STARKVILLE – Mississippi State football is preparing to go bowling this December, but three standout players were honored for their regular-season performances this week.

The Bulldogs finished the season with a 5-7 record, going 1-7 through SEC play, but still featured some of the brightest talents in the conference at skill positions on both sides of the ball.

Wide receiver Brenen Thompson and cornerback Kelley Jones were both named to the 2025 Coaches’ All-SEC Third Team this week, making it the second consecutive year with a player making the team at both positions.

Thompson, a senior transfer from Oklahoma, recorded 53 receptions in his lone season as a Bulldog. He led the team with 948 receiving yards, the second-most of any SEC receiver, and six touchdowns, and will have a chance to record a 1,000-yard campaign with the team at the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in January. He only needs 99 yards to pass Makai Polk for the most yards in a single season in program history.

Thompson more than tripled his previous career best for receiving yards in the 2025 season. He averaged 17.89 yards per reception and led the SEC in receptions of 40+ yards.

Jones received All-SEC honors after a standout year defending the outside, setting career marks with 30 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions. He has allowed only 11 receptions on 38 targets this season, recording an FBS-best 28.9% conversion rate for opposing quarterbacks throwing his way.

Last, but not least, is Isaac Smith, who earned Third Team All-American honors from Pro Football & Sports Network on Wednesday.

The Fulton, Miss. native started nine games this season, playing as a hybrid safety/linebacker at the heart of the MSU defense. He battled his way back from injury late in the season to play in the Egg Bowl, and finished the year with 64 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one interception and three pass breakups.

Smith made the preseason All-SEC teams as one of the key returners from last year, leading the SEC in tackles in 2024.