STARKVILLE — Emmanuel Forbes and Lideatrick Griffin led the way for Mississippi State football on the 2022 coaches all-Southeastern Conference team, announced Tuesday.
Forbes, a junior from Grenada, was a first-team selection at cornerback. Griffin, a junior from Philadelphia High School, made the first team at kick returner.
Senior linebacker Nathaniel Watson and edge rusher Tyrus Wheat garnered second-team honors.
The Bulldogs’ four selections were the most they’ve had since 2018. No. 24 MSU (8-4, 4-4 SEC) will face Illinois (8-4, 5-4 Big Ten) in the ReliaQuest Bowl at 11 a.m. Jan. 2 in Tampa.
Forbes tied for second nationally with seven interceptions this season, breaking the SEC and FBS records for career pick-sixes as well. He declared for the 2023 NFL draft on Thursday.
Griffin had his second career return touchdown and led all of FBS in kickoff return average by 1.8 yards a pop.
Watson led the SEC in tackles, collecting 108 — 11 for loss — as well as recording five sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. The Alabama native announced last week he will return in 2023.
Wheat, who accepted an invitation to the East/West Shrine Bowl last week, likely won’t return. If 2022 was his last season, it was a good one with 53 tackles — 10.5 for loss — and a team-high six sacks.
Ole Miss lands three on coaches all-SEC team
OXFORD — Ole Miss freshman running back Quinshon Judkins was named first-team all-SEC by the league’s coaches, the SEC announced Tuesday. He was named first-team by the Associated Press on Monday as well.
Senior guard Nick Broeker and senior wide receiver Jonathan Mingo were both second-team selections by the SEC coaches.
Judkins led the SEC in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns during the regular season, racking up 1,476 yards and 16 touchdowns, respectively. He also won the C Spire Conerly Trophy, given annually to the top college football player in Mississippi.
Broeker spent most of his career at tackle for the Rebels but slid inside to guard this season. He has started 35 games in a row.
Mingo had the best season of his career in 2022, totaling 808 yards and five touchdowns on 48 catches. He set the program’s single-game receiving yardage record against Vanderbilt in October, racking up 247 yards and a pair of touchdowns on nine catches.
Ole Miss (8-4, 4-4 SEC) plays Texas Tech (7-5, 5-4 Big 12) in the Texas Bowl on Dec. 28.
— Michael Katz, Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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