#STATEtoSundays: Week 3 Update
September 29, 2026 | Football
Jeffery Simmons showcased his dominant skills in a major way this past Sunday.
Simmons led Tennessee with 10 tackles – two of which were for a loss – to go along with a sack and two quarterback hits. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave the former Mississippi State standout the No. 3 run defense grade among all interior defensive linemen in the NFL during Week 3 at 77.0.
Through the first three games, Simmons has stacked up 20 tackles (three for loss) and a pair of sacks. He has the top pressure grade on the Titans at 80.2 as well as the second-best overall defensive grade at 81.9.
The four-time Pro Bowler now has 44 ½ sacks over his illustrious career.
Simmons' old teammate at State – Montez Sweat – also added a sack for Chicago in Week 3. Sweat now has a pair of sacks this season and 59 for his career.
Dak Prescott connected on 25 of 40 passes for 276 yards and a touchdown for Dallas on Sunday. Prescott has the third-highest passing grade among NFL quarterbacks this season at 86.3 as well at the No. 5 overall offensive grade at his position (87.0).
Woody Marks also found his way into the end zone for the first time this year, scoring on a 1-yard scurry for Houston.
Charles Cross and Elgton Jenkins once again played every offensive snap in the trenches for their respective teams. Cross played all 67 reps at left tackle earning the top run (78.0) and pass (82.6) blocking grades for Seattle in Week 3. His overall offensive grade of 81.9 ranked fifth among all tackles in the league this past week.
Jenkins made all 70 snaps at center for Cleveland and posted a team-best 80.2 pass blocking grade. For the season, he leads all NFL centers with a pass blocking grade of 82.4.
DAVON BOOTH | RB | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | AT MSU: 2024-25
Last Week: Booth was on the practice squad for a 19-17 win over the Texans.
LOGAN COOKE | P | JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS | AT MSU: 2014-17
Last Week: Cooke punted three times for 142 yards (47.3 avg.) with a long of 51 yards in a 35-6 win over the Patriots.
Season: Nine punts for 435 yards (48.3 avg.), long 58
CHARLES CROSS | OT | SEATTLE SEAHAWKS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Cross started at left tackle and played all 67 offensive snaps as well as five special teams reps in a 33-31 loss at the Commanders.
Season: Three games played, three starts
JADEN CRUMEDY | DT | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Crumedy received 14 defensive reps in a 19-17 loss at the Colts.
Season: Two games played
MARTIN EMERSON | CB | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2019-21
Last Week: Emerson was not active in a 35-27 loss to the Raiders.
Season: Five tackles (four solo, one assist)
EMMANUEL FORBES | CB | LOS ANGELES RAMS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Forbes made two assisted tackles in a 30-26 loss at the Broncos.
Season: Two assisted tackles, one pass defense
WILLIE GAY JR. | LB | MIAMI DOLPHINS | AT MSU: 2017-19
Last Week: Gay made three tackles (one solo, two assists) in a 24-10 loss to the Chiefs.
Season: Seven tackles (two solo, five assists)
ELGTON JENKINS | G/C | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2014-18
Last Week: Jenkins started at center and played all 70 offensive snaps in a 21-18 win over the Panthers.
Season: Three games played, three starts Misc. – one solo tackle
CHRIS JONES | DE | KANSAS CITY CHIEFS | AT MSU: 2013-15
Last Week: Jones started and made two tackles (one solo, one assist) and one pass defense in a 24-10 win at the Dolphins.
Season: Nine tackles (four solo, five assists), one fumble recovery, one quarterback hit, one pass defense
JO'QUAVIOUS "WOODY" MARKS | RB | HOUSTON TEXANS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Marks carried five times for 15 yards and one touchdown and hauled in one pass for 6 yards. He also returned two kickoffs for 52 yards in a 19-17 loss at the Colts.
Season: Rushing – 22 carries, 65 yards, one touchdown Receiving – seven catches, 31 yards Kickoff return – seven returns, 170 yards
DAK PRESCOTT | QB | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2011-15
Last Week: Prescott started and completed 25 of 40 passes for 276 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed four times for 19 yards in a 34-31 loss to the Ravens.
Season: Passing - 73 of 105, 730 yards, seven touchdowns, one interception Rushing – 10 carries, 59 yards
ALBERT REESE IV | OT | CAROLINA PANTHERS | AT MSU: 2021-25
Last Week: Reese was inactive for a 21-18 loss at the Browns.
Season: n/a
DECAMERION RICHARDSON | CB | NEW ORLEANS SAINTS | AT MSU: 2020-23
Last Week: Richardson received 11 reps on special teams in a 35-27 loss to the Raiders.
Season: One assisted tackle
JEFFERY SIMMONS | DT | TENNESSEE TITANS | AT MSU: 2016-18
Last Week: Simmons started and led the Titans with 10 tackles (five solo, five assists), two tackles for loss, one sack and two quarterback hits in a 12-7 loss at the Giants.
Season: 20 tackles (10 solo, 10 assists), three tackles for loss, two sacks, three quarterback hits
MONTEZ SWEAT | DE | CHICAGO BEARS | AT MSU: 2017-18
Last Week: Sweat started and made one solo tackle, one tackle for loss, one sack and one quarterback hit in a 27-7 win over the Eagles.
Season: Six tackles (two solo, four assists), two tackles for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hits
BRENEN THOMPSON | WR | LOS ANGELES CHARGERS | AT MSU: 2025
Last Week: Thompson was not active in a 24-16 loss at the Bills.
Season: One catch, 13 yards
SEYDOU TRAORE | TE | MIAMI DOLPHINS | AT MSU: 2023-25
Last Week: Traore played 16 reps on special teams in a 24-10 loss to the Chiefs.
Season: Three games played
NATHANIEL WATSON | LB | CLEVELAND BROWNS | AT MSU: 2018-23
Last Week: Watson was on the practice squad injured list (knee) in a 21-18 win over the Panthers.
Season: One solo tackle
TYRUS WHEAT | LB | DALLAS COWBOYS | AT MSU: 2020-22
Last Week: Wheat played two snaps on defense and received 18 reps on special teams in a 34-31 loss to the Ravens.
Season: Two tackles (one solo, one assist)
