Mississippi State Football: Compiling the All-Time Bulldogs Team

Which Mississippi State football players have been the best of the best? Here is our picks for the Mississippi State all-time team, complete with a 2 deep roster. rnWe spend three months of our lives devoting much of our sanity to Mississippi State football. We live and die with the triumphs and mishaps of our team. With the exception of the bowl game, we have to wait nine months to get the sport we all love back to us.rnrnDuring the waiting time is always good to think about the program and its history. So I have compiled a two deep roster of every position and put the best of the best on it.rnrnThe list is certainly heavy on players from the Jackie Sherril era to the present. Part of that is those are the players I am most familiar with, while the other part is a result of the past 25 years being the most successful and most consistent era of Mississippi State football in the history of the program. And that is factoring in the woeful Croom years.rnrnI'm sure everyone won't agree with my list. Some positions are obviously closer than others. Mississippi State might not have the deepest historyrnrnI start my way from the back to the front on the defensive side of the ball. Then, I went from front to back on the offense. So that means the Free Safety is the first up on the list.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Safeties%20" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60118" align="alignright" width="1600"] Tennessee wide receiver Alton Howard (2) runs the ball on a Wildcat play as Mississippi State defensive back Nickoe Whitley (5) defends at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012. (ADAM BRIMER/NEWS SENTINEL)[/caption]rn 1st Team Free Safety: Nickoe Whitley rnOne of the areas Mississippi State is not particularly deep at in the program's history is safety. When researching through a list of potential players, Nickoe Whitley was the only one that really stood out to me.rnrnWhitley's 13 interceptions still rank among high in school history. Whitley was also know for laying the lumber. He recorded 150 tackles in his four years as a Bulldog.rn 2nd Team Free Safety: Frank Dowsing rnI honestly don't know if Frank Dowsing was a free safety or a strong safety. Players in the defensive backfield get listed simply as DBs. Since I need someone for the second team, I'm making him a Free Safety.rn rnrnHad Frank Dowsing been able to play as a freshman in 1969, his name might be further up the record books for career interceptions. As it is, he stands tied for 8th with 10 INTs playing from 1970-72.rnrnMississippi State’s first black football players joined the team in 1969 and Dowsing was one of them. He went on to have a stellar career as a cornerback, earning all-SEC honors twice, and being named an All-American in 1972.rnrnIt should also be noted that Dowsing was the first African American to be named Mr. MSU by the student body.rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60119" align="alignright" width="3200"] Oct 12, 2019; Knoxville, TN, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs helmets on the sideline of a game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports[/caption]rn 1st Team Strong Safety: Stan Black rnI have somewhat the same issue with Stan Black as I did with Frank Dowsing. I know he played safety, but I don't know if it was free safety or strong safety. So for the purposes of this team, I'm moving him to strong safety.rn rnrnStan Black played from 1973-76 as a safety. He was named All-SEC twice, and an All-American in 1976.rnrnYou won’t find Black’s name littered across the MSU record books, but he was a solid as they come. He was once of the centerpieces for two 9-win teams (1974, 76).rn 2nd Team Strong Safety: Pig Prather rnPig Prather had all kinds of issues off the field. Those issues ultimately left him without an NFL Career. But this list isn't about bone headed decisions away from football. It's about how the players produced on the field.rnrnPrather was one of the hardest hitting players in Mississippi State history. His style of play might be penalized heavily in today's game. Prather was a DOG Safety under Joe Lee Dunn, and it was a cross between a linebacker and a safety, but was closer aligned to safety, so he goes here at Strong Safety.rnrnThe number Prather put up don't jump out at you. He only had four interceptions in his three years playing defensive back. What did jump out at you were the vicious hits he liad on running backs emerging out of the backfield.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Corners" /]rnrn rn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60121" align="alignright" width="1600"] STARKVILLE, MS - OCTOBER 20: Johnthan Banks #13 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs is helped off the field following an injury during a game against the Middle Tennessee State Blue Radiers on October 20, 2012 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi State would win the game 45-3. