Dak Prescott

Classroom

Dak Prescott is a two-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll. After receiving his undergraduate degree in educational psychology in December 2014, he went on to finish his masters degree in workforce leadership in December 2015.

Character

Unlike some major college football players, Prescott has never had even a whiff of off-the-field trouble in his time in Starkville. Prescott was raised as the youngest son of a single mother, who died of cancer during the middle of the 2013 season. He played the next week because he didn’t want to let his teammates down. When he was brutally attacked during Spring Break, he declined to press charges because he didn’t want to be a distraction to his team. He has M.O.M. tattooed on his wrist to remind him of his mom and also for “Mind Over Matter.” He continues to raise awareness for cancer-related issues, doing whatever he can to support finding a cure. When Prescott suffered a stinger in late 2013, he missed time and did not start in the Egg Bowl, MSU’s rivalry game vs. Ole Miss. With his team trailing late in the game, he came off the bench and led MSU to a dramatic victory over its rivals, cementing his legacy while showing his toughness and resiliency.

Dak also made an appearance on the Paul Finebaum Show. You can watch the interview here: http://www.secsports.com/video/13773120/prescott-making-most-every-play

Community

Prescott was on the watch list for the 2015 Wuerrfel Trophy, which is presented annually to the college football player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement. In July 2015 he spoke to a group of teenage boys at Ignite Sports Camps about working hard, dedication and passion. In June 2015 Prescott spent time at Camp Rising Sun, where he visited with kids who are battling cancer, and at Camp Jabber Jaw, where he visited children who require augmentative and alternative devices for speech and communication. In May 2015 Prescott went back to his hometown of Haughton, La., and volunteered at the Haughton High School Football Skills Camp. He also volunteered as a camp counselor at the Manning Passing Academy this summer. He even has given speeches to MSU teams on campus before NCAA Championships. The moment his first SI cover was released he was speaking to elementary school students in Starkville. In February he spoke at the Metro Jackson (MS) College Fair where he addressed hundreds of prospective high school students about the importance of hard work and getting an education. Every July he visits the Blair E. Batson Hospital for Children, and he also visited a children’s hospital in Miami while he was there for the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Competition

Dak Prescott is a two-time All-American who ranks as one of the best quarterbacks in SEC history. The owner of 38 school records (8 single-game, 15 single-season, 15 career), he is one of four players in FBS history and the second player in Southeastern Conference history behind Tim Tebow to throw for 60 touchdowns and rush for 40 touchdowns in a career. He also is one of 10 players in FBS history and the second player in SEC history to pass for 8,500 yards and rush for 2,000 yards. Accounting for 110 career touchdowns, Prescott is also the first SEC player since Tebow in 2008-09 to lead his team in rushing and passing in two different seasons. The SEC’s active career leader in total offense, touchdowns responsible for, pass completions, passing yards, touchdown passes, rushing touchdowns, and rushing yards by a quarterback, Prescott has thrown for more than 250 yards a school record 17 times and owns a school record eight 300-yard passing games.

This season, Prescott received the 2015 Conerly Trophy, which is given to the best football player in the state of Mississippi, while also being named a finalist for the Manning Award and the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and a semifinalist for the Maxwell Award and the Davey O’Brien Award. He was named a member of Phil Steele’s All-America Third Team, while earning All-SEC first-team honors from the coaches, Associated Press, ESPN.com, Athlon Sports and Phil Steele after leading his team to an 8-4 regular-season record and an appearance in a school-record sixth straight bowl game. Prescott accounted for 35 total touchdowns and 3,954 yards of total offense and wa one of four players nationally with at least 25 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Along with his other honors, Prescott, this season, became only the second quarterback in school history to earn consecutive All-SEC first-team honors (Billy Stacy, 1956-57).