STARKVILLE — After leading the Southeastern Conference with 88 catches in 2015, Mississippi State wide receiver Fred Ross was named to the preseason All-Southeastern Conference Second Team by the media, the league announced Friday.
Ross received 139 votes, fourth most by a wideout. Alabama’s Calvin Ridley (318) and Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk (223) were selected to the first team. Joining Ross on the second is LSU’s Malachi Dupre (167).
Along with setting the single-season school record in receptions, Ross led the Bulldogs with 1,007 yards and was tied for second with five touchdowns.
MSU defensive lineman A.J. Jefferson and linebacker Richie Brown were selected to the third team. Both received 84 votes. Brown led the Bulldogs with 109 tackles (13.0 for loss). Jefferson recorded 47 tackles (13.5 for loss).
Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly was selected to the first team. Rebel tight end Evan Engram and defensive back Tony Conner were selected to the second team. Offensive lineman Javon Patterson and defensive lineman Marquis Haynes were selected to the third team.
Alabama had the most first team selections with seven. They include Ridley, tight end O.J. Howard, offensive lineman Cam Robinson, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen, linebacker Reuben Foster, defensive back Eddie Jackson and punter J.K. Scott. Offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor, linebacker Tim Williams, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and place kicker Adam Griffith were selected to the second team. Defensive back Marlon Humphrey was selected to the third team.
LSU running back Leonard Fournette (329) and Kelly (321) were the top vote getters. Fournette was two votes shy of being a unanimous first team selection.
n In other football news, MSU’s Brandon Holloway was named to the 2016 Paul Hornung Award watch list, the Louisville Sports Commission announced.
The award is given to he most versatile player in college football.
The running back accounted for 413 yards and no touchdowns last season. He was used in the passing game and hauled in 33 passes for 396 yards and five touchdowns. The Tampa, Florida, native had 24 kick returns for 567 yards and one touchdown.
Holloway was named a candidate for the Doak Walker Award and to the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy earlier in the week.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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 41 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 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
