Kansas State University Athletics
Twelve Former Wildcats Land on NFL Rosters
Sep 01, 2014 | Football
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State had 12 former players make NFL teams as the league mandated teams to trim their rosters to 53 players for the upcoming season on Saturday. Of the 12 players, six are on offense and six are on defense.
The longest-tenured former Wildcats include cornerback Terence Newman, running back Darren Sproles and offensive lineman Jeromey Clary. Newman, who is in his 12th season, is in his third campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals after spending his first nine years with the Dallas Cowboys. Sproles enters his 10th NFL season with his third different team as he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles this past offseason. Sproles spent his first six seasons in San Diego and the next three with the New Orleans Saints. Clary, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, is entering his eighth NFL season with the San Diego Chargers but will begin the year on the physically unable to perform list.
A pair of undrafted rookie free agents off last year's Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl Championship squad made NFL rosters as offensive lineman Cornelius Lucas earned a spot on the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster and defensive back Ty Zimmerman was placed on injured reserve by the Saints. Three other former Wildcats currently on NFL rosters originally entered the league as undrafted players in Emmanuel Lamur (Cincinnati), Justin Tuggle (Houston) and Reggie Walker (San Diego). In addition, sixth-round draft pick Tavon Rooks was signed to the Saints' practice squad.
More K-State players could make NFL rosters as teams fill out their practice squads.
The 2014 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 4, while a full slate a games are scheduled for Sunday, September 7.
Wildcats in the NFL - As of Sept. 1, 2014
Name Organization Pos. NFL Exp.
Arthur Brown Baltimore LB 2
Bryce Brown Buffalo RB 3
Jeromey Clary* San Diego OL 8
Emmanuel Lamur Cincinnati LB 3
Cornelius Lucas Detroit OL R
Jordy Nelson Green Bay WR 6
Terence Newman Cincinnati CB 12
Tavon Rooks# New Orleans OT R
Darren Sproles Philadelphia RB 10
Justin Tuggle Houston LB 2
Reggie Walker San Diego LB 6
Ty Zimmerman^ New Orleans S R
* Denotes placed on physically unable to perform list
# Denotes signed to practice squad
^ Denotes placed on injured reserve