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 1st Team: Johnthan Banks rnFor my take, Banks has to be on this list. He is the only Bulldog to win the national award for being the best at his position. Banks won the 2012 Jim Thorpe award for best defensive back in college football, and that alone means he needs to be on the All Time team.rnrnBanks was great in coverage, which is proven by his 15 interceptions in four years. But he was a complete player as well. Banks had 139 tackles in his four seasons to go along with 5 forced fumbles.rn 2nd Team: Fred Smoot rnIt pains me to put Smoot on the second team, but he didn't have the same length of time to put up the same types of numbers as the player who gets the first team nod on the opposite side.rnrnSmoot was still great. Fred Smoot had 10 interceptions in two seasons at Mississippi State. He also didn't shy away from hits. he modeled much of what he did after Deion Sanders, except when it came to hitting the opposing receiver. Smoot loved to bring a heavy stcik when making a tackle.rnrn[caption id="attachment_60006" align="alignright" width="3200"] Darius Slay #9 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 1st Team: Walt Harris rn rnrnWalt Harris played at Mississippi State from 1992-95. He broke the record for all-time interceptions with 16, which stood for 17 years until he was tied.rnrnHarris was a lock-down cornerback who played on some decent Jackie Sherrill teams. He ultimately was drafted in the 1st round of the NFL draft and played 15 years of pro football.rnrnHe was a three-time all-SEC selection and named an All-American in 1995.rn 2nd Team: Darius Slay rnDarius Slay might be the most unheralded great player to ever put on Maroon and White. He had a stellar two years in his time at Starkville.rnrnWhen Slay lined up on the opposite side of Johnthan Banks, teams tried to pick on Slay because Banks was such a heralded player while in college. Slay took full advantage of it his senior season and intercepted six passes. He was a JUCO transfer, and took advantage of his two years in the SEC. His production at cornerback led the Detroit Lions to select him in the second round, ahead of the Jim Thorpe Award winner Johnthan Banks.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Linebackers" /]rnrn rn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60122" align="alignright" width="1600"] STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 08: Benardrick McKinney #50 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs rushes the passer during a game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Davis Wade Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi State won the game 45-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 1st Team: Mario Haggan rnLinebacker has some of the same problems that defensive backs have. I don't know which side of the field they played on, and I also don't have a solid list of who played on the inside and who played on the outside. So I'm just going to put the top 6 in my opinion on the team and go from there.rn rnrnHaggan played at Mississippi State from 1997-2000, and is the 8th leading tackler in school history with 359. He was named an All-American in 2000.rnrnJoe Lee Dunn’s defenses during Haggan’s career were some of the best in MSU history, if not the best. Haggan was right there in the middle of the action as a starter in 1999 and 2000.rnrnMario went on to find success in the NFL where he played for the Bills, Broncos and Rams during a 10-year career.rn 2nd Team: Barrin Simpson rnIf Simpson had been bigger, he probably would have played in the NFL. Unfortunately, most NFL coaches don’t values guys who aren’t 6’0″ that much at linebacker.rnrnSimpson was beast playing under Joe Lee Dunn. He racked up huge tackle numbers year after year, and it landed Simpson in the CFL where he played for 11 years. For someone who had the size limitations Barrin Simpson had, he had an amazing career.rnrn rn Aug 15, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Benardrick McKinney (55) in action against the San Francisco 49ers in a preseason NFL football game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sportsrn 1st Team: Johnnie Cooks rn rnrnJohnie Cooks is one of the most special athletes to ever put on a Mississippi State uniform. The fact that his teams excelled so much gave him the nod as the top linebacker. He played from 1977-81 where he amassed 392 tackles – good for 5th all time.rnrnHe was a monster in maroon, especially during his junior and senior seasons when the Bulldogs managed back-to-back bowl games and a 17-7 combined record. He was there to anchor the 1980 defense when State beat #1 Alabama.rnrnCooks