Tremendous Bowl LVII kicks off on Sunday between the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles. Each groups enter the matchup with a 16-3 report and expertise all around the rosters.
The state of Mississippi is well-represented within the Tremendous Bowl. Chiefs defensive sort out Chris Jones and Eagles broad receiver AJ Brown headline the group of former Magnolia State stars.
Beneath is a breakdown of the expertise from Mississippi (or gamers with notable Mississippi ties) set to take the sector on the massive stage.
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As a recruit: Chris Jones exploded up the recruiting ranks late within the course of after being a relative unknown prospect. He dominated the Mississippi-Alabama All-Star Recreation after which turned heads on the Beneath Armour All-American Recreation. Jones completed as a five-star prospect and signed with Mississippi State over a robust push from Ole Miss.
At Mississippi State: Jones emerged as an All-SEC performer in Starkville, enjoying all around the defensive entrance. He would go on to declare for the NFL Draft after three seasons and be drafted early within the second-round by the Chiefs.
Within the NFL: Jones has continued his stellar play on the NFL stage. He has blossomed into an All-Professional participant and is likely one of the most disruptive defenders in all of soccer.
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As a recruit: AJ Brown emerged as an elite broad receiver prospect whereas enjoying at Starkville, the house of Mississippi State. He signed with Ole Miss in a recruitment the place Alabama was additionally an element. Brown would end as a Rivals100 recruit and performed within the Beneath Armour All-American Recreation.
At Ole Miss: Brown was a star proper out of the gate for the Rebels. He proved to be a mismatch for defensive backs and had his means within the SEC. Brown would earn all-conference honors earlier than being drafted within the second-round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans.
Within the NFL: Brown has continued to play at a high-level within the NFL. He was the go-to weapon for the Titans’ passing recreation earlier than the Eagles traded a first-round choice for him final offseason. Since then, his reference to quarterback Jalen Hurts has proved to be deadly for defenses.
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As a recruit: Willie Homosexual was initially dedicated to Ole Miss to play together with his highschool teammate, AJ Brown. Nevertheless, he ultimately re-opened his recruitment and signed with Mississippi State over LSU and Michigan.
At Mississippi State: Homosexual flashed stardom with the Bulldogs due to his playmaking means from his linebacker place. The Chiefs drafted him within the second-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Within the NFL: Homosexual has began 32 of 41 video games since being drafted by the Chiefs. He has made 88 tackles and recorded a pick-six this season for Kansas Metropolis.
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As a recruit: Fletcher Cox was the second-ranked participant in Mississippi in 2009 and held provides from a number of powers within the Southeast. He would signal with Mississippi State and be an essential recruit within the first yr of the Dan Mullen period.
At Mississippi State: Cox was a drive on the collegiate stage as he emerged as the most effective defensive linemen within the SEC. He was an All-SEC expertise that was drafted within the first-round of the 2012 NFL Draft.
Within the NFL: Cox earned first-team All-Professional honors in 2018 and can go down as the most effective Eagles of all time. He was a big participant on the Eagles’ first Tremendous Bowl-winning staff.
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As a recruit: Kenneth Gainwell signed with Memphis as a three-star broad receiver within the 2018 recruiting cycle. He was the No. 21 participant in Mississippi for his class.
At Memphis: Gainwell made the transition from receiver to working again easily at Memphis. He had his breakout season in 2019, the place he rushed for 1,459 yards and 13 touchdowns with the Tigers.
Within the NFL: The Eagles drafted Gainwell within the fifth-round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He has rushed for 4 touchdowns this season.
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As a recruit: Gardner Minshew was rated as a three-star recruit within the 2015 recruiting cycle. He performed his highschool ball at energy Brandon however obtained little or no curiosity. He would go on to play JUCO soccer and at East Carolina earlier than discovering his footing.
At Washington State: Minshew and former Wazzu head coach Mike Leach turned out to be an ideal pairing in Pullman. Their two personalities meshed nicely and Minshew would lead the Cougars to a 10-win season. He even completed within the top-10 for Heisman voting.
Within the NFL: Minshew is now on the Eagles after starting his profession with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He began 23 video games in Jacksonville earlier than signing with Philadelphia. He’s the first backup to Jalen Hurts and began two video games this season.
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As a recruit: Nakobe Dean was a borderline five-star prospect within the 2019 recruiting cycle when popping out of Horn Lake. Dean would signal with Georgia over Alabama and Ole Miss, turning into an integral a part of a nationwide championship-winning protection in Athens.
At Georgia: Dean was thought of the chief of the Georgia protection that made life exhausting for each offense that it went up towards. He earned first-team All-American honors and took residence the Butkus Award throughout his ultimate season on the collegiate stage.
Within the NFL: The Eagles drafted Dean within the third-round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He has made 13 tackles, together with one sort out for loss, this season.
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As a recruit: Darius Harris signed with Center Tennessee State as a two-star prospect after starring at Horn Lake.
At Center Tennessee State: Harris was a big contributor for the Blue Raiders. He performed in a school-record 53 video games over his profession and earned first-team all-conference honors throughout his ultimate season in Murfreesboro.
Within the NFL: The Chiefs signed Harris as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft. He has since performed three seasons in Kansas Metropolis, enjoying in 17 video games this season.
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As a recruit: Darius Slay is from Georgia, however he initially performed JUCO within the Magnolia State earlier than transferring to Mississippi State. He signed as a three-star cornerback within the 2011 cycle.
At Mississippi State: Slay blossomed right into a ball-hawking cornerback at Mississippi State. Enjoying alongside Jim Thorpe Award winner Johnthan Banks, Slay made up one of many higher defensive again tandems within the SEC. He was drafted within the second-round of the 2013 draft.
Within the NFL: Slay has been one of many higher corners within the NFL since coming into the league. First with the Detroit Lions and now with the Eagles. He has an All-Professional choice on his résumé and is a five-time Professional Bowler.
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As a recruit: Quez Watkins was rated as a three-star broad receiver within the 2016 class when he signed with Southern Miss.
At Southern Miss: Watkins turned a big-play risk for the Golden Eagles. He was a first-team all-conference broad receiver after recording 1,178 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns as a senior.
Within the NFL: Philadelphia drafted Watkins within the sixth-round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, he has performed a key function within the Eagles’ passing recreation. He has 33 catches, 354 yards, and three touchdowns this season.
