Mississippi State Football: Three Bulldogs Earn Preseason All-SEC Honors
When preseason All-SEC teams were announced after the passing of 2023 SEC Media Days, three Mississippi State football players were recognized for what they've brought to the table on the field.
Veteran linebacker Nathaniel Watson was named to the second team, while quarterback Will Rogers and kick returner/wide receiver Lideatrick "Tulu" Griffin received third-team honors.
The first team consisted largely of the expected Alabama and Georgia players as they continue to dominate the SEC West and East respectively. Other names that are notable and not shocking include Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins.
Watson receiving the highest honor among MSU players doesn't come as much of a surprise after her finished second on the team and second in the SEC with 113 tackles with six sacks. Alongside his teammate Jett Johnson, who went unrecognized in this poll, they were the only pair of Power 5 teammates to finish 1-2 in their respective conferences.
Looking at Griffin's performance, he's shown to be an all-purpose receiver and an absolute ace of a return specialist with a bit of a Devin Hester spark to him. Anytime he is lined up in the backfield for a return, Griffin putting six up on the board has become a real possibility for opposing defenses to be on the alert for.
Rogers' place within the All-SEC teams this year sparks a bit of controversy, since some consider him to be among the best in the nation after he finished out the 2022 season with a 68% completion rate, passing for 3,974 yards with 35 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
It will be interesting to watch how these players -- and those who were snubbed -- progress as the Bulldogs open up an exciting 2023 schedule against Southeastern on Sept. 2.