stands as the highest any MSU player has ever been drafted into the NFL when he was selected as the 2nd overall pick in 1982 by the Baltimore Colts. He had a successful pro career, playing 10 seasons and winning a Superbowl with the New York Giants.rn 2nd Team: Benardrick McKinney rnMcKinney will not go down as one of the best all time tacklers in the history of the school. His numbers are hampered because the defensive scheme Mullen and Collins used while McKinney was playing rotated players frequently.rnrnHe was still one the best players on the defensive side of the ball when he was on the field. McKinney was eventually drafted in the second round by the Houston Texans.rnrn rn 1st Team: DD Lewis rn rnrnLewis played at Mississippi State from 1965-1967. If freshman could have played in those days he would have been great for four years, because he was tremendous in the three years he did play.rnrnIn 1967 he was named an All-American and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. No one was better than DD Lewis at the time. Unfortunately, MSU did not have any good teams during his time in maroon. The Bulldogs were just 7-23 in his three seasons.rnrnLewis has been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. After he left State he played for the Dallas Cowboys, winning two Superbowls in his 14 years with the team.rn 2nd Team: Ray Costict rn rnrnMSU’s all-time leading tackler is Ray Costict with 467 career stops. He played for the Bulldogs from 1973-76. He was an All-American as a senior.rnrnDuring Costict’s career, State went 28-14-3 (although adjusted to 15-28-2 by the NCAA). He was the centerpiece to some solid defenses posting some incredibly consistent numbers with 156, 155 and 156 tackles in 1974, ’75 and ’76 respectively.rnrnRay went on to play in the NFL for three years with the New England Patriots.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Defensive%20Ends" /]rnrn rn rn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60124" align="alignright" width="1600"] JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Pernell McPhee #90 of Mississippi State tackles Fitzgerald Toussaint # 28 of the Michigan Wolverines during the Gator Bowl at EverBank Field on January 1, 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida (Photo by Rick Dole/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 1st Team: Billy Jackson rnBilly 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.rnrnSomehow or another, Jackson never played in the NFL. I’d love to know the reason if anyone can tell me why. Was it a size issue? The numbers are just staggering and it appears he never had a chance to make an NFL roster.rn 2nd Team: Preston Smith rn rnrnPreston Smith is another member of one of the most successful recruiting classes in Mississippi State history. The 2011 class was ranked lower than all but one class Dan Mullen has signed.rnrnClose to the bottom of that class was Preston Smith. Smith was yet another two star prospect, and he didn’t attract much attention when he signed with the Bulldogs.rnrnHe did attract a lot of attention from offensive coordinators though once he took the field. Smith had good years for the Bulldogs his Sophomore and Junior seasons, and contemplated an early leap to the NFL. Most thought he would be a late round pick after his Junior season.rnrnPreston Smith decided to come back for his Senior year, and he capitalized. Smith had 7 sacks before 2014. He increased his career number to 16 with 9 more sacks in 2014 and even intercepted two passes as well. Preston Smith was named the Defensive Lineman of the week in the SEC the first three weeks of 2014. All of his hard work paid off as he was drafted in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.rnrnNot bad for a 2 star afterthought.rnrn rn 1st Team: Tyrone Keys rnTyrone 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.rn 2nd Team: Pernell McPhee rnMcPhee, who played for the Bulldogs in 2009 and 2010, helped anchor a Bulldog defense that was one of the better units in the SEC in 2010 under Manny Diaz in his first stint as Bulldogs defensive coordinator.rnrnMcPhee tallied 91-tackles and seven sacks while in Starkville and can be credited with helping turn the Bulldog football program around and helping make State what it is today.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Defensive%20Tackles" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60125" align="alignright" width="1600"] STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 12: quarterback AJ McCarron #10 of the Alabama Crimson Tide scrambles away from pressure from defensive lineman Fletcher Cox #94 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs on November 12, 2011 at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi. Alabama won 24-7. