Jeffery Simmons
FILE - In this Aug. 11, 2018 file photo, Mississippi State football defensive coordinator Bob Shoop, talks about senior players' leadership with reporters during the Mississippi State Media Day, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop will see familiar faces Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019 when the Bulldogs visit Tennessee. Shoop was Tennessee’s defensive coordinator. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi State's Shoop ready to face his former team

By Paul Jones Oct. 10, 2019 02:49 AM EDT

Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Joe Moorhead before their NCAA football game against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns in New Orleans, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019. (AP Photo/Chuck Cook)
Draft losses, suspensions hinder Mississippi State defense

By Paul Jones Sep. 05, 2019 02:19 AM EDT

FILE - This is an April 21, 2018, file photo showing Mississippi State football helmets on the sideline during the second half of Mississippi State's Maroon and White spring NCAA college football game, in Starkville, Miss. Mississippi State has received three years’ probation from the NCAA after an investigation determined a part-time student tutor completed coursework for 10 football players and one men’s basketball player in an online class. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi St. gets first look at new QB vs. Cajuns

Aug. 30, 2019 08:00 AM EDT

In this April 13, 2019, file photograph, Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill (8) fakes as he runs upfield against the defense during the team's spring NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, April 13, 2019. Hill, who was injured for part of the 2018 season, is fully recovered and expected to play an important part in Mississippi State's offense. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Mississippi State pushes for better offense under Moorhead

By David Brandt Aug. 12, 2019 09:18 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2018, file photo, Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead chews on a sharpie while watching the video board during the second half of their NCAA college football game against Texas A&M, in Starkville, Miss. Moorhead has received a contract extension through the 2022 season that will pay an average base salary of $3.2 million. The school announced the extension on Tuesday, May 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle, File)
Mississippi State extends Moorhead's contract through 2022

By David Brandt May. 21, 2019 02:57 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2018, file photo, Missouri defensive lineman Jordan Elliott, left, hits Arkansas quarterback Ty Storey, right, causing him to fumble the ball, during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Columbia, Mo. Elliott is expected to emerge as one of Missouri’s top defensive players in 2019. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson, File)
14 SEC players who could have breakthrough seasons

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2019 10:53 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 8, 2018, file photo, Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) stops Alabama State running back Tallesin Farmer (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Auburn, Ala. The SEC, a conference that prides itself on producing great defensive linemen and linebackers, must find candidates to replace all the guys heading into the pros. Alabama’s Raekwon Davis and Auburn’s Derrick Brown both enter the summer as legitimate All-America candidates as they attempt to lead their teams. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
SEC teams look to find defensive stoppers after draft exodus

By Steve Megargee Apr. 22, 2019 10:46 AM EDT

NFL Draft: Top defensive players available by position

By Ralph D. Russo Apr. 20, 2019 01:01 PM EDT
Some of the top defensive prospects, by position, available in the NFL draft (x-indicates early entrant to draft): DEFENSIVE END/EDGE RUSHER ...

Former Mississippi State defensive players Jeffery Simmons, left, and Montez Sweat, joke around during Pro Day at the university, as other players were being tested by NFL football scouts and coaches, Wednesday, March 27, 2019, in Starkville, Miss. Sweat ran some agility drills, while Simmons stayed on the sidelines as he recovers from a leg injury. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Simmons, Sweat among NFL prospects at Mississippi St pro day

By David Brandt Mar. 27, 2019 03:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2018, file photo, Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith (15) reacts after sacking Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson (3) during the second half of the Mid-American Conference championship game, in Detroit. Smith was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
2018 AP All-America Team List

By The Associated Press Dec. 10, 2018 12:01 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 10, 2018, file photo, Alabama defensive back Deionte Thompson (14) celebrates after Mississippi State place kicker Jace Christmann (47) missed a field goal-attempt during the first half of a game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Thompson was named to the 2018 AP All-America NCAA college football team, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
AP All-America team: Tide leads with 4 of 10 CFP players

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 10, 2018 12:00 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) scrambles for a first down against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tagovailoa is the offensive player of the year and one of five members of the top-ranked Crimson Tide to earn first-team honors on The Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference team, announced Monday, Dec. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Butch Dill, File)
No. 1 Alabama has 5 players first-team AP All-SEC selections

By The Associated Press Dec. 03, 2018 12:16 PM EST

Ole Miss tries for another upset vs. No. 23 Mississippi St

By The Associated Press Nov. 21, 2018 08:20 AM EST
No. 22 Mississippi State (7-4, 3-4 SEC, No. 18 CFP) at Mississippi (5-6, 1-6), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. EST (ESPN) Line: Mississippi State by 10. ...

Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) passes against an on rushing Arkansas defender during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Trash-talking on hold: Egg Bowl rhetoric turned down a notch

By David Brandt Nov. 21, 2018 08:00 AM EST

LSU defender Kristian Fulton (22) breaks up a pass intended for Arkansas tight end Cheyenne O'Grady during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
No. 25 Mississippi State will lean on defense vs Arkansas

By David Brandt Nov. 16, 2018 07:17 PM EST

Florida defensive lineman Jachai Polite (99) does a chest bump with a teammate after stopping a South Carolina drive late in fourth quarter in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
As many as 9 SEC schools could have 1st-round draft picks

By Kristie Rieken Nov. 14, 2018 02:41 PM EST

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (13) warms up before an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Tagovailoa, No. 1 Alabama hosts No. 18 Mississippi State

By John Zenor Nov. 09, 2018 08:00 AM EST

Mississippi State head coach Joe Moorhead, center, along with his wife Jen, right, and quarterback Rip Kirk (12) sing the Mississippi State alma mater after an NCAA college football game against Louisiana Tech, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
Mississippi State's defense set to take on for No. 1 Alabama

By David Brandt Nov. 06, 2018 05:05 PM EST

Unidentified Mississippi State fans line up after their NCAA college football game to congratulate Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) on the 28-13 win over Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in Starkville, Miss. (AP Photo/Jim Lytle)
No. 21 Mississippi St hopes to continue momentum vs La Tech

By David Brandt Nov. 02, 2018 08:00 AM EDT

No. 1 Alabama puts streaks on line against No. 18 MSU

By The Associated Press Nov. 01, 2018 10:36 AM EDT
No. 18 Mississippi State (6-3, 2-3 SEC, No. 16 CFP) at No. 1 Alabama (9-0, 6-0 SEC, No. 1 CFP), 3:30 p.m. EST (CBS) Line: Alabama by 24½. ...