Trio of former Mississippi State stars named NFL Pro Bowlers

Written on 12/26/2025
J.T. Mitchell

A trio of former Mississippi State standouts are slated to participate in the Pro Bowl Games as the honors were announced by the NFL this week.

Headlining the list is Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, who was one of five Cowboys selected to represent the NFC. It’s the fourth nod for the former Bulldog signal-caller, who has passed for 4,482 yards and 30 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions this season. His latest performance, which came Thursday in a win over the Washington Commanders, included 307 passing yards and two touchdowns – one of which was a Christmas Day record 86-yard score.

Mississippi State is represented on the AFC side by Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones. Both players were named starters.

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) celebrates his touchdown with offensive tackle JC Latham, left, and running back Tony Pollard (20) during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Simmons leads interior lineman in multiple categories this season. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s first in pass rush grade (90.9), pass rush win rate (19.3%), and sacks (9). The four-time Pro Bowler has 34 total tackles through 16 games.

Jones, grabbing his seventh Pro Bowl honor in 10 seasons, has 13 total tackles and five sacks. One of the best at clogging an opposing team’s run game and pressuring quarterbacks, Jones ranks third in QB hits (16) and fourth in pressures (53), per PFF. He’s also batted down two passes this season.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) rushes against Houston Texans offensive tackle Blake Fisher (57) during the first half of an NFL football divisional playoff game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)

Prescott (2011-15), Simmons (2016-18), and Jones (2013-15) overlapped as teammates at Mississippi State. All three were All-SEC players.

When the Pro Bowl Games commence during Super Bowl LX week in San Francisco, it will mark the fourth year since the NFL eliminated its full-contact all-star game and replaced it with weeklong skills competitions and a flag football game. Pro Football Hall of Famer and Mississippi native Jerry Rice will coach the NFC side while Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve Young will coach the AFC side in the flag football showdown on Feb. 3.

Pro Bowl selections are determined by the consensus of fans, players, and coaches with each group’s vote counting as one-third of the total tally.