Bulldogs in the NFL: How former MSU Players Fared in Preseason Week 2

10 of 25 Bulldogs saw action first week of exhibition games

Jacksonville Jaguars center Darryl Williams (60) guard Blake Hance (73) and offensive tackle Javon Foster (62) line up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter during a preseason game at EverBank Stadium. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

The second week of NFL preseason games are in the books and plenty of former Mississippi State players saw action on the field. Here’s how the former Bulldogs faired:

Darryl Williams, C, Jacksonville

With the Jaguars’ starting center sitting out the game, Williams took 36 snaps at center in Jacksonville’s 20-7 win against Tampa Bay.

From left, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3), punter Jake Camarda (5), place kicker Chase McLaughlin (4), and Jacksonville Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) pray with center Tyler Shatley (69) after a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK

Logan Cooke, P, Jacksonville

Cooke had five punts for Jacksonville against Tampa Bay, averaging 47.6 yards per punt and landing three punts inside the 20-yard line.

New Orleans Saints linebacker Willie Gay (6) against the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Willie Gay, LB, New Orleans

The veteran linebacker didn’t play much, but did record two tackles in the Saints’ 16-10 loss to San Francisco.

J.T. Gray, DB, New Orleans

Gray isn’t in jeopardy of not making the 53-man roster and played sparingly Sunday against the 49ers, recording one tackle.

Jonathan Abram, S, New Orleans

Abram is in line to be a starter once the regular season begins and showed why, making a quick impact with two tackles before sitting out the remainder of the game against San Francisco.

Jordan Thomas, TE, Atlanta

Thomas was on the field for Atlanta against the Baltimore Ravens, but didn’t receive any targets in the Ravens’ 13-12 win.

Decamerion Richardson, CB, Las Vegas

Richardson continued his rookie preseason with two tackles in the Raiders’ 27-12 loss to Dallas on Saturday.

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Gary Brightwell (35)runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Marcus Banks (39) defends during the third quarter at EverBank Stadium. / Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Banks, S, Tampa Bay

The rookie safety is hoping to earn a spot on Tampa Bay’s 53-man roster and made a decent case with three tackles in the Buccaneers’ loss to the Jaguars.

Geor’Quarius Spivey, TE, Kansas City

Spivey didn't have any passes thrown his way in Kansas City's 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions, but he was on the field for three offensive plays and four special teams plays.

Tyrus Wheat, DE, Dallas

The second-year player has lots of competition for a spot on Dallas’s 53-man roster but at least got on the stat sheet with a tackle against the Las Vegas Raiders.

The following former MSU players did not play in the first preseason week:

• Denico Autry, DT, Houston

• Darius Slay, DB, Philadelphia

• Montez Sweat, DE, Chicago

• Jeffrey Simmons, DT, Tennessee

• Chris Jones, DT, Kansas City

• Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas

• Nathaniel Watson, LB, Cleveland

• Martin Emerson, DB, Cleveland

• Cameron Young, DT, Seattle

• Nathan Pickering, DE, Seattle

• Charles Cross, OT, Seattle

• Emmanuel Forbes Jr., CB, Washington

• Jaden Crumedy, DT, Carolina

• Elgton Jenkins, OL, Green Bay

• Preston Smith, DE, Green Bay