UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A total of 46 Penn State Football alumni are populating the rosters of 24 National Football League organizations. The Nittany Lions annually rank among the top 20 programs nationally in producing players in the NFL.
Saquon Barkley recorded the fifth-highest single-game rushing total of his career in Philadelphia’s win over New Orleans on Sunday, amassing 147 yards on the ground. In his third game as an Eagle, Barkley also rushed for two touchdowns and caught four passes. In 2024, he leads the NFL in rushing yards, yards per game, and is tied for the league lead with four rushing scores. For the Buccaneers, Chris Godwin caught a touchdown pass once again, and is tied for the league lead with three receiving scores on the season. Additionally, Mike Gesicki recorded 47 receiving yards against the Commanders on Monday night, bringing his season total to 156, which is third-most in the NFL among tight ends.
Defensively, Jaquan Brisker’s six tackles against the Colts on Sunday brought his season total to 23, which ranks ninth among safeties in the NFL this season. Blake Gillikin put on another solid display punting the football for the Cardinals, averaging 52.0 yards per punt against the Lions. Gillikin currently ranks 11th in the NFL in net punting.
Penn State’s rookies achieved milestones this week as well, with Curtis Jacobs making his NFL debut for the Patriots, while Caedan Wallace tallied his first NFL start, also for New England. Also, Olumuyiwa Fashanu played his first offensive snaps for the Jets in their win over the Giants.
Here’s how these former Nittany Lion greats fared in Week 3 of the 2024 NFL season.
Saquon Barkley (2015-17) RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 15, Saints 12
- Recorded 17 carries for 147 yards, the fifth-highest single-game total of his career.
- Posted the longest rush in the NFL this season with a 65-yard scamper against the Saints.
- Added two rushing touchdowns, bringing his season total to four.
- Caught four passes for nine yards.
- Leads the NFL in rushing yards (351), rushing yards per game (117.0), and is tied for the league lead with four rushing touchdowns. Is second in the NFL in total scoring, having amassed 34 points through three games.
Ryan Bates (2016-18) OL, Chicago Bears
Colts 21, Bears 16
- Was active, but did not see action.
Jaquan Brisker (2019-21) S, Chicago Bears
Colts 21, Bears 16
- Totaled six tackles (3 solo).
- Is ninth among safeties in the NFL with 23 total tackles through three weeks.
Cam Brown (2016-19) LB, Miami Dolphins
Seahawks 24, Dolphins 3
- Currently is on injured reserve.
Ji’Ayir Brown (2020-22) S, San Francisco 49ers
Rams 27, 49ers 24
- Totaled four tackles (2 solo).
- Defended two passes.
Tariq Castro-Fields (2017-21) CB, Carolina Panthers
Panthers 36, Raiders 22
- Was inactive.
Dan Chisena (2015-19) WR, Arizona Cardinals
Lions 20, Cardinals 13
- Is a member of Arizona’s practice squad.
Sean Clifford (2017-22) QB, Green Bay Packers
Packers 30, Titans 14
- Is a member of Green Bay’s practice squad.
Jahan Dotson (2018-21) WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 15, Saints 12
- Hauled in two passes for eight yards.
Arnold Ebiketie (2021) LB, Atlanta Falcons
Chiefs 22, Falcons 17
- Made one solo stop.
- Tallied a quarterback hit.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu (2020-23) OL, New York Jets
Jets 24, Patriots 3
- Saw the first offensive action of his NFL career.
- Also played on special teams.
Pat Freiermuth (2018-20) TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 20, Chargers 10
- Caught four passes for 33 yards.
Will Fries (2017-20) OL, Indianapolis Colts
Colts 21, Bears 16
- Made his third start of the season on the offensive line.
- Has played on every offensive snap for the Colts this season.
Mike Gesicki (2014-17) TE, Cincinnati Bengals
Commanders 38, Bengals 33
- Caught four passes for 47 yards.
- Is third in the NFL among tight ends with 156 receiving yards through three games.
Blake Gillikin (2016-19) P, Arizona Cardinals
Lions 20, Cardinals 13
- Punted five times for 260 yards, averaging 52.0 yards-per-punt.
- Landed one punt inside the 20 and posted long punt of 63 yards.
- Is 11th in the NFL with a 42.4 mark in net punting average.
Kevin Givens (2016-18) DT, San Francisco 49ers
Rams 27, 49ers 24
- Assisted on one tackle.
