Mississippi State Players Take Over Super Bowl LVII

Super Bowl LVII between the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will take place on February 12, 2023, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Both teams will be seeking a second Super Bowl Championship title. Kansas City has previously been to five Super Bowls, with their last being in Super Bowl LV in 2021, in a 31-9 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meanwhile, the Eagles have appeared in four, last appearing in Super Bowl LII in 2018, in a 41-33 win over the New England Patriots.

Regardless of the outcome of Super Bowl LVII, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will be well represented in finale for the 2022 NFL season.

Mississippi State will have a combined four players represented in Super Bowl LVII. That number is tied for the most active players in the SEC as well as being tied for the second-most active players in the nation. The Bulldogs will also have the most defensive players in the nation represented from one university.

With the Bulldogs well represented in the Super Bowl this year, here are the former Bulldog players that will be playing on each team.

Kansas City Chiefs

Defensive tackles Chris Jones will be a major part of the team's defense, and continues to make his case for AP Defensive Player of the Year. In the AFC Championship Game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jones had four tackles and two sacks in the 23-20 victory.

Four the season, he is tied fourth in the league for the most sacks, with 15.5. One of the best defensive players in the league, he is bound to become an issue for the Eagles' offense on the field.

Speaking of defense, linebacker Willie Gay Jr will also play for the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII. He has 51 tackles and an interception for the season, and is a solid backfield defensive piece for an already stacked Chiefs defense. The performances of him and Jones will be crucial for the Chiefs in order for them to walk out with a ring.

Philadelphia Eagles

Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox will play for the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Cox has always been a fan favorite and despite a brief injury scare in the Eagles' 31-7 win over the San Francisco 49ers NFC Championship, he is expected to play and be a force against the Chief's offense. Cox has 43 tackles and seven sacks for the season.

Cornerback Darius Slay is expected to be a key defensive piece for an Eagles defense that ranks second in the league in PFF coverage grade (89.9). For the season, he has 55 tackles and three interceptions.

For his performance this season, Slay was elected to the Pro Bowl, the fifth Pro Bowl selection of his career. In a backfield that included C.J. Gardner Johnson and James Bradberry, he is looking to be a key defensive back that will try to stop Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes on the big stage.