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 1st Team: Jimmy Webb rnWebb 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.rn 2nd Team: Willie Evans rnEvans was a great player in his own right. Heck, he might have been good enough to be 1st team. The reason he isn't is simply because I can't figure out if he was a defensive end or if he was a defensive tackle. Regardless, he deserved a spot on this team somewhere, so I put him at tackle for the 2nd Team.rnrnWillie Evans played for some really bad teams he caught the tail end of the Jackie Sherrill years and the very beginning of the Sylvester Croom era. But despite the terrible football being played around him, he was able to shine.rnrnEvans is third in school history with 24.5 sacks in his career. The 15 sacks he recorded as a senior in 2005 is good for second most in a season by a Mississippi State player.rn 1st Team: Fletcher Cox rnFletcher 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.rn 2nd Team: Greg Favors rnFavors gets the same treatment as Willie Evans did. I'm relatively certain he played on the outside, but he was too good to leave off of the All time team, especially since I am going two deep on it.rnrnMost of the damage Greg Favors did in his time at Mississippi State came during his junior season. Favors recorded 19.5 sacks in his career in Starkville, but 12.5 of those sacks came during his junior season in 1996. Did he play on the inside or did he play on the outside? Who cares. He was a beast that deserves a spot on this team.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Offensive%20Tackles" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60126" align="alignright" width="1600"] DETROIT, MI - NOVEMBER 24: Derek Sherrod #78 of the Green Bay Packers watches the action from the sidelines during game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 24, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. The Packers defeated the Lions 27-15. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Left Offensive Tackle: Derek Sherrod rnI'm cheating on the offensive line and tight end. Finding the best offensive linemen is hard enough since there are no records and such for them, but tight ends is just as hard because they often don't rack up the huge numbers like a receiver does. As a result, I'm just putting one guy for each position.rnrnSherrod was a key component to the resurgence by Mississippi State after Dan Mullen was hired to lead the football program. In 2009, Mullen implemented a run heavy scheme which saw Anthony Dixon become arguably the best running back in the conference that same year. nrnIn 2010, behind the running of Vick Ballard and Chris Relf, the Bulldogs surged back to a 9-4 record which was capped off with wins in the Egg Bowl and Gator Bowl. Sherrod was then drafted in the first round of the 2011 Draft by the Green Bay Packers. His professional career has been marred by injuries, but he is trying to jump start it with Kansas City Chiefs in 2015.rn Right Offensive Tackle: Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack rnPork Chop had to be on this team. Why? BECAUSE HOW ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE A PLAYER OFF NAMED PORK CHOP?!?!rnrnSeriously, Pork Chop Womack was one of the best to ever play along the line for Mississippi State. And he might have been a guard, I honestly don’t remember, but I want him on my team. So I’m putting him at Tackle for the purpose of this post. Womack went on to play in the NFL after his time as a Bulldog.rnrnHe played for the Seahawks who drafted him from 2001 until 2008. He then played two years for the Cleveland Browns. Womack probably would have had a much more illustrious career at the pro level, but he was constantly fighting off injuries.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Offensive%20Guards" /]rnrn[caption id="attachment_60127" align="alignright" width="3200"] LITTLE ROCK, AR - NOVEMBER 23: Gabe Jackson #61 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs blocks during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at War Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2013 in Little Rock, Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated the Razorbacks 24-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Left Offensive Guard: Randy Thomas rnThomas only played for two seasons at Mississippi State, but he made quite an impression in those two years. Thomas was part of a trend during the Jackie Sherrill days of finding top notch JUCO talent and inserting them to play quality minutes in the SEC. Maybe Dan Mullen can start doing the same.rnrnRandy Thomas was named 1st team All SEC in 1998. Thomas was drafted by the New York Jets in 1999 in the second round of the draft. He played a total of 11 seasons with the Jets and Washington Redskins.rnrn November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is congratulated by guard Gabe Jackson (66) after