Chris Godwin (2014-16) WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Broncos 26, Buccaneers 7
- Hauled in six passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.
- Tied for the league lead with three receiving scores. Ranks seventh in the NFL with 253 receiving yards.
Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19) DE, San Francisco 49ers
Rams 27, 49ers 24
- Saw action on defense and special teams
KJ Hamler (2017-2019) WR, Buffalo Bills
Bills 47, Jaguars 10
- Is a member of Buffalo’s practice squad.
Daequan Hardy (2019-23) CB, Buffalo Bills
Bills 47, Jaguars 10
- Is a member of Buffalo’s practice squad.
Adisa Isaac (2019-23) LB, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens 28, Cowboys 25
- Was inactive.
Curtis Jacobs (2020-23) LB, New England Patriots
Jets 24, Patriots 3
- Made his NFL debut on special teams for New England.
Austin Johnson (2013-15) DT, Buffalo Bills
Bills 47, Jaguars 10
- Posted a solo stop.
Theo Johnson (2020-23) TE, New York Giants
Giants 21, Browns 15
- Caught one pass for 13 yards.
DaQuan Jones (2010-13) DL, Buffalo Bills
Bills 47, Jaguars 10
- Assisted on one tackle.
Kalen King (2021-23) CB, Green Bay Packers
Packers 30, Titans 14
- Is a member of Green Bay’s practice squad.
Jesse Luketa (2018-21) LB, Arizona Cardinals
Lions 20, Cardinals 13
- Was inactive.
Connor McGovern (2016-18) OL, Buffalo Bills
Bills 47, Jaguars 10
- Made his third start of the season on Buffalo’s offensive line.
PJ Mustipher (2018-22) DL, Arizona Cardinals.
Lions 20, Cardinals 13
- Is a member of Arizona’s practice squad.
Hunter Nourzad (2022-23) OL, Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs 22, Falcons 17
- Saw action on special teams.
Amani Oruwariye (2015-18) CB, Dallas Cowboys
Ravens 28, Cowboys 25
- Oruwariye is on Dallas’ practice squad.
Odafe Oweh (2019-20) LB, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens 28, Cowboys 25
- Tallied a quarterback hit.
Micah Parsons (2018-19) LB, Dallas Cowboys
Ravens 28, Cowboys 25
- Made five tackles (4 solo).
- Recorded a quarterback hit.
Joey Porter Jr. (2019-22) CB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 20, Chargers 10
- Tallied four tackles (3 solo), including a tackle for loss.
Chop Robinson (2022-23) LB, Miami Dolphins
Seahawks 24, Dolphins 3
- Made a solo stop.
Allen Robinson II (2011-13) WR, Detroit Lions
Lions 20, Cardinals 13
- Is a member of Detroit’s practice squad.
Miles Sanders (2016-18) RB, Carolina Panthers
Panthers 36, Raiders 22
- Rushed seven times for 17 yards and a touchdown.
- Caught two passes for 13 yards.
Nick Scott (2015-18) S, Carolina Panthers
Panthers 36, Raiders 22
- Tallied six tackles (4 solo).
Juice Scruggs (2018-22) OL, Houston Texans
Vikings 34, Texans 7
- Made his second start of the season and played 100 percent of Houston’s offensive snaps.
Chris Stoll (2017-22) LS, Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks 24, Dolphins 3
- Serves as Seattle’s primary long snapper.
Jordan Stout (2019-21) P, Baltimore Ravens
Ravens 28, Cowboys 25
- Punted four times for 171 yards, averaging 42.8 yards per punt.
- Recorded a long punt of 55 yards.
Brenton Strange (2019-22) TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bills 47, Jaguars 10
- Caught two passes for 12 yards and a touchdown.
Mitchell Tinsley (2022) WR, Washington Commanders
Commanders 38, Bengals 33
- Is a member of Washington’s practice squad.
Rasheed Walker (2019-21) OL, Green Bay Packers
Packers 30, Titans 14
- Made his third start of the season on the offensive line.
- Has played in every offensive snap this season for Green Bay.
Caedan Wallace (2019-23) OL, New England Patriots
Jets 24, Patriots 3
- Made the first start of his NFL career.
Parker Washington (2020-22) WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bills 47, Jaguars 10
- Hauled. in two passes for 18 yards
The 2024 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.