Mississippi State All Time Team: Defensive Linemen

We’ve still got about two and a half weeks until college football kicks off. So as we approach the season, why not consider who would be on the All Time team if we were compiling one. The school put their own together last year as they were celebrating the 100th anniversary of Scott Field. I have not taken a look at it recently, nor do I plan to. I want this list to be completely something on my own.

We know who the linebackers and defensive backs are. Now we look to the guys who will determine just how easy or hard the guys behind them have to work. A good defensive line can make up for a lot of defenisive sins a team commits. DBs don’t cover well? If the defensive line can get to the quarterback quickly they might not have to spend a bunch of time actually covering. Linebackers aren’t great at pursuing backs or receivers coming over the middle? The defensive line can clog up those holes and force the quarterback to throw quicker than they would like.

To start off our section on the defensive line, we start on the inside and work our way out.

Fletcher Cox
Defensive Tackle

Fletcher Cox was a beast. His draft stock was decent after his sophomore year, but he chose to come back to the Bulldogs in 2011 as a junior, and his draft stock blew up. Most had him as late first round or early second round pick. Then his stock blew up again. The Philadelphia Eagles coveted the defensive tackle and took him with the 12th pick of the Draft in 2012.

Jimmy Webb
Defensive Tackle

Webb was another monster on the defensive line for the Bulldogs. He played for Mississippi State from 1972 through 1974. Webb was rewarded for his stellar play by being named an All American his senior season. The 49ers took Webb with the tenth overall selection of the Draft in 1975.

Tyrone Keys
Defensive End

Tyrone Keys is second all time at Mississippi State with 26 sacks. Keys was a Bulldog from 1977 until 1980 and played an instrumental role in the famous take down of Alabama in 1980. Keys also went on to play in the NFL and was a member of the Super Bowl Champions Bears team in 1985.

Billy Jackson
Defensive End

Billy Jackson has some unreal numbers from his playing time at Mississippi State. He was All SEC for three straight years from 1981 through 1983. He was also an All American in 1981. During his four years, Jackson racked up 49 sacks, which is 12 a year. Somehow or another, Jackson never played in the NFL. I’d love to know the reason if anyone can tell me why.

Feel free to disagree with any of these selections and let me know why in the comments section.