Gabe Jackson, Bill Smith representing Mississippi in 2025 SEC football legends class

Written on 10/22/2025
Caleb Salers

The Southeastern Conference released its 2025 legends class on Wednesday, with Gabe Jackson and William “Bill” Smith representing Mississippi’s two member institutions.

Jackson, a Liberty native, was a four-year starter at left guard for the Bulldogs, starting all 52 games in his career, and was considered a top guard prospect in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was a two-time first-team All-SEC honoree and capped his career by winning the coveted Conerly Trophy as the top collegiate player in Mississippi, becoming just the third offensive lineman ever to earn the honor.

As a senior in 2013, Jackson anchored an offensive front that powered Mississippi State’s record-setting offense in total yards, first downs, and yards per game under the leadership of now-Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Jackson did not allow a single sack that season, earned first-team All-SEC recognition from both the league’s coaches and the Associated Press, and also received the Kent Hull Award as Mississippi’s top offensive lineman.

Selected by the Oakland Raiders with the 81st overall pick in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Jackson went on to start 132 of 136 games played during his 10-year professional career. In that span, he never allowed more than five sacks in a season and surrendered only three combined across his first four years in the league. His NFL stops included the Raiders (2014–20), Seattle Seahawks (2021–22), and Carolina Panthers (2023).

In Oxford, Smith was arguably one of the most dominant punters in college football history. A native of Little Rock, Ark., Smith starred at Ole Miss, where he earned All-America honors in 1985 and 1986 and was named to the All-SEC team for three consecutive years from 1984-86.

Known for his strong leg, Smith averaged 44.3 yards on 254 career punts. He set an NCAA record with a 50-yard punt in 32 consecutive games and remains No. 2 in SEC history for career 50-yard punts (86) and games averaging 40 or more yards (36). His 92-yard punt and 84.5-yard single-game average against Southern Miss in 1984 still stand as SEC records.

Smith capped his college career with appearances in the Senior Bowl and the Blue-Gray Game and was a seventh-round selection by the Green Bay Packers in the 1987 NFL Draft. Smith was later honored with a spot in the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame in 2016.

The 2025 Football Legends class includes 16 former stars who excelled on the gridiron and helped write the rich history of the sport at their respective institutions. This year’s class includes a Heisman Trophy winner, national champions, All-Americans, All-SEC selections, Academic All-Americans, and NFL standouts.

2025 SEC Football Legends Class

  • Alabama – C.J. Mosley, Linebacker, 2010-13
  • Arkansas – Kenoy Kennedy, Safety, 1996-99
  • Auburn – Cam Newton, Quarterback, 2010
  • Florida – Brandon Spikes, Linebacker, 2006-09
  • Georgia – Randy Johnson, Offensive Guard, 1973-75
  • Kentucky – Jacob Tamme, Tight End, 2004-07
  • LSU – Tyrann Mathieu, Cornerback, 2010-11
  • Ole Miss – William “Bill” Smith, Punter, 1983-86
  • Mississippi State – Gabe Jackson, Offensive Guard, 2009-13
  • Missouri – Mitch Morse, Offensive Lineman, 2010-14
  • Oklahoma – Lucious Selmon, Nose Guard, 1970-73
  • South Carolina – Connor Shaw, Quarterback, 2010-13
  • Tennessee – Kevin Burnett, Linebacker, 2000-04
  • Texas – Derrick Johnson, Linebacker, 2001-04
  • Texas A&M – R.C. Slocum, Head Coach, 1989-2002
  • Vanderbilt – Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, 2010-13

This year’s class will be honored at the SEC Football “Weekend of Champions” from Dec. 5-6 in Atlanta. The group will also be recognized prior to the SEC Football Championship Game, which will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Dec. 6.