Two Mississippi State players have been named preseason All-SEC by the College Football Network ahead of the 2024 season.
Wide receiver Kelly Akharaiyi and offensive lineman Ethan Miner – both transfers brought in ahead of head coach Jeff Lebby’s inaugural campaign – landed on the publication’s honorable mention team.
Akharaiyi comes to Starkville after two impressive seasons at UTEP. In 2023, as a junior, he impressed with 1,033 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. Akharaiyi was one of just two Conference USA players to exceed the 1,000-yard mark as a receiver.
Miner, a center coming in from North Texas, started his career at Arkansas State before spending his junior year with the Mean Green. According to Pro Football Focus, Miner was the second-best offensive lineman in the American Conference with an 81.5 overall rating with an 85.9 passing grade – the fifth-best nationally.
Over in Oxford, Rebels were scattered all across the College Football Network’s preseason All-SEC list. While wideout Antwane “Juice” Wells, Jr. was named newcomer of the year and Lane Kiffin coach of the year, the following were also included on various preseason teams:
- WR Tre Harris (first team)
- TE Caden Prieskorn (second team)
- QB Jaxson Dart (third team)
- RB Ulysses Bentley IV (third team)
- RB Rashod Amos (honorable mention)
- DT Walter Nolen (first team)
- EDGE Princely Umanmielen (second team)
- DB Trey Amos (second team)
- S John Saunders, Jr. (second team)
- S Trey Washington (honorable mention)
- K Caden Davis (second and third teams)
