#STATEtoSundays: Week 5 Preview
October 08, 2026 | Football
No matter which NFL game you tune into, there's a good chance you'll find a former Mississippi State standout on the field or roaming the sideline somewhere.
The Bulldogs currently have 24 alumni (19 players) on NFL rosters, coaching staffs and more. Among those players who have made the move #FromStateToSundays are Pro Bowlers Chris Jones (7x), Dak Prescott (4x), Jeffery Simmons (4x), Elgton Jenkins (2x), Logan Cooke and Montez Sweat.
MSU also has four first round draft picks in the league in Simmons, Sweat, Charles Cross and Emmanuel Forbes Jr. as well as Super Bowl Champions in Cross, Jones and Willie Gay Jr. Prescott is also the 2016 NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year and 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year.
Running back Devon Booth (Colts) and linebacker Nathaniel Watson (Browns) are members of the practice squad for their respective teams. Watson is currently on the injured list (knee).
Several other State alums are making an impact on the sidelines and beyond around the NFL. Stephen Adegoke is the safeties coach for the Houston Texans and Fred Walker is an offensive assistant for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl cham K.J. Wright serves as the linebackers coach for the San Francisco 49ers while fellow linebacker DeAndre Ward Sr. works as an assistant strength and conditioning coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dr. Allen Sills also holds the distinction of being the NFL's chief medical officer.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4) at Dallas Cowboys (2-2) | 7:15 p.m. Prime Video
QB Dak Prescott (DAL)
LB Tyrus Wheat (DAL)
Philadelphia Eagles (2-2) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-1) in London | 8:30 a.m. NFL Network
P Logan Cooke (JAX)
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) at Miami Dolphins (0-4) | 12 p.m. FOX
LB Willie Gay (MIA)
TE Seydou Traore (MIA)
Minnesota Vikings (4-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-3) | 12 p.m. FOX
CB Martin Emerson (NO)
CB Decamerion Richardson (NO)
Cleveland Browns (3-1) at New York Jets (1-3) | 12 p.m. CBS
C/G Elgton Jenkins (CLE)
Houston Texans (0-4) at Tennessee Titans (0-4) | 12 p.m. CBS
DT Jaden Crumedy (HOU)
RB Woody Marks (HOU)
DT Jeffery Simmons (TEN)
Chicago Bears (3-1) at Green Bay Packers (2-2) | 12 p.m. FOX
DE Montez Sweat (CHI)
Denver Broncos (2-2) at San Diego Chargers (0-4) | 3:05 p.m. CBS
WR Brenen Thompson (LAC)
San Francisco 49ers (4-0) at Seattle Seahawks (3-1) | 3:25 p.m. FOX
OT Charles Cross (SEA)
Buffalo Bills (3-1) at Los Angeles Rams (2-2) | 7:15 p.m. ESPN, ABC
CB Emmanuel Forbes (LAR)
