Banks Named Preseason All-American; 4 Bulldogs Named All-SEC
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Mississippi State senior cornerback Johnthan Banks was named to Phil Steele's 2012 Preseason All-American second team, announced by the publication this past week. In addition, junior offensive lineman Gabe Jackson (second team), senior defensive lineman Josh Boyd (third team) and senior linebacker Cameron Lawrence (fourth team) earned 2012 Preseason All-SEC honors.
The only cornerback in the SEC last year to rack up at least 70 tackles and record five interceptions, Banks was named to the 2011 All-SEC second team by the AP and the All-SEC third team by Phil Steele. The Maben, Miss., native was a finalist for the Conerly Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. In addition to his All-American nod, Steele's publication also named Banks to this preseason's defensive All-SEC first-team and All-SEC third-team for special teams.
Jackson was named to the preseason All-SEC second team by the magazine after earning second-team All-SEC honors last year by the AP and Rivals.com. After starting in all 13 games at left guard and leading the offensive line with 67 takedowns, Scout.com also named the offensive lineman a sophomore All-American. As an anchor on the line, Jackson was part of an offensive line that reached the top 10 in school history for season-season marks in passing touchdowns, passing completions, total yards and first downs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Boyd earned the third team nod after registering 51 tackles in 2011. The defensive behemoth made his name behind the line of scrimmage, collecting 8.0 tackles for loss and sacking the opponent's signal caller 4.5 times for a loss of 29 yards.
Behind Boyd was Lawrence, who earned fourth-team honors after being credited with 123 tackles, including 50 solo. The leading returning tackler in the SEC in 2012, Lawrence recorded 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 13 starts for the Maroon and White.
For more information on the All-SEC foursome and the MSU football program, follow the program on Twitter at @MStateFB and like the team on Facebook at Facebook.com/MStateFB.
MSU's Phil Steele Preseason All-Americans
Johnthan Banks - CB - Second Team
MSU's Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC Players
Johnthan Banks - CB - First Team (Defense); Third Team (Special Teams)
Gabe Jackson - OL - Second Team (Offense)
Josh Boyd - DT - Third Team (Defense)
Cameron Lawrence - LB - Fourth Team (Defense)
The only cornerback in the SEC last year to rack up at least 70 tackles and record five interceptions, Banks was named to the 2011 All-SEC second team by the AP and the All-SEC third team by Phil Steele. The Maben, Miss., native was a finalist for the Conerly Trophy and was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. In addition to his All-American nod, Steele's publication also named Banks to this preseason's defensive All-SEC first-team and All-SEC third-team for special teams.
Jackson was named to the preseason All-SEC second team by the magazine after earning second-team All-SEC honors last year by the AP and Rivals.com. After starting in all 13 games at left guard and leading the offensive line with 67 takedowns, Scout.com also named the offensive lineman a sophomore All-American. As an anchor on the line, Jackson was part of an offensive line that reached the top 10 in school history for season-season marks in passing touchdowns, passing completions, total yards and first downs.
On the defensive side of the ball, Boyd earned the third team nod after registering 51 tackles in 2011. The defensive behemoth made his name behind the line of scrimmage, collecting 8.0 tackles for loss and sacking the opponent's signal caller 4.5 times for a loss of 29 yards.
Behind Boyd was Lawrence, who earned fourth-team honors after being credited with 123 tackles, including 50 solo. The leading returning tackler in the SEC in 2012, Lawrence recorded 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two interceptions and one fumble recovery in 13 starts for the Maroon and White.
For more information on the All-SEC foursome and the MSU football program, follow the program on Twitter at @MStateFB and like the team on Facebook at Facebook.com/MStateFB.
MSU's Phil Steele Preseason All-Americans
Johnthan Banks - CB - Second Team
MSU's Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC Players
Johnthan Banks - CB - First Team (Defense); Third Team (Special Teams)
Gabe Jackson - OL - Second Team (Offense)
Josh Boyd - DT - Third Team (Defense)
Cameron Lawrence - LB - Fourth Team (Defense)