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Mississippi State Football: Looking back at the Bulldogs career of Benardrick McKinney

By Matt Melton

STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 08: Benardrick McKinney #50 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs anticipates a play during a game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Davis Wade Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi State won the game 45-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - NOVEMBER 08: Benardrick McKinney #50 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs anticipates a play during a game against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Davis Wade Stadium on November 8, 2014 in Starkville, Mississippi. Mississippi State won the game 45-16. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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A multi-year impact player at the linebacker position for the Bulldogs, here is a look back at the Mississippi State Football career of Benardrick McKinney.

Looking back at the Mississippi State Football career of Benardrick McKinney

Rated as an athlete in the 2011 class, McKinney came to Mississippi State as a three-star prospect out of in-state Rosa Fort High School. Transitioning to linebacker once in Starkville, McKinney would go-on to redshirt his first season with the Bulldogs in 2011, and enter what was an exciting 2012 campaign as a redshirt freshman.

During that 2012 season, McKinney would collect a career-high 102 tackles for the Bulldogs defense, along with 4.5 TFL and a sack. Ranking No. 8 in the conference in total tackles, as well as No. 5 in assisted tackles, McKinney would also receive SEC All-Freshman honors at seasons end.

Coming off that impressive season, McKinney would go-on to collect 70 total tackles in 2013, as well as seven TFL and a career-high 3.5 sacks. The former three-star would post a similar stat line in 2014 as well, totaling 71 tackles, eight TFL, and three sacks to receive honors that included both First Team All-SEC and an All-American selection.

McKinney would declare for the 2015 NFL Draft at seasons end, bringing an end to his Mississippi State Football career. Across his time in Starkville as well, McKinney would collect a total of 243 tackles, 19.5 TFL, and 7.5 sacks, and is still to this day one of the greatest linebackers to ever put on a Bulldogs uniform.

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Selected with the No. 43 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, McKinney has appeared in a total of 91 games from 2015-21 with the Texans and New York Giants. Across that span, the former Mississippi State standout has collected a career 559 tackles, 36 TFL, and 11.5 sacks, as well as a one-time Pro Bowl selection.

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