Notable Alumni of Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University (MSU), originally known as Mississippi Agricultural & Mechanical College, has a rich history of producing accomplished individuals across various fields. With nearly 150,000 living alumni, the university's impact is felt globally. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective professions.

A Legacy of Excellence: The MSU Alumni Association

The foundation for the MSU Alumni Association was laid on June 17, 1885, when members of the first three graduating classes convened to explore ways to "perpetuate the memories of college life" and strengthen the university's influence through its graduates. This initial meeting led to the establishment of an association that has since witnessed numerous changes, yet the "spirit and loyalty" of its graduates remain steadfast.

Prominent Figures in Sports

MSU has a strong tradition of producing exceptional athletes who have excelled in professional sports.

Dak Prescott

Rayne Dakota Prescott is an American professional football quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs, twice earning first-team All-SEC honors and was selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Prescott ranks seventh all-time in completion percentage with at least 1,500 pass attempts and is eighth in the NFL's all-time regular season career passer rating.

Chris Jones

Christopher Deshun Jones is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2016 NFL draft. Jones is a three-time Super Bowl champion, a six-time All-Pro member, and a six-time Pro Bowler.

Fletcher Cox

Fletcher Cox is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and was selected by the Eagles in the first round of the 2012 NFL draft. During his career, Cox won one Super Bowl, was selected to the Pro Bowl six times, and was named an All-Pro four times.

Rafael Palmeiro

Rafael Palmeiro Corrales is a Cuban-American former baseball first baseman and left fielder. He played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for three teams. Palmeiro was an All-American at Mississippi State University before being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1985. He played for the Cubs (1986-1988), Texas Rangers (1989-1993, 1999-2003), and the Baltimore Orioles (1994-1998, 2004-2005).

Will Clark

William Nuschler Clark Jr. is an American professional baseball first baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1986 through 2000. He played for the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, and St. Louis Cardinals. Clark was known by the nickname of "Will the Thrill." The nickname has often been truncated to simply, "the Thrill."

Rodney Hood

Rodney Michael Hood is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for Mississippi State and Duke before declaring for the NBA Draft. Hood was drafted in 2014 by the Utah Jazz; and in 2018, he was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers. He was then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in 2019. He was then traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2021. He signed with the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent for the 2021-2022 season before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers before the 2022 trade deadline.

Erick Dampier

Erick Travez Dampier is an American former professional basketball player. He played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for the Indiana Pacers, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks, Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. He was a 6 ft 11 in / 265 lb. center.

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Malik Newman

Malik Tidderious Newman is an American professional basketball player for Merkezefendi Belediyesi Denizli of the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). He played college basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks and the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Willie Gay

Willie Gay Jr. is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Mississippi State. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 63rd overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft.

Quinndary Weatherspoon

Quinndary Vonta Weatherspoon is an American professional basketball player for Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played four seasons of college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Weatherspoon was selected 49th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2019 NBA draft. After two seasons with the team, he joined the Warriors in 2021. During his first season with the Warriors, he won an NBA championship.

Eric Moulds

Eric Shannon Moulds is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Mississippi State University and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills 24th overall in the 1996 NFL draft. In 2009, Moulds (affectionately called E-Money for short) was one of three receivers named to the Buffalo Bills 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.

K. J. Costello

Kevin Richard "K. J." Costello is an American professional football quarterback who is a free agent. He played college football for the Stanford Cardinal and the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He previously played for the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints.

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Mitch Moreland

Mitchell Austin Moreland, nicknamed "2-Bags", is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Oakland Athletics. Moreland attended Mississippi State University and was drafted by the Rangers as a first baseman and outfielder in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB draft.

Anderson Peters

Anderson Peters MBE is a Grenadian javelin thrower and the 2019 and 2022 world champion in the event. In 2024, he won the bronze medal in the men's javelin throw at the Paris Olympic Games.

Marco Arop

Marco Arop OLY is a Canadian track and field athlete competing in the middle distance events.

Leaders in Politics and Government

MSU alumni have also made significant strides in the world of politics and government, shaping policies and serving their communities.

Marsha Blackburn

Mary Marsha Blackburn is an American politician serving as the senior United States senator from Tennessee. Blackburn was first elected to the Senate in 2018. A member of the Republican Party, Blackburn was a state senator from 1999 to 2003 and represented Tennessee's 7th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2003 to 2019, during which time the National Journal rated her among the House's most conservative members.

John C. Stennis

John C. Stennis was a U.S. senator from the state of Mississippi. He was a Democrat who served in the Senate for over 41 years, becoming its most senior member for his last eight years. At the time of his retirement, Stennis was the last senator to have served during the presidency of Harry S. Truman.

Brandon Presley

Brandon Everitt Presley is an American politician who served as a member of the Mississippi Public Service Commission from the Northern District from 2008 to 2024 and mayor of Nettleton, Mississippi, from 2001 to 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero

Rafael Leonardo Callejas Romero was the 31st President of Honduras from January 27, 1990 to January 27, 1994, representing the National Party of Honduras (PNH).

Literary and Media Figures

MSU boasts alumni who have achieved prominence in the fields of literature, journalism, and media.

John Grisham

John Ray Grisham Jr. is an American novelist, lawyer, and former member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, known for his best-selling legal thrillers. According to the American Academy of Achievement, Grisham has written 37 consecutive number-one fiction bestsellers, and his books have sold 300 million copies worldwide. Along with Tom Clancy and J. K. Rowling, Grisham is one of only three Anglophone authors to have sold two million copies on the first printing. In 1989, Grisham, an MSU alumnus, donated his papers to the university. Materials from the Grisham papers are on display in Mitchell Memorial Library's John Grisham Room, which opened in May 1998.

Amy Freeze

Amy Elizabeth Freeze is an American television meteorologist. She was previously a co-anchor of Weather Command on Fox Weather. Freeze left Fox Weather in 2024.

Bill Evans

William Howard Evans is an American meteorologist and the former weatherman for WABC-TV, the ABC affiliate in New York City.

Jerry Clower

Howard Gerald "Jerry" Clower was an American stand-up comedian. Born and raised in the state of Mississippi, Clower was best known for his stories of the rural South and was given the nickname "The Mouth of Mississippi".

Other Notable Alumni

Machine Gun Kelly

George Kelly Barnes, better known by his nickname "Machine Gun Kelly", was an American gangster from Memphis, Tennessee, active during the Prohibition era. His nickname came from his favorite weapon, a Thompson submachine gun.

Jon Heidenreich

Jon Heidenreich is an American retired professional wrestler, better known simply as Heidenreich. He is best known for his tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) on its SmackDown brand where he was a one time WWE Tag Team Champion with Road Warrior Animal as a part of the 2005 version of the Legion of Doom.

Herschell Gordon Lewis

Herschell Gordon Lewis was an American filmmaker, best known for creating the "splatter" subgenre of horror films. He is often called the "Godfather of Gore".

Giving Back to Future Generations

Many MSU alumni actively contribute to the university's continued success through mentorship, financial support, and sharing their professional experiences.

Patsy Fowlkes, a 1974 Biochemistry graduate, exemplifies this commitment. After a successful career in pharmaceutical sales, she remains connected to MSU. Similarly, James K. Barrentine, Melvin W. Barrentine, and Melanie Barrentine Barnes established the Barrentine Endowed Scholarship in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, honoring their parents.

Alumni are encouraged to:

Be a Voice: Share career experiences and advice with current students.
Be a Mentor: Provide on-the-job training opportunities for students in relevant fields.
Be a Booster: Support departmental programs through gifts, endowments, or pledges.

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