You’ve heard the jokes. Starkville is just a quiet college town with more cows than people, right? Well, tell that to an NFL offensive lineman who just got pancaked by a 300-pound human wrecking ball wearing a Titans or Chiefs jersey. Honestly, the way Mississippi State football players in the NFL have basically taken over the trenches—and the quarterback market—is one of the most underrated storylines in professional football.
It isn't just luck.
There's a specific kind of grit that comes out of Davis Wade Stadium. Whether it's the "D-Line U" reputation or the chip on the shoulder that comes from being the "other" school in the SEC West, these guys don't just make rosters. They dominate them. As of early 2026, the impact is undeniable. We're talking about All-Pros, MVP candidates, and guys who are quite literally the highest-paid players at their positions in history.
The Big Three: Dak, Chris, and Jeffery
If you want to understand the current state of Bulldogs in the pros, you have to start with the trio that just punched their tickets to the 2026 Pro Bowl.
Dak Prescott is still the lightning rod for everything Dallas Cowboys. Love him or hate him, you can't argue with the production. In the 2025 season, Dak put up a massive 4,552 yards and 30 touchdowns. He's 32 now, entering that "seasoned vet" phase where he's basically the coach on the field. Even though the Cowboys' defense let him down more often than not this past year, Dak finished the regular season with a 99.5 passer rating. He's eighth on the NFL's all-time passer rating list. Not bad for a fourth-round compensatory pick, right?
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Then you’ve got Chris Jones.
The man is a mountain.
He’s currently sitting on a contract worth over $158 million with the Kansas City Chiefs, and even at age 31, he’s the guy every offensive coordinator stays up late worrying about. While some critics pointed to a slight dip in his pressure rates toward the end of 2025, his presence alone allows the Chiefs’ scheme to function. Without him, that dynasty looks a lot different. There’s some chatter about a potential trade in 2026 due to a massive $44 million cap hit, but whoever has him is getting a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
And then there’s Jeffery Simmons.
"Big Jeff" just had a monster 2025. He was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for a stretch where he basically ate the Jaguars and Chiefs alive. He finished the year with a career-high 11 sacks. He even caught a one-yard touchdown pass! He's the first Titans interior lineman to hit those kinds of numbers since the franchise moved to Nashville. He's an emotional leader, a four-time Pro Bowler, and frankly, the meanest guy on the field on any given Sunday.
More Than Just the Stars
It’s easy to focus on the guys with the $100 million contracts, but the depth of Mississippi State football players in the NFL is what’s actually impressive.
- Charles Cross: The Seattle Seahawks' left tackle is becoming a cornerstone. He started 14 games in 2025, though a late-season knee injury has fans holding their breath for the playoffs.
- Elgton Jenkins: Still the Swiss Army knife for the Green Bay Packers. He’s played everywhere on that line and remains one of the most technically sound blockers in the league.
- Montez Sweat: He's been a revelation for the Chicago Bears. His ability to bend the edge at his size (6'6") is still a freak-of-nature occurrence.
- Emmanuel Forbes Jr.: After a rocky start in Washington, he’s found a second life with the Rams. He was a key part of their Wild Card win in January 2026, showing that the ball-hawk skills he had in Starkville weren't a fluke.
The 2025 Rookie Class Impact
The "Sip" to the NFL pipeline didn't slow down in the 2025 Draft. Woody Marks found a home with the Houston Texans as a fourth-round pick. People wondered if his game would translate, but he’s already carved out a role as a reliable third-down back who can pass-protect—a skill he definitely polished in the SEC.
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We also saw Decamerion Richardson and Nathaniel "Bookie" Watson making waves. Watson, specifically, is that classic Mississippi State linebacker: high motor, slightly overlooked, but always around the ball. He’s been a special teams ace and a rotational thumper for Cleveland, proving yet again that if you need a linebacker who isn't afraid to hit a 250-pound fullback, you look toward Starkville.
Why Do They Succeed?
Nuance matters here. It’s easy to say "SEC pedigree," but it’s deeper. Mississippi State often recruits the three-star guys with five-star chips on their shoulders. They get coached up in a system that prizes physical violence at the line of scrimmage.
Take a guy like Preston Smith. He’s been in the league for a decade. He isn't always the fastest, but he’s one of the smartest. He knows how to use his hands, how to set an edge, and how to stay healthy. That's the Bulldog blueprint: longevity through technique and toughness.
Real Talk: The Challenges
It hasn't been all sunshine. Emmanuel Forbes struggled with his weight and getting bullied by larger receivers early on. Darius Slay, a legend in his own right, had a weird end to the 2025 season, ending up on the "did not report" list for the Bills after a late-season waiver claim. The transition isn't always seamless. The NFL is a business that eats players for breakfast, and even the "Starkvegas" grit can't save everyone from the grind or the injury bug.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking these guys for fantasy or just following your former favorites, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Cap: Chris Jones' $44.8M cap hit in 2026 is the story of the offseason. If he moves, the entire landscape of the AFC power structure shifts.
- The Simmons Era: Jeffery Simmons is in his prime right now. He’s 28, healthy, and just posted his best statistical season. He is the blueprint for the modern "disruptive" DT.
- The Secondary Surge: Keep an eye on the young DBs like Richardson and Forbes. The school is quietly becoming a factory for long, lean corners who can run sub-4.4 forties.
- Draft Watch: Keep an eye on the 2026 draft class. The Bulldogs' defensive front is still producing NFL-ready talent that usually slides to the mid-rounds but plays like first-rounders.
The 2026 season is going to be a defining one for the Bulldog alumni. With veteran leaders like Dak and Chris Jones entering pivotal years and a young crop of linemen and DBs coming into their own, the "Maroon and White" presence in the league has never been more visible. It’s not just about being in the NFL anymore; it’s about running it.
When you see a #95 in red or a #98 in blue making a game-changing play, just remember: they learned that in the humidity of a Mississippi Saturday.