UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Week 16 in the National Football League saw 50 Penn State Football alums populate the rosters of 26 National Football League organizations. Former Penn State tight ends continued to shine, while Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley and Jacksonville receiver Parker Washington had big days in their teams’ victories.
Penn State tight ends have enjoyed strong 2025 campaigns and added to it this past week. Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki hauled in a 17-yard touchdown, among three receptions, in the Bengals’ win over the Miami Dolphins. Jacksonville tight end Brenton Strange secured a 3-yard touchdown grab and added four other receptions in the Jaguars’ 34-20 win over the Denver Broncos. In 2025, Penn State tight ends have combined for 17 receiving touchdowns, most of any school.
Barkley posted his third 100-yard rushing day this season in the Eagles’ 29-18 victory against the Washington Commanders. He rushed for 132 yards on 21 carries, including a 48-yard rush. Barkley added a 12-yard touchdown and a two-point conversion rush.
Washington earned his second career 100-yard receiving game. He hauled in six receptions for a career-best 145 yards. He made a 12-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter and added catches of 63, 24, 21 and 20 yards.
On the defensive side, New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter notched a sack and four quarterback hits in the Giants’ setback against the Minnesota Vikings. Atlanta Falcons linebacker Arnold Ebiketie recorded a solo sack in the Falcons’ 26-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Buffalo Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones registered four tackles and an interception in the Bills’ 23-20 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
On Monday night, safety Ji’Ayir Brown helped the San Francisco 49ers to a 48-27 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Brown recorded nine tackles, including one for loss, and forced a fumble on a kickoff return.
Here’s how all 50 former Nittany Lions fared in Week 16:
Saquon Barkley, RB (2015-17), Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 29, Commanders 18
- Second season with Philadelphia (eighth in the NFL)
- Rushed for 132 yards on 21 carries, including a long rush of 48 yards.
- Scored on a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter and added a successful two-point conversion rush.
- Posted third 100-yard rushing game this season.
- Played 54 snaps on offense
Ryan Bates, OL (2016-18), Chicago Bears
Bears 22, Packers 16
- Second season with Chicago (seventh in the NFL)
- Played four snaps, all on special teams
Jaquan Brisker, S (2019-21), Chicago Bears
Bears 22, Packers 16
- Fourth season with Chicago (fourth in the NFL)
- Collected eight tackles, including two solo.
- Played 72 defensive snaps and four on special teams
Ji’Ayir Brown, S (2020-22), San Francisco 49ers
49ers 48, Colts 27
- Third season with San Francisco (third in the NFL)
- Notched nine tackles, including five solo.
- Registered one tackle for loss.
- Forced a fumble on a kickoff return.
- Played all 60 snaps on defense and nine on special teams.
Abdul Carter, LB (2022-24), New York Giants
Vikings 16, Giants 13
- First season with the New York Giants (first in the NFL)
- Recorded two tackles.
- Notched a solo sack.
- Added four quarterback hits.
- Played 55 defensive snaps.
Tariq Castro-Fields, CB (2017-21) - Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 29, Commanders 18
- Second season with Philadelphia (fourth in the NFL)
- On practice squad
Dan Chisena, WR (2015-19) - Carolina Panthers
Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20
- First season with Carolina (fifth in the NFL)
- On practice squad
Sean Clifford, QB (2017-22) - Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 45, Dolphins 21
- First season with Cincinnati (third in the NFL)
- On practice squad
Jahan Dotson, WR (2018-21), Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 29, Commanders 18
- Second season with Philadelphia (fourth in the NFL)
- Caught three passes for 13 yards.
- Played 46 offensive snaps
Arnold Ebiketie, LB (2021), Atlanta Falcons
Falcons 26, Cardinals 19
- Fourth season with Atlanta (fourth in the NFL)
- Recorded a solo sack.
- Added a quarterback hit.