throwing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sportsrn Right Offensive Guard: Gabe Jackson rnGabe Jackson has often been described in two words: Road Grater. Jackson contemplated an early leap to the NFL after the 2012 season. He likely would have been drafted, but it would have been in the late rounds. Jackson used the 2013 season to improve and watched his draft stock go up as well.rnrnHe was drafted in the third round of the NFL Draft in 2014 by the Oakland Raiders. Jackson was a starter for the Raiders during his rookie season, and many who cover the NFL consider him to be one of the best young offensive linemen in the league.rn rnrnJackson is one of the players the Raiders are now rebuilding their franchise around. Quarteback Derek Carr needs protection up the middle, and Jackson not only held his own, but thrived against many of the NFL’s best. He was considered by many to be one of the best rookie offensive linemen in the league in 2014.rnrnAssuming there are no injury problems, Jackson is going to be around for a ling time for the Raiders. He is on a very cap friendly deal since he is playing under his rookie contract. But it shouldn’t be too long before Jackson sees a big payday for all he has done on the Raiders’ offensive line.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Center" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60128" align="alignright" width="3200"] PITTSBURGH - SEPTEMBER 16: Center Kent Hull #67 of the Buffalo Bills turns to guard Jerry Ostroski #60 during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Three Rivers Stadium on September 16, 1996 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Center: Kent Hull rnKent Hull was a legend at Mississippi State. He was such a great offensive lineman, when the state of Mississippi decided to start honoring the best lineman in the state, the award was named after him. Hull started his professional career with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL before joining the Buffalo Bills in 1986 and was an immediate starter. Hull would have a long and productive career that included four consecutive appearances in the Super Bowl from 1990 until 1993.rnrnSadly, Hull passed away at the very young age of 50 in 2011. He died from a gastrointestinal bleed that stemmed from chronic liver disease.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Tight%20End" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60130" align="alignright" width="1600"] ATLANTA - DECEMBER 22: Tight end Reggie Kelly #89 of the Atlanta Falcons is helped off the field by teammates Kynan Forney #65 and Alge Crumpler #83 during the NFL game against the Detroit Lions at the Georgia Dome on December 22, 2002 in Atlanta, Georgia. The Falcons defeated the Lions 36-15. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)[/caption]rn Tight End: Reggie Kelly rnReggie Kelly will not wow you with his reception or touchdown numbers. Kelly was a big tight end who could provide the blocking the Bulldogs needed to pound the ball on the ground.rnrnLed by the offensive line and Reggie Kelly’s blocking, J.J. Johnson had one of the best seasons for any Mississippi State running back. Johnson’s 1,381 rushing yards for the season is the second most for any Mississippi State running back. Kelly was a big reason why.rnrnKelly was drafted in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft in 1999 by the Atlanta Falcons. He played for 12 seasons with the Falcons and Bengals before retiring after the 2011 season.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Wide%20Receiver" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60131" align="alignright" width="1600"] 24 Sep 1994: Wide receiver Eric Moulds #1 of the Mississppi State Bulldogs avoids cornerback Terry Fair #13 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the Bulldogs 24-21 vcitory over the Volunteers at Scott Field in Starkville, Mississppi. Mandatory Credit: Jonat[/caption]rn 1st Team: Eric Moulds rn rnrnMoulds is arguably the most talented player to ever come to Mississippi State as a wide receiver. He only played three seasons for Mississippi State because he declared himself eligible for the NFL draft after his junior season in 1995.rnrnEric Moulds ranks 4th all time in school history for receiving yards with 2,022, 6th for receptions with 118, and 2nd for touchdowns with 17. He added considerable value to the team as a kick returner as well. in 1994, he was the NCAA leader for kickoff returns with a 32.8 yard average for each return.rnrnThe Buffalo Bills would take Moulds with the 24th overall selection in the 1996 NFL Draft. He is the only Mississippi State receiver to ever be drafted in the first round. Moulds had one of the best careers in the NFL for former Bulldogs.rnrnHe played 12 seasons in the league, 10 of which were with the Bills. During his career with