Slay Named MSU’s 2026 SEC Football Legend
STARKVILLE — Former standout cornerback Darius Slay, whose lockdown coverage and game-changing instincts made him a household name in Starkville, has been named Mississippi State's 2026 SEC Football Legend.A native of Brunswick, Georgia, Slay arrived at Mississippi State after playing his first two collegiate seasons at Itawamba Community College. He quickly cemented himself as a cornerstone of the Bulldog defense across the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In his breakout senior campaign, Slay earned All-SEC honors and was named an honorable mention All-American. He led the Southeastern Conference and tied for ninth nationally with five interceptions, totaling 40 tackles and six pass breakups.Slay delivered several unforgettable moments in Maroon and White, most notably a dazzling 72-yard interception return for a touchdown against Georgia in 2011—marking the 10th-longest pick-six in school history. He also sealed a victory over Arkansas with a clutch interception during the 2012 season. Across his two-year career, he amassed 63 tackles, six interceptions, 10 pass breakups and a forced fumble.Following his collegiate career, Slay was selected in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, launching an exceptional 13-year professional career characterized by rare longevity at one of football's most demanding positions. Earning the iconic moniker "Big Play Slay," he became one of the most productive cornerbacks of his era. Slay earned six Pro Bowl selections (three with Detroit and three with Philadelphia) and garnered First-Team All-Pro honors twice (2017, 2022). During his standout 2017 campaign, he led the entire NFL with eight interceptions and 26 passes defensed.Slay finished his professional career with 655 tackles, 163 passes defensed, 28 interceptions, and five defensive touchdowns. A fixture of perennial contention, he appeared in two Super Bowls with the Philadelphia Eagles, ultimately capping his five-year tenure in Philadelphia by winning Super Bowl LIX.Slay and his fellow 2026 SEC Football Legends will be honored during the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta on Dec. 5. Before the SEC Championship Game, Slay and his class will be recognized at the SEC Legends Reception presented by T-Mobile at the College Football Hall of Fame on Dec. 4, and will participate in SEC FanFare activities at the Georgia World Congress Center on Dec. 5 prior to kickoff. The SEC Legends program is now in its 31st year.Slay joins an incredibly talented list of SEC Legends from Mississippi State: Johnny Baker (1994), Jimmy Webb (1995), Hunter Corhern (1996), Steve Freeman (1997), Johnie Cooks (1998), D.D. Lewis (1999), Kent Hull (2000), Rockey Felker (2001), Harper Davis (2002), Tyrone Keys (2003), Art Davis (2004), Joe Fortunato (2005), Wayne Harris (2006), Billy Jackson (2007), Tom Goode (2008), Billy Stacy (2009), Eric Moulds (2010), Tom Neville (2011), Walt Harris (2012), Glen Collins (2013), Fred Smoot (2014), Mario Haggan (2015), Randy Thomas (2016), Floyd Womack (2017), Mardye McDole (2018), Barrin Simpson (2019), K.J. Wright (2022), Reggie Kelly (2023), Fletcher Cox (2024) and Gabe Jackson (2025).For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on X, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
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