2 former Bulldogs likely to be drafted

PERKINSTON — Mississippi Gulf Coast expects to have two former players selected in the NFL Draft, which starts Thursday night.

Isaiah Buggs played for the Bulldogs in 2015 and 2016, where he was a two-time All-MACJC South defensive end. The Ruston, La., native went on to play two seasons at Alabama, where he won a national championship in 2017 and played in the title game again last season.

He finished his Gulf Coast career with 97 solo tackles, 37 assists, 18 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. At Alabama, Buggs had 44 tackles and 58 assists, including 17.5 tackles for loss. He had 9.5 of his career 11 sacks during his senior season, when he also forced two fumbles, recovered one and deflected three passes.

Saivion Smith, a defensive back from Tampa, Fla., played for Gulf Coast in 2017. He had 27 tackles and four assists, including one tackle for loss and a forced fumble. He intercepted two passes for 63 yards and scored touchdowns on a kick return and a punt return.

At Alabama, he played in the national championship game last season and finished with 36 solo tackles, 24 assists, three interceptions and eight passes defended. He ran an interception back for a touchdown.

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