the Bills, he was selected to three Pro Bowls and named to three All Pro teams. He was the first Buffalo Bill to have more than 100 receptions in 2002 and was named to the Buffalo Bills 50th Anniversary team.rn 2nd Team: David Smith rn rnrnSmith played on the same teams as Milner from 1968 through 1970. What makes the career of Smith so impressive is he spent his first year playing as a running back. Despite that, he is still one of the most accomplished receivers for the Bulldogs.rnrnSmith’s reception total of 162 is still the school record. His 2,168 receiving is still good for third on the all time list for the Bulldogs. He caught 12 touchdown passes in the three years he played. His 1970 season of 74 receptions and 987 receiving yards are still second best for a receiver at Mississippi State.rnrn rn rn 1st Team: Mardye McDole rn rnrnMcDole played for the Bulldogs from 1977 through 1980. He was the best receiver on the team at that time and is easily one of Mississippi State’s best ever to play the wideout.rnrnWhen he left Mississippi State, McDole held the school record for career receiving yards with 2,214. That number is still good for second on the career receiving yards list today. McDole is still the only receiver in Bulldog history to have a 1,000 yard season.rnrnHe caught 116 passes over those four years and his yards per catch average of 19.1 is fifth all time at the school for players who caught at least 40 passes in their careers.rnrnHis production led the Minnesota Vikings to draft McDole with the 39th overall pick in the 1981 NFL Draft.rn 2nd Team: Sammy Milner rn rnrnMilner played for the Bulldogs from 1968 through 1970. Freshmen weren’t allowed to play during this time, or he might have racked up even bigger numbers. Even without the extra year, he still had a nice career as a Bulldog.rnrnMilner is 6th on the all time list for receiving yards with 1,806. He also clocks in at third on the all time list for receptions with 146 in his three seasons playing for the Bulldogs. To top it off, Milner caught 11 touchdowns as a Bulldog.rnrn rn rn 1st Team: Chad Bumphis rn rnrnBumphis was the first top notch prospect that Dan Mullen brought in to upgrade the wide receiver position at Mississippi State. He made an immediate impact and played as a true freshman. Bumphis was a four year starter and helped usher in a new era of passing for the Bulldogs.rnrnBumphis left Mississippi State with a few school record that are still in tact. He holds the record for most receiving yards, (2,270) receptions, touchdowns (24) and is second for most receptions (159).rnrnBumphis showed what he was capable of his senior season with a more polished passer throwing to him. During his senior season and Tyler Russell’s first season as a starter, the two put up some big numbers. In 2012, Bumphis caught 58 passes for 922 yards and 12 touchdowns. Bumphis is still the only receiver in school history to catch 10 or more touchdowns in a single season.rn 2nd Team: Jameon Lewis rnLewis might have been able to give Bumnphis a run for his money had he not suffered a few injuries his senior season. The injuries hampered what was an otherwise stellar career.rnrnMost of the accomplishments Jameon Lewis did in the slot for Mississippi State happened in his junior season. His 64 receptions in 2013 are good for 3rd all time at the school. He also had 923 receiving yards that same season which is the fifth best total in the school's history.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Running%20Back" /]rnrn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60132" align="alignright" width="3200"] STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 18: Running back Anthony Dixon #24 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs looks to the sidelines during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Davis Wade Stadium on November 18, 2006 in Starkville, Mississippi. Arkansas won 28-14. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 1st Team: Anthony Dixon rn rnrnAnthony Dixon didn’t always get the job done in a very pretty fashion, but there was never any player who got it done more consistently than Anthony “Boobie” Dixon.rnrnAnthony Dixon was the very definition of a work horse running back. He leads the school with 910 career rushing attempts. The next closest is a very distant second place by Michael Davis with 578. The Bulldogs had very little offense outside of Anthony Dixon when he played, so it is understandable why the ball was often in his hands.rnrnHis freshman season was 2006 and was year number 3 of the Croom era. Jerious Norwood had just graduated and headed to the NFL, so someone was going to need to pick up the slack. Boobie was the man for the job. His freshman season he ran the ball 169 times for 668 yards.rnrnIn his Sophomore season, Dixon helped lead the Bulldogs to their only bowl