STARKVILLE — Johnathan Abram, Deion Calhoun, and Jeffery Simmons represented the No. 22 Mississippi State football team Monday as members of the honor roll.
Abram, a senior defensive back, joined Kentucky’s Josh Paschal in being named the Southeastern Conference’s co-Defensive Players of the Week, while Calhoun, a senior, was named SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
Simmons, a junior standout at defensive tackle from Noxubee County High School in Macon, was named one of 10 nominees for the Conerly Trophy. The award goes to the most outstanding college football player in Mississippi.
Abram is the first Bulldog to earn the honor since 2015 (Richie Brown). The honor is the first of Abram’s career. In a 52-6 victory against Arkansas on Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium, Abram had a career-high 12 tackles, three-and-a-half for a loss, one-and-a-half sacks, two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Abram is the first MSU player to record 10 or more tackles and three-and-a-half tackles for loss in a game since All-America linebacker Benardrick McKinney had a game-high 12 tackles and three-and-a-half tackles for loss against Alabama-Birmingham on Sept. 6, 2014.
According to Pro Football Focus, Abram’s five quarterback pressures were three more than any other SEC secondary player in week 12.
Calhoun was the highest-graded MSU lineman (86 percent) against Arkansas. According to Pro Football Focus, MSU gained 102 of its 287 rushing yards to either side of Calhoun.
The honor was the second of Calhoun’s career.
The Pleasant Grove, Alabama, native registered two knockdowns and didn’t allow a sack. He anchored an offensive line that paved the way for an offense that rushed for 287 yards.
Also Monday, Simmons joined nine others from teams in the state in being recognized for Mississippi’s highest football honor. He will try to become MSU’s first winner of the trophy since Dak Prescott won it in 2014 and 2015.
Simmons leads all SEC defensive linemen with 55 tackles. He is tied for fifth in the conference with 12 1/2 tackles for loss. He boasts a 90 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, which is fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision among defensive interior linemen. He also owns a 91.7 grade in the running game that ranks fourth nationally. Simmons has recorded 28 stops and 22 total pressures, including 17 hurries according to PFF.
Simmons has 28 tackles for loss in his career, which ranks seventh all-time in MSU history. He also has five sacks in his three seasons.
Past MSU winners of the award other than Prescott are: include J.J. Johnson (1998), Jerious Norwood (2005), Anthony Dixon (2009), Chris White (2010), and Gabe Jackson (2013).
The winner will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 27, at the Country Club of Jackson.
A combination of votes from the C Spire fan voting and a poll of sports news media representatives determine the winner. Fan voting runs through noon on Sunday. Voters can cast a ballot up to three times per day at www.cspire.com/Conerly.
Tickets are on sale for the Conerly Trophy banquet at the Hall of Fame office and online at www.msfame.com. Advance tickets are required. No sales will be available at the doors. All proceeds benefit the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Brett Hudson on Twitter @Brett_Hudson
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