- Played four defensive snaps.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL (2020-23), New York Jets
Saints 29, Jets 6
- Second season with the New York Jets (second in the NFL)
- Has started every game at tackle this season
- Played all 66 offensive snaps and two on special teams
Pat Freiermuth, TE (2018-20), Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 29, Lions 24
- Fifth season with Pittsburgh (fifth in the NFL)
- Caught four passes for 20 yards.
- Had a long reception of 11 yards.
- Played 32 offensive snaps.
Will Fries, OL (2017-20), Minnesota Vikings
Vikings 16, Giants 13
- First season with Minnesota (fifth in the NFL)
- Has started every game this season
- Played all 61 offensive snaps and four on special teams.
Mike Gesicki, TE (2014-17), Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 45, Dolphins 21
- Second season with Cincinnati (seventh in the NFL)
- Caught three passes, on four targets, for 35 yards.
- Hauled in a 17-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
- Played 29 snaps on offense.
Blake Gillikin, P (2016-19), Arizona Cardinals
Falcons 26, Cardinals 19
- Third season with Arizona (sixth in the NFL)
- Currently on injured reserve
Kevin Givens, DT (2016-18), San Francisco 49ers
49ers 48, Colts 27
- Sixth season with San Francisco (sixth in the NFL)
- Did not record a snap in Monday’s game.
Chris Godwin, WR (2014-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20
- Ninth season with Tampa Bay (ninth in the NFL)
- Caught five passes for 30 yards.
- Had a long catch of 13 yards.
- Recorded 41 offensive snaps.
Yetur Gross-Matos, DE (2017-19), San Francisco 49ers
49ers 48, Colts 27
- Second season with San Francisco (sixth in the NFL)
- Activated from injured reserve for Monday’s game.
- Played 18 snaps on defense and one on special teams.
Daequan Hardy, CB (2019-23) - Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 29, Lions 24
- First season with Pittsburgh (second in the NFL)
- On practice squad
Adisa Isaac, DE (2019-23), Baltimore Ravens
Patriots 28, Ravens 24
- Second season with Baltimore (second in the NFL)
- On injured reserve
Coziah Izzard, DT (2020-24), New Orleans Saints
Saints 29, Jets 6
- First season with New Orleans (first in the NFL)
- On practice squad
Austin Johnson, DT (2013-15), Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 34, Broncos 20
- First season with Jacksonville (ninth in the NFL)
- Played 16 snaps on defense and five on special teams.
Theo Johnson, TE (2020-23), New York Giants
Vikings 16, Giants 13
- Second season with the New York Giants (second in the NFL)
- Made the start and had two targets.
- Played 54 snaps on offense.
DaQuan Jones, DT (2010-13), Buffalo Bills
Bills 23, Browns 20
- Fourth season with Buffalo (12th in the NFL)
- Recorded four stops, including two solo.
- Had an interception in the third quarter
- Played 40 defensive snaps and five on special teams
Jalen Kimber, CB (2024) - Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 45, Dolphins 21
- First season with Cincinnati (first in the NFL)
- On practice squad
Kalen King, CB (2021-23), Carolina Panthers
Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20
- First season with Carolina (second in the NFL)
- On practice squad
Kobe King, LB (2021-24), New York Jets
Saints 29, Jets 6
- First season with New York (first in the NFL)
- Recorded a solo tackle.
- Played 18 snaps, all on special teams
Jesse Luketa, LB (2018-21), Los Angeles Rams
Seahawks 38, Rams 37
- First season with Los Angeles (fourth in the NFL)
- On practice squad.
Connor McGovern, OL (2016-18), Buffalo Bills
Bills 23, Browns 20
- Third season with Buffalo (seventh in the NFL)
- Has started every game this season
- Played all 50 offensive snaps
PJ Mustipher, DT (2018-22), Arizona Cardinals
Falcons 26, Cardinals 19
- Second season with Arizona (second in the NFL)
- Assisted on one tackle.
- Played 28 defensive snaps and five on special teams
Hunter Nourzad, OL (2022-23), Kansas City Chiefs
Titans 26, Chiefs 9
- Second season with Kansas City (second in the NFL)
- Played one snap on offense and four on special teams.