under Sylvester Croom. He ran the ball 287 times, still a school record, for 1,066 yards and 14 touchdowns. His success was slowed down in 2008 just like it was for the entire Bulldog team. He ran for 869 yards his Junior season.rnrnIn the only year that Dixon would play for Dan Mullen, Dixon thrived like he never had under Croom. Despite a one game suspension that Dixon served in the season opener, Boobie managed to set the school record for yards in a single season with 1,391 in 2009. He averaged 125 yards each game and shattered the career rushing record for yards with 3,994. He holds the record for career rushing touchdowns with 42, 13 more than Vick Ballard who is second on the list.rnrnDixon was drafted in the sixth round of the NFL draft in 2010 by the San Francisco Forty-Niners. He played with them every year in the league until the most recent season. In the 2014 free agent period, he signed on with the Buffalo Bills.rn 2nd Team: Tom "Shorty" McWilliams rn rnrnI had Jerious Norwood pegged to go on the second team, and then my co-editor Josh Barnhill made me aware of this post from FWtCT . This is an example of the players from long ago having their stats buried by players having more games to rack up bigger numbers.rnrnI left Dixon on the First Team simply because the running back who holds the career rushing yards record and rushing touchdowns record needs to stay at the top. But you could reasonably argue McWilliams deserves to be there.rnrnHis career numbers won't impress you. Once again, they only played 8 or 9 games back during this era, which lasted from 1944 through 1948 (he played a season with Army, they allowed players to have more than four years of eligibility then). He had 1,808 career rushing yards, over 2,000 less than Dixon.rnrnBut his accolades are as great as anyone who ever played. He was All SEC every season he played at Mississippi State, and Second Team All American his freshman season. The only two games Mississippi State lost during the freshman season of McWilliams, were two games he did not play in.rnrnHe deserves a spot on this team. He was one of the best the school has ever had, so I am putting him on the second team.rnrn[nextslide teaser="Quarterback" /]rnrn rn rn rnrn[caption id="attachment_60133" align="alignright" width="1600"] STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 28: Dak Prescott #15 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs looks to pass during a game against the Mississippi Rebels at Davis Wade Stadium on November 28, 2015 in Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi defeated Mississippi State 38-27. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)[/caption]rn 1st Team: Dak Prescott rn rn rnrnThere’s no doubt who would be number one on this list. Dak Prescott didn’t just re-write the MSU record books, he obliterated them. He led the program to it’s first ever 10-win regular season, top 5 ranking, #1 ranking and a whole host of other things.rnrnPrescott owns every single-season and career record a quarterback can hold. He’s also got more than his fair share of single game records as well.rnrnHere’s how his stats look with one bowl game remaining:rn rn t 709 of 1129 (62.9%) rn t 8,996 passing yards rn t 66 passing touchdowns rn t 534 rushes for 2,474 yards (4.7) rn t 41 rushing touchdowns rn t 4 receptions for 88 yards and 3 touchdowns rn t 110 touchdowns responsible for rn rn 2nd Team: Jackie Parker rn rn rnrnAn electrifying athlete in the early 1950s, he was an All-American in ’53. He still holds the record for most total touchdowns in a game (six vs. Auburn 1952). He is in the top 10 in rushing touchdowns, touchdowns responsible for, yards per pass attempt, passing efficiency and holds the record for most points responsible for in a single season (168).rnrnHe is also the only QB in school history to have a perfect 100% completion percentage when he did so against Ole Miss in 1953.rnrnNot only was Parker a dynamic quarterback, but he led MSU in punt and kickoff returns in both of his years in Starkville and led the team in interceptions in ’53. He is one of five in the MSU ring of honor and is a member of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.rnrnUnfortunately he was unable to lead MSU any bowl games. The 1952 season ended 5-4 and 1953 ended 5-2-3.rnrn rn rn[story_link_next description="50%20Greatest%20Athletes%20in%20Mississippi%20State%20History" url="https://maroonandwhitenation.com/2015/12/26/mississippi-state-bulldogs-50-greatest-athletes-in-school-history/" /]rnrn rn

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Mississippi State Football: Compiling the All-Time Bulldogs Team

Which Mississippi State football players have been the best of the best? Here is our picks for the Mississippi State all-time team, complete with a 2 deep roster.

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