Jan. 6, 2018
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - As the National Football League playoffs begin this weekend, 13 former Nittany Lions begin their quest to compete for the Super Bowl LII title. The Penn State Football players dot the rosters of nine NFL teams in the playoff hunt.
A total of 30 Penn State football alumni are populating the rosters of 22 National Football League teams. The Nittany Lions annually are among the top 20 programs nationally in producing players in the NFL.
Among the Nittany Lions on NFL Playoff rosters are: linebacker Paul Posluszny (Jacksonville), linebacker Tamba Hali (Kansas City), kicker Sam Ficken (Los Angeles Rams), linebacker Garrett Sickels (Los Angeles Rams), tight end Kyle Carter (Minnesota), linebacker Michael Mauti (New Orleans), guard Stefan Wisniewski (Philadelphia), tight end Jesse James (Pittsburgh) and defensive lineman Austin Johnson (Tennessee). Additionally, former men's lacrosse player Chris Hogan is on the active roster for the New England Patriots. Defensive end Jack Crawford (Atlanta), wide receiver Allen Robinson (Jacksonville), linebackerNate Stupar (New Orleans) and defensive tackle DaQuan Jones (Tennessee) are all members of playoff teams, but are on injured reserve.
Johnson's Titans open the playoffs at Hali's Chiefs Saturday at 4:35 p.m. on ESPN. Johnson started three out of the Titans' last four games in place of injured fellow Penn Stater DaQuan Jones, and will make his playoff debut in his second season in the NFL. Hali was limited by injury to five games this season, as the Chiefs won the AFC West to earn their third consecutive playoff appearance. It will be Hali's sixth trip to the playoffs.
Saturday night, the Los Angeles Rams look to get contributions from a pair of Nittany Lions with just three combined games of NFL experience. Ficken beat out a dozen competitors to replace injured Pro Bowler Greg Zuerlien prior to Week 16, and is 2-for-3 on field goals and 4-for-5 on extra points in two games, while Sickels was signed off the practice squad prior to the regular season finale for his pro debut. The NFC West Champion Rams host the defending NFC Champion Falcons at 8:15 p.m. on NBC.
Sunday, 11-year veteran Paul Posluszny makes his playoff debut when the AFC South Champion Jaguars host the Bills, the team that drafted him in 2007, at 1:05 p.m. on CBS. Posluszny spent four seasons in Buffalo before spending the last seven in Jacksonville. A team captain, Posluszny saw a reduced on-field role during the regular season, but still appeared in all 16 games and made 11 starts, registering 61 tackles, 1.5 sacks and two pass breakups.
"Linebacker U" will also be represented in the late-game Sunday, as Michael Mauti makes his playoffs debut with the NFC South Champion Saints at 4:40 p.m. on FOX. Mauti did not initially make the Saints roster out of the preseason, but a season-ending injury to fellow LBU alum Nate Stupar created a roster spot that Mauti filled in Week 7. Mauti primarily contributed on special teams, but drew two starts at linebacker.
All four Divisional Round hosts feature Nittany Lions, starting Saturday, Jan. 13 at 4:35 p.m. on NBC with the NFC's East Division Champion and No. 1 seed, the Philadelphia Eagles. Wisniewski helped anchor the Eagles' offensive line, appearing in 14 games and making 11 starts, and makes his NFL postseason debut.
Hogan was an early contributor to the New England Patriots' AFC East title run, but missed seven of the final eight games due to injury. Despite missing his contributions, the Patriots clinched AFC's No. 1 seed to earn the bye and will host a Divisional Playoff game Saturday, Jan. 13 at 8:15 p.m. on CBS. Hogan was on pace for a career year and finished the regular season with 34 receptions for 349 yards. He surpassed his career high for receiving touchdowns with five in just nine games.
The divisional round continues Sunday, Jan. 14 with a pair of former Penn State tight ends. The AFC North Champion Steelers will host at 1:05 p.m. on CBS and feature Jesse James, who is making his third consecutive playoff appearance in as many seasons in the NFL. James continued to improve in 2017, setting career highs for starts (14), receptions (40) and receiving yards (372), while matching his previous high for receiving touchdowns (3). The Steelers also include a Penn State alum in their coaching ranks, as Mike Munchak coaches the offensive line.
The NFC North Champion Minnesota Vikings will host at 4:40 p.m. on FOX with Kyle Carter bolstering their tight end ranks. Carter had been on the Vikings practice squad since signing with them prior to the 2016 season, and was signed to the active roster for the final three regular season games of the year.
Super Bowl LI marked the 45th time in the NFL Championship contest's history that at least one Penn State football alumnus was a member of one of the participating teams. Former Nittany Lion standout Jordan Norwood helped Denver to the Super Bowl 50 Championship. In all, 38 former Nittany Lion football players have earned a total of 55 Super Bowl rings. Former men's lacrosse standout Chris Hogan won a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots last season.