As we know, the Egg Bowl takes place later tonight between Ole Miss and Mississippi State. There is also your typical three-game NFL Thanksgiving slate, with Rebel fans being able to watch the first two before the big game. There will be a handful of ex Ole Miss players taking the field across the three games.
Benito Jones, DT, Detroit
In the early game on the NFL Thanksgiving slate, the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers face off in an NFC North rivalry game. Nose tackle Benito Jones is the only starter in the game, with the Packers having WR Malik Heath and offensive lineman Royce Newman ready to go if needed.
This season, Jones has recorded 15 total tackles and one sack in six games. He has also played his part on special teams as a field goal protector.
Jones played four seasons at Ole Miss, recording 10.5 sacks and 132 total tackles. The big DT also had an interception in his productive final season in 2019. Jones was a real personality during his time with the Rebels, with that still on show in the NFL.
Sam Williams, DE, Dallas
The rivalry games continue on NFL Thanksgiving, with the second game Dallas at home to Washington. Defensive end Sam Williams will be on the field at times for the Cowboys.
Williams, a second-round Draft pick in 2022, has had a productive start to the season as a rotation piece on the defensive line. In his first season, he finished with 11 pressures and four sacks.
After a slow start to the 2023 season, Williams has started to get hot alongside the talented Cowboys defensive front. In his last three games, he has seven tackles, one forced fumble and a sack in each of the three games.
In his three seasons with the Rebels, Williams had 22.5 sacks, with over half of them coming in his final season. His 2021 college performances stood out to Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, who was the driving force in selecting him 56th overall. Williams is on his way to prove him right.
DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle
In the final game on the NFL Thanksgiving Day slate, one that you can watch on another screen alongside the Egg Bowl, Seattle takes on San Francisco. One of the best receivers in the NFL will be in a Seattle jersey, his name is DK Metcalf.
Metcalf has been a key contributor to the Seattle offense since he was drafted in 2019. So far in his Seahawks career, Metcalf has totalled 346 receptions for 4,864 yards and 38 touchdowns.
He had an injury-plagued time at Ole Miss, managing 67 receptions for 1,228 yards and 14 touchdowns. The coaches at Ole Miss knew how talented he was. However, Metcalf slid to the second round, which still gets to him today.
Pete Carrol and the Seahawks selected him 67th overall in the 2019 draft and not many outside the Rebels would have thought he would be such a big-time playmaker in the NFL.