As Mississippi celebrates its 200th anniversary, we picked the all-time best football players from the state. Hugh Kellenberger/Clarion Ledger
Editor's note: This story has been updated in advance of the conference championships.
Mississippi will be well-represented this weekend in the NFL conference championships. There is at least one player with a tie to the Magnolia State on each of the remaining four teams.
Here's a list of players with Mississippi ties in each game.
AFC Championship
Jacksonville at New England, 2:05 p.m. Sunday (CBS)
Patriots
Brandon Bolden, RB: Once New England’s featured back, the former Ole Miss Rebel has slipped to third on the Patriots’ depth chart this season, but is still contributing. He’s appeared in all 16 games (mostly on special teams) and rushed for 67 yards. He scored a third-quarter touchdown against the Titans in the divisional round.
Malcolm Butler, DB: The Vicksburg native and hero of Super Bowl XLIX is having another great season for New England. He’s racked up 55 total tackles and needs just one more to tie his career-best 56 from 2015. He’s also picked off a pair of passes.
Jaguars
Jermey Parnell, OL: The former Ole Miss Rebel has started 13 games at right tackle in his seventh year in the league (and third with the Jags). He’s helped pave the way for a rushing attack that ranks second in the league with 155 yards a game. He’ll start Sunday.
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NFC Championship
Minnesota at Philadelphia, 5:40 p.m. (FOX)
Eagles
LeGarrette Blount, RB: In his first year with the Eagles (and eighth overall in the NFL), the former East Mississippi Community College star was the feature back for much of the season. But since the club traded for Jay Ajayi and picked up Corey Clement, his role has diminished. He’s still rushed for nearly 50 yards a game and should feature prominently in Sunday’s gameplan.
Fletcher Cox, DL: The Yazoo City native and former Mississippi State standout is still doing his thing in his sixth year with Philadelphia. He’s racked up 5.5 sacks this season and recovered a couple of fumbles, including one he returned for a touchdown. He’ll start.
Vikings
Tramaine Brock, DB: The Gulfport native and former Belhaven Blazer hasn’t had the kind of successful season he became accustomed to during his seven years in San Francisco, but he’s appeared in 11 games despite various injuries. He will likely appear in some nickel packages Sunday.
Rashod Hill, OL: The former Southern Miss Golden Eagle has appeared in 12 games for the Vikings in his first full season with the organization. He has mainly served as a backup and should spell Minnesota’s starting left tackle Riley Reiff during Sunday’s game.
Tom Johnson, DL: The Moss Point native and former Southern Miss standout is in his seventh season (and fourth in Minnesota). He’s appeared in all 16 games for the Vikings this season, racking up 32 total tackles and two sacks. He’ll start at defensive tackle in Minnesota’s 4-3 defense.
Laquon Treadwell, WR: The former Ole Miss Rebel took on a larger role in 2017 after making just one catch in his rookie season last year. Vikings quarterback Case Keenum has targeted him 35 times, and Treadwell has caught 20 passes for 200 yards. He’ll be active for Sunday’s game.
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Previously eliminated:
Titans
Kalan Reed, DB: The Southern Miss alum has played sparingly in his second season with Tennessee. He’s appeared in three games and has been credited with one pass breakup. He’s currently slated as the third-string corner.
Brynden Trawick, DB: Although not a regular starter or backup, the Northeast Mississippi Community College alum has appeared in all 16 regular season games for the Titans this season. He is listed on the team's site as the third-string free safety.
Steelers
Mike Hilton, DB: The former Ole Miss Rebel has gone from undrafted practice squad player to a key player for the Steelers' defense. He’s racked up 42 tackles, four sacks and one pick this season, though he’s mostly used in nickel packages as a third cornerback, a role that might not get as many snaps against the run-happy Jaguars.
More: Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Hilton, a former Ole Miss player, has record game (A-Gap)
Lavon Hooks, DL: The former Ole Miss Rebel has been on Pittsburgh’s practice squad all season. He probably won’t be active for Saturday’s game, but would be in line for a Super Bowl ring if the Steelers win it all.
Stevan Ridley, RB: The Natchez native and former LSU Tiger thought his career was over until the Steelers called him late in the season. He only appeared in the final two games of the regular season, rushing for 108 yards on 26 carries with one touchdown. He’ll help spell starter Le’Veon Bell Sunday.
Alejandro Villanueva, OL: Born in Meridian into an Army family, Villanueva left Mississippi for Belgium before high school. He played his college ball at Army, served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and last year signed a four-year, $24 million contract with the Steelers. He’s started every game this season at tackle and is slated to start Sunday.
Saints
Woodrow Hamilton, DL: The Raleigh native and former Ole Miss Rebel was added to the active roster Thursday morning after a slew of injuries sidelined a few Saints regulars. Hamilton hasn't played in a game since last season when he appeared in two for the New England Patriots.
Jeremy Liggins, OL: The Saints signed the former Ole Miss Rebel to their practice squad after promoting Woodrow Hamilton Thursday morning.
Cameron Tom, OL: The Saints bumped the former Southern Miss Golden Eagle to the active roster in October, and he’s stayed there despite not getting any playing time. Though he’s a center by trade, Tom’s currently slated as the backup to starting right guard Larry Warford.
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