Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott: Graduate, Friend, Family
By: Sarah Nicholas
Mississippi State University legend Rayne Dakota “Dak” Prescott shot to fame during his tenure at the land-grant institution, bringing national attention to his football team as well as his university. He also made an impact in the classroom earning his Bachelor of Science degree in interdisciplinary studies in the College of Arts and Sciences in 2014. Later he earned his master’s degree in workforce education leadership in the College of Education at MSU in 2015.
Dak helped MSU football make history during the 2014 football season, MSU was ranked number one in the nation, a feat never before reached for this university. “The Dak Effect” sent MSU into uncharted territory, with enrollment for 2015 climbing to 20,873 students, breaking records at that time. MSU football tickets became a highly sought-after commodity, stadium attendance bulged and the community of Starkville welcomed fans from around the country.
Selected by the Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, Dak was designated to serve as a backup to Tony Romo during his rookie season. However, when an injury forced Romo to sit out, Dak stepped in and set several rookie quarterback records last year, earning the title of NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and a spot in the Pro Bowl selection.
While at MSU, among his many honors Dak was named the 2016 Senior Bowl Most Outstanding Player, received the 2015 Senior Class Award and the 2014 and 2015 Conerly Trophy. He was also named to the 2013, 2014, and 2015 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll and was named the 2015 SEC Offensive Player of the Week on two occasions.
Today, Dak still supports MSU from his home base in Texas. He stays in touch with his Starkville family and often supports MSU athletics and events through his twitter account, @dak.
Tweets during and after MSU football games are standard for Dak, who frequently shares MSU football tweets and throwback pictures of himself at MSU. Dak also used social media to assist the MSU Houston alumni chapter with their request for help in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.
After the MSU women’s basketball team’s Final Four defeat of UConn in a buzzer beater last March, Dak’s emotional celebration, caught on video, went viral. After the game, Dak told reporters he still supports MSU because “we’re family.”
Dak returned to Starkville this past June for a children’s one-day football camp. Excited to welcome home one of their favorite players, more than 1,400 kids participated.
Dak continues to support his alma mater in numerous ways and MSU fans continue to support one of their own. He is a legacy of the Bulldog Nation leaving his print on all of us.
“Mind over matter and faith. Believing that you can do anything. No matter the circumstances.”– Dak Prescott