STARKVILLE — The accolades continue to pour in for Gabe Jackson.
On Wednesday, the Mississippi State standout guard was named the first winner of the Kent Hull Trophy as the most outstanding collegiate offensive lineman in the state of Mississippi.
Jackson will receive the Kent Hull Trophy at the C Spire Conerly Trophy banquet Tuesday night at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum in Jackson.
Jackson, a fifth-year senior from Liberty, is MSU’s finalist for the C Spire Conerly Trophy. He also has been named the Southeastern Conference offensive lineman of the week three times this season.
“It’s such an honor to be named the top offensive linemen in the state, and for the award to be named in honor of a Mississippi State guy is even more special,” Jackson said. “But I really have to give credit to my teammates and coaches. It’s all about team, and everyone works together to make sure we get better each day. That’s what has made this place special since I’ve been here.”
The Hull Trophy winner was selected by a panel of experts, including former professional scouts, former college players, and former coaches, including Hall of Famers Jim Carmody, Tom Goode, and Hamp Cook.
“Gabe Jackson was like a man among boys; he just dominated whomever he faced,” said Carmody, the former Southern Miss head coach, who also coached at MSU and Ole Miss and coached and scouted in the NFL.
Jackson hasn’t allowed a sack all season and has graded out as a champion (80 percent or above) in every game.
“Gabe is the reason coaches come to work every day,” MSU offensive line coach John Hevesy said. “In five years with Gabe, there has never been a moment he hasn’t given me and Mississippi State everything he has to give. He has worked relentlessly to become a great player. There is no doubt he is one of the best offensive linemen in the country and very deserving to be the first recipient of the Kent Hull Award. You are going to see a lot more of Gabe Jackson on Sundays.”
Said MSU coach Dan Mullen, “Gabe has been a special player from the first day he stepped on campus. Every day at practice, he gives us everything we ask of him and more. He never takes a day off, and he always strives to get better. I can’t imagine anyone more deserving of this award than Gabe. He’s earned every recognition he gets.”
Ole Miss freshman offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and Belhaven senior guard Matt Hall both received strong consideration for the award.
The award is named for Hull, who was from Greenwood and played at MSU from 1979-82. Hull was inducted into Mississippi State’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2000, and then state’s sports hall of fame three years later.
Hull first played pro football in 1983 with the USFL New Jersey Generals. He and quarterback Jim Kelly then went to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills in 1986. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection in 11 seasons with the Bills, and played a key role on the offensive line that paved the way for Kelly and Thurman Thomas and led the team to four-straight Super Bowl appearances from 1991-94. He died in 2011 at age 50.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 39 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
