brazil.

Jaden Crumedy was signed off the Panthers' practice squad and played 16 defensive snaps in the opener to finish with the third-best pressure grade on the team.

Dak Prescott and the Cowboys kicked off the 2025 season last Thursday. Prescott completed 21 of 34 passes for 188 yards and earned the No. 2 offensive grade among NFL quarterbacks at 90.0, which also led Dallas in that category. The three-time Pro Bowler also received the third-highest passing grade in the league at 86.1 in his return from a hamstring injury that had sidelined him since Week 9 last year.

Charles Cross continues to rise as one of the NFL's top left tackles. The former first-round pick played all 52 offensive snaps for Seattle and posted the second-highest pass blocking grade in the league (88.7), regardless of position. Cross' offensive grade of 79.7 ranked second on the Seahawks and sixth among NFL tackles. He also led the team in run and pass blocking grades.

Elgton Jenkins made his return to the center position and played all 48 offensive snaps for Green Bay. PFF gave Jenkins the second-highest run blocking grade among Packers' offensive linemen.

Logan Cooke, a 2024 Pro Bowler, punted twice on opening weekend and currently leads the NFL with a 55.5 punting average. Since net punting became an official stat in 1976, Cooke's 43.5 yard average is the best in the league's history.

DENICO AUTRY | DE | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2012-13
Last Week: Autry was on the physically unable to perform list for a 14-9 loss at the Rams.
Season: N/A

LOGAN COOKE | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Cooke punted twice for 111 yards (55.5 avg.) with a long of 57 yards in a 26-10 win over the Panthers.
Season: Punting - two punts for 111 yards (55.5 avg.), long 57

CHARLES CROSS | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Cross started at left tackle in a 17-13 loss to the 49ers.
Season: one game played, one start

JADEN CRUMEDY | DT | CAROLINA PANTHERS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Crumedy was signed off the practice squad and played 16 snaps in a 26-10 loss at the Jaguars.
Season: one game played

MARTIN EMERSON | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Emerson was on injured reserve for a 17-16 loss to the Bengals.
Season: Out for the season (torn Achilles)

EMMANUEL FORBES | CB | LOS ANGELES RAMS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Forbes started and made three tackles (two solo, one assist) in a 14-9 win over the Texans.
Season: three tackles (two solo, one assist)

WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | MIAMI DOLPHINS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week: Gay saw action on nine special teams plays in a 33-8 loss at the Colts.
Season: one game played

J.T. GRAY | S | BALTIMORE RAVENS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Gray was on the practice squad for a 41-40 loss at the Bills.
Season: N/A

ELGTON JENKINS | G/C | GREEN BAY PACKERS | AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week: Jenkins started at center and played all 48 offensive snaps in a 27-14 win over the Lions.
Season: one game played, one start

CHRIS JONES | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week: Jones started and made two assisted tackles in a 27-21 loss to the Chargers in Brazil.
Season: two assisted tackles

DAK PRESCOTT | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week: Prescott started and completed 21 of 34 passes for 188 yards. He also rushed once for 3 yards and made a solo tackle in a 24-20 loss at the Eagles.
Season: Passing - 21 of 34, 188 yards Rushing – one carry, 3 yards Misc. – one solo tackle

DECAMERION RICHARDSON | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Richardson made one solo tackle on special teams in a 23-13 win at the Patriots.
Season: one solo tackle

JEFFERY SIMMONS | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS | AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week: Simmons started and made four tackles (three solo, one assist), one tackle for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries and forced a fumble in a 20-12 loss at the Broncos.
Season: four tackles (three solo, one assist), one tackle for loss, one sack, four quarterback hurries, one forced fumble

DARIUS SLAY | CB | PITTSBURGH STEELERS | AT MSU: 2011-12
Last Week: Slay started and made five solo tackles in a 34-32 win at the Jets.
Season: five solo tackles

MONTEZ SWEAT | DE | CHICAGO BEARS | AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week: Sweat started and made two solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a pass defense in a 27-24 loss to the Vikings.
Season: two solo tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass defense

NATHANIEL WATSON | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Watson was on injured reserve for a 17-16 loss to the Bengals.
Season: Out for the season (bicep)

TYRUS WHEAT | DE | DETROIT LIONS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Wheat was inactive for a 27-13 loss at the Packers.
Season: N/A