#STATEtoSundays: Wild Card Update
January 13, 2026 | Football
Eight former Mississippi State standouts remain alive in the NFL Playoffs following Wild Card Weekend.
Emmanuel Forbes had a solid outing in the Los Angeles Rams' 34-31 road win at Carolina. Forbes finished tied for third on the team with six tackles and earned the third-highest tackle grade (79.5) in the league among cornerbacks.
PFF also rated Forbes with the No. 3 grade in run defense (71.7) and coverage (70.6) on the Rams this past weekend.
Houston has the most former Bulldogs on its roster and advanced to the AFC Divisional Round following a 30-6 victory at Pittsburgh. Defensive end Denico Autry acquired a half-sack for the Texans while rookie running back Jo'Quavious "Woody" Marks ran for a career-high 112 yards and a touchdown on 19 attempts.
It was the first time in Marks' short career that he was eclipsed the century mark on the ground. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him the highest running grade of any tailback in the NFL during Wild Card Weekend at 79.2.
Defensive end Montez Sweat provided three assisted tackles, three quarterback hurries and a pass defense to aid Chicago's efforts in a 31-27 comeback win against Green Bay. The former first round pick and Pro Bowler earned the third-best pressure grade on the Bears' defense during that contest.
Logan Cooke averaged 50 yards on a pair of punts during Jacksonville's 27-24 home loss to Buffalo. Cooke connected on a 58-yarder that he pinned at the Bills 6-yard line on the opening drive of the game.
Seattle starting left tackle Charles Cross and the rest of the Seahawks enjoyed a first-round bye and will meet the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Round this week.
DENICO AUTRY | DE | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2012-13
Last Week: Autry made one assisted tackle, a half-sack, two quarterback hurries and two pass defenses in a 30-6 win at the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card.
Postseason: one assisted tackle, 0.5 sack, two quarterback hurries, two pass defenses
Regular Season: eight tackles (five solo, three assists), three tackles for loss, 3 1/2 sacks, four quarterback hurries, one pass defense, one forced fumble, two blocked field goals
MARCUS BANKS | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | AT MSU: 2022-23
Last Week: Season complete
Season: three games played
STONE BLANTON | LB | FREE AGENT | AT MSU: 2024
Last Week: Blanton was released from the 49ers practice squad on Nov. 26.
Season: N/A
LOGAN COOKE | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Cooke punted twice for 100 yards (50 avg.) with a long of 58 yards in a 27-24 loss to the Bills in the AFC Wild Card.
Postseason: Two punts, 50 yards (50 avg.), long 58
Regular Season: Punting – 60 punts for 2,878 yards (48.0 avg.), long 68 Misc. – one solo tackle
CHARLES CROSS | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Bye
Regular Season: 14 games played, 14 starts
JADEN CRUMEDY | DT | CAROLINA PANTEHRS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Crumedy was on the practice squad for a 34-31 loss to the Rams in the NFC Wild Card.
Regular Season: two assisted tackles
MARTIN EMERSON | CB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Season complete.
Season: Missed the 2025 season with a torn Achilles
EMMANUEL FORBES | CB | LOS ANGELES RAMS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Forbes started and finished tied for third on the team with six tackles (three solo, three assists) in a 34-31 win at the Panthers in the NFC Wild Card.
Postseason: six tackles (three solo, three assists)
Regular Season: 45 tackles (32 solo, 13 assists), 18 pass defenses, one forced fumble, three interceptions
WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | MIAMI DOLPHINS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 20 tackles (10 solo, 10 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, two pass defenses
J.T. GRAY | S | TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Season complete
Season: one assisted tackle
ELGTON JENKINS | G/C | GREEN BAY PACKERS | AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week: Jenkins was on injured reserve (fractured lower left leg) for a 31-27 loss at the Bears in the NFC Wild Card.
Season: nine games played, nine starts
CHRIS JONES | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 29 tackles (15 solo, 14 assists), 12 tackles for loss, 24 quarterback hurries, seven sacks, two pass defenses
JO'QUAVIOUS "WOODY" MARKS | RB | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Marks started and rushed 19 times for 112 yards and one touchdown in a 30-6 win at the Steelers in the AFC Wild Card.
Postseason: 19 carries, 112 yards, one touchdown
Regular Season: Rushing – 196 carries, 703 yards, two touchdowns Receiving – 24 catches, 208 yards, three touchdowns
TYRE PHILLIPS | OG | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Phillips spent the season on the Browns' practice squad.
DAK PRESCOTT | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Passing - 404 of 600, 4,552 yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions Rushing – 53 carries, 177 yards, two touchdowns Misc. – two solo tackles, three fumble recoveries
DECAMERION RICHARDSON | CB | LAS VEGAS RAIDERS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 11 tackles (nine solo, two assists)
JEFFERY SIMMONS | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS | AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Defense - 67 tackles (39 solo, 28 assists), 18 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, three pass defenses, one safety Receiving – one catch, 1 yard, one touchdown
DARIUS SLAY | CB | BUFFALO BILLS | AT MSU: 2011-12
Last Week: Slay was on the reserve/did not report list for a 27-24 win at the Jaguars in the AFC Wild Card.
Season: 36 tackles (28 solo, eight assists), three pass defenses, one fumble recovery, one tackle for loss
PRESTON SMITH | DE | WASHINGTON COMMANDERS | AT MSU: 2011-14
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 24 tackles (eight solo, 16 assists), six quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss, one pass defense, 0.5 sack
MONTEZ SWEAT | DE | CHICAGO BEARS | AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week: Sweat started and made three assisted tackles, three quarterback hurries and one pass defense in a 31-27 win over the Packers in the NFC Wild Card.
Postseason: three assisted tackles, three quarterback hurries, one pass defense
Regular Season: 52 tackles (37 solo, 15 assists), 13 tackles for loss, seven pass defenses, 17 quarterback hurries, 10 sacks, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery
NATHANIEL WATSON | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Season complete
Season: Watson missed the 2025 season due to a bicep injury.
TYRUS WHEAT | DE | DETROIT LIONS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Season complete
Season: 14 tackles (six solo, eight assists), one tackle for loss, 1 ½ sacks, two quarterback hurries, one forced fumble, one pass defense
![Jacksonville Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) punts during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Jets 48-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images.sidearmdev.com/resize?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdxbhsrqyrr690.cloudfront.net%2Fsidearm.nextgen.sites%2Fmsstate.sidearmsports.com%2Fimages%2F2026%2F1%2F1%2FUSATSI_27828199.jpg&height=340&type=webp)