Amani Oruwariye, CB (2015-18), Baltimore Ravens
Patriots 28, Ravens 24
- First season with Baltimore (sixth in the NFL)
- On practice squad.
Odafe Oweh, LB (2019-20), Los Angeles Chargers
Chargers 34, Cowboys 17
- First season with the Los Angeles Chargers (fifth in the NFL)
- Collected two tackles, one solo.
- Added a quarterback hit.
- Played 39 defensive snaps and three on special teams.
Micah Parsons, DL (2018-19), Green Bay Packers
Bears 22, Packers 16
- First season with Green Bay (fifth in the NFL)
- On injured reserve.
Joey Porter Jr., CB (2019-22), Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 29, Lions 24
- Third season with Pittsburgh (third in the NFL)
- Made six tackles, including four solo.
- Added two pass breakups.
- Played 73 defensive snaps.
Jaylen Reed, S (2021-24), Houston Texans
Texans 23, Raiders 21
- First season with Houston (first in the NFL)
- On injured reserve.
Chop Robinson, LB (2022-23), Miami Dolphins
Bengals 45, Dolphins 21
- Second season with Miami (second in the NFL)
- Tallied three solo tackles.
- Assisted on a sack and added a quarterback hit.
- Played 42 defensive snaps.
Miles Sanders, RB (2016-18), Dallas Cowboys
Chargers 34, Cowboys 17
- First season with Dallas (seventh in the NFL)
- On injured reserve
Nick Scott, S (2015-18), Carolina Panthers
Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20
- Second season with Carolina (seventh in the NFL)
- Secured 10 tackles, including nine solo.
- Played 60 snaps on defense and one on special teams.
Juice Scruggs, OL (2018-22), Houston Texans
Texans 23, Raiders 21
- Third season with Houston (three in the NFL)
- Played five snaps on special teams
Chris Stoll, LS (2017-22), Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks 38, Rams 37
- Third season with Seattle (third in the NFL)
- Played seven snaps on special teams
Jordan Stout, P (2019-21), Baltimore Ravens
Patriots 28, Ravens 24
- Fourth season with Baltimore (fourth in the NFL)
- Booted two punts for 84 yards with a long of 45.
- Landed one punt inside the 20.
- Played seven snaps on special teams
Brenton Strange, TE (2019-22), Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 34, Broncos 20
- Third season with Jacksonville (third in the NFL)
- Hauled in five catches for 39 yards.
- Caught a 3-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
- Had a long reception of 23 yards.
- Played 52 snaps on offense.
Mitchell Tinsley, WR (2022), Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 45, Dolphins 21
- First season with Cincinnati (third in the NFL)
- Recorded 22 offensive snaps and six on special teams
Rasheed Walker, OL (2019-21), Green Bay Packers
Bears 22, Packers 16
- Fifth season with Green Bay (fifth in the NFL)
- Has started every game this season
- Recorded 72 snaps on offense and four on special teams
Caedan Wallace, OL (2019-23), New England Patriots
Patriots 28, Ravens 24
- Second season with New England (second in the NFL)
- Played four snaps on special teams.
Tyler Warren, TE (2020-24), Indianapolis Colts
49ers 48, Colts 27
- First season with Indianapolis (first in the NFL)
- Caught three passes for 30 yards.
- Longest reception was 19 yards.
- Played 53 snaps on offense and two on special teams.
Parker Washington, WR (2020-22), Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 34, Broncos 20
- Third season with Jacksonville (third in the NFL)
- Caught six passes for career-high 145 yards and one touchdown.
- Made a 12-yard touchdown grab in the first quarter.
- Had catches of 63, 24, 21 and 20 yards
- Earned second career 100-yard receiving game.
- Played 39 snaps on offense and three on special teams.
Kevin Winston Jr., S (2022-24), Tennessee Titans
Titans 26, Chiefs 9
- First season with Tennessee (first in the NFL)
- On injured reserve.
Sal Wormley, OL (2019-24), Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 34, Broncos 20
- First season with Jacksonville (first in the NFL)
- On practice squad
The 2025 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.