STARKVILLE — A day after announcing the enrollment of an East Mississippi Community College football player, the Mississippi State football team announced another Thursday.
A team spokesperson said EMCC defensive lineman Chauncey Rivers has enrolled and will go through spring practices with MSU. On Wednesday, MSU announced EMCC defensive back Brian Cole was enrolled in school.
Rivers had 45 tackles (12 1/2 for loss), eight sacks, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups for the last season. He is the 13th early enrollee and ninth junior college enrollee for the Bulldogs.
In related news, MSU kicker Westin Graves announced via Twitter that his football career is over because of back problems.
Graves posted a note on Twitter addressed to Bulldog fans. In the note, he said last July he began experiencing a sharp pain throughout his back. He consulted a doctor and the doctor told Graves it was a herniated disc.
He said he underwent surgery on the disc after MSU’s 17-16 victory against Miami University in the St. Petersburg Bowl. He said the surgery was successful, but he was told there was a good chance he could re-injure himself.
“Sadly, with the possibility of having to go through the same injury again, I have had to make the decision to end my football career,” Graves wrote in his letter. “This was a difficult decision and one I have spent weeks thinking about and praying for an answer to. Though one door has closed, I look forward to the new opportunities that life will bring.”
Graves was 26 of 38 on field goals in his three seasons.
Senior cornerback Cedric Jiles, who has a sixth year of eligibility due to a medical redshirt, tweeted he will transfer. He joins Damian Williams, Nick Tiano, Anfernee Mullins, and Kelan Chairs as departures from the program.
The Clinton native appeared in 35 games in five years. He had 71 tackles, seven pass deflections, and an interception. He returned the interception for a touchdown in the 55-20 victory against Ole Miss in the Battle for the Golden Egg last November in Oxford.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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