![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=300&type=webp)
#STATEtoSundays: Week 18 Preview
January 03, 2026 | Football
There will be plenty of opportunities on the final weekend of the regular season to catch some of your favorite Mississippi State alumni at the next level with 24 Bulldogs currently on NFL rosters, coaching staffs and more.
Among the Bulldogs that have made the move #FromStateToSundays are Pro Bowlers Chris Jones (7x), Darius Slay (6x), Dak Prescott (4x), Jeffery Simmons (4x), Elgton Jenkins (2x), Logan Cooke, J.T. Gray and Montez Sweat.
MSU also has four first-round draft picks in the league in Simmons, Sweat, Charles Cross and Emmanuel Forbes as well as Super Bowl Champions in Jones (3x), Slay and Willie Gay Jr. The Bulldogs also boast the 2016 NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year and 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year in Prescott.
Marcus Banks (Buccaneers), Jaden Crumedy (Panthers) and Tyre Phillips (Browns) are members of the practice squad. Martin Emerson and Nathaniel Watson are on injured reserve for the Browns and will miss the 2025 season.
Jenkins was also placed on injured reserve for the Packers following Week 10. Slay was claimed off waivers by Buffalo in early December but is currently on the reserve/did not report list.
Several other State alums are making an impact on the sidelines and beyond throughout the NFL. Stephen Adegoke is the safeties coach for the Houston Texans and Fred Walker is working as an offensive assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champ K.J. Wright is in his second year as the defensive quality control coach for the San Francisco 49ers while fellow linebacker DeAndre Ward serves as the assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dr. Allen Sills also holds the distinction of being the NFL's chief medical officer.
Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9) | 3:30 p.m. ESPN
S J.T. Gray (TB)
Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4) | 7 p.m. ESPN
OT Charles Cross (SEA)
Indianapolis Colts (8-8) at Houston Texans (11-5) | 12 p.m. CBS
DE Denico Autry (HOU)
Tennessee Titans (3-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4) | 12 p.m. FOX
P Logan Cooke (JAX)
DT Jeffery Simmons (TEN)
Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) at New York Giants (3-13) | 12 p.m. FOX
QB Dak Prescott (DAL)
Detroit Lions (8-8) at Chicago Bears (11-5) | 3:25 p.m. FOX
DE Montez Sweat (CHI)
DE Tyrus Wheat (DET)
Arizona Cardinals (3-13) at Los Angeles Rams (11-5) | 3:25 p.m. FOX
CB Emmanuel Forbes (LAR)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) at Las Vegas Raiders (2-14) | 3:25 p.m. CBS
DT Chris Jones (KC)
CB Decamerion Richardson (LV)
Miami Dolphins (7-9) at New England Patriots (13-3) | 3:25 p.m. FOX
LB Willie Gay Jr. (MIA)
Washington Commanders (4-12) at Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) | 3:25 p.m. CBS
DE Preston Smith (WAS)
