
Mississippi State hasn’t quite reestablished itself as D-Line University, but two of its graduates are doing their part to maintain that status.
Defensive tackles Chris Jones and Jeffery Simmons are two of the best interior defensive lineman in the NFL. That statement is now supported by the pair being selected to the AFC Pro Bowl roster that was announced Tuesday.
Additionally, quarterback Dak Prescott was selected as one of the NFC’s three quarterbacks.
Coincidentally, all three of their teams are eliminated from playoff contention. That means Jones, Prescott and Simmons will all be participants in the Pro Bowl barring any injury or opt outs.
Simmons is having one of his best seasons as a pro. Through Week 16, Simmons has 58 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, nine sacks, eight QB hits, 1 forced fumble and three pass deflections. He also has a one-yard receiving touchdown.
Simmons also missed one game earlier this season with an injury.
Jones isn’t having as great as season as he has in recent years, but that’s a team-wide trend for the Chiefs. He has 24 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, four sacks and one pass deflection.
Prescott has quietly put together another season that would put him into the MVP conversation if the Cowboys fielded a halfway decent defense this season.
Prescott is completing 68.5 percent of his passes (378-552) for 4,175, which is only four yards behind the league leader, Matthew Stafford. He also has 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Here are the complete AFC and NFC Pro Bowl Rosters:
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