UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Week one of the National Football League saw 48 Penn State football alums populate the rosters of 25 National Football League organizations.
Two former Nittany Lions made their NFL Debuts. Carolina safety Zakee Wheatley made a major impact in the Panthers’ 34-3 win over Atlanta. On Atlanta’s first play, Wheatley forced a fumble that was recovered by fellow former Nittany Lion Nick Scott. Wheatley added five tackles, four solo, in his first career start. Tennessee running back Nicholas Singleton gained 10 yards on four carries in the Titans’ 24-20 loss to Philadelphia.
On offense, Indianapolis tight end Tyler Warren made six catches for 21 yards and a 1-yard touchdown reception in the Colts’ 33-30 setback to Kansas City. Jacksonville wide receiver Parker Washington hauled in seven receptions for 98 yards in the Jaguars’ 20-13 loss to Denver. Three of Washington’s receptions went for first downs including a 32-yard catch.
On defense, San Francisco safety Ji’Ayir Brown tallied a career-high 13 tackles and a solo tackle for loss. Brown recorded his fourth career game with 10+ tackles in the 49ers’ 35-13 win over Miami. New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter secured three tackles and a solo sack in the Giants’ 28-6 loss against the Los Angeles Rams. Green Bay defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton made six stops and assisted on a sack in the Packers’ 20-17 win over the New York Jets.
Arizona punter Blake Gillikin averaged 41.3 yards per punt and landed three punts inside the 20 in the Cardinals’ 31-7 loss to Seattle. New York Giants punter Jordan Stout averaged 52.5 yards on six punts. He blasted punts of 58, 61 and 78 yards, while landing three punts inside the 20 and two inside the 10.
Here’s how all 48 former Nittany Lions fared in Week 2:
Drew Allar, QB (2022-25) - Pittsburgh Steelers
Patriots 20, Steelers 3
- First season with Pittsburgh (First in the NFL)
- Did not see any action in Pittsburgh’s loss against New England.
Kaytron Allen, RB (2022-25), Washington Commanders
Cowboys 37, Commanders 20
- First season with Washington (First in the NFL)
- Played six snaps on offense.
- Rushed for 24 yards on five carries with a long rush of nine yards.
Saquon Barkley, RB (2015-17), Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 24, Titans 20
- Third season with Philadelphia (Ninth in the NFL)
- Played 12 snaps on offense.
- Rushed for nine yards on four carries.
- Added one catch for 11 yards.
Jaquan Brisker, S (2019-21), Pittsburgh Steelers
Patriots 20, Steelers 3
- First season with Pittsburgh (Fifth in the NFL)
- Started and played 54 snaps on defense.
- Collected six tackles, including one solo.
Ji’Ayir Brown, S (2020-22), San Francisco 49ers
49ers 35, Dolphins 13
- Fourth season with San Francisco (Fourth in the NFL)
- Started and played 56 snaps on defense and six on special teams.
- Tallied career-high 13 tackles, including four solo.
- Recorded a solo tackle for loss.
- Notched fourth career 10+ tackle game.
Abdul Carter, LB (2022-24), New York Giants
Rams 28, Giants 6
- Second season with the New York Giants (Second in the NFL)
- Played 55 snaps on defense.
- Collected three tackles, one solo, and added a QB hit.
- Recorded a solo sack.
Sean Clifford, QB (2017-22) - Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 20, Texans 6
- Second season with Cincinnati (Fourth in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, DE (2022-25), Green Bay Packers
Packers 20, Jets 17
- First season with Green Bay (First in the NFL)
- Played 30 snaps on defense and 14 on special teams.
- Notched six tackles, including two solo stops.
- Assisted on a sack and added two quarterback hits.
Khalil Dinkins, TE (2021-25), San Francisco 49ers
49ers 35, Dolphins 13
- First season with San Francisco (First in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Jahan Dotson, WR (2018-21), Atlanta Falcons
Panthers 34, Falcons 3
- First season with Atlanta (Fifth in the NFL)
- Started and played 52 snaps on offense.
- Caught two passes for 11 yards with a long reception of 8 yards.
Zane Durant, DT (2022-25), Buffalo Bills
Bills 41, Lions 31
- First season with Buffalo (First in the NFL)
- Currently on injured reserve
Arnold Ebiketie, LB (2021), Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles 24, Titans 20
- First season with Philadelphia (Fifth in the NFL)
- Played 15 snaps on defense and nine on special teams.
- Tallied two tackles, including one solo.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL (2020-23), New York Jets
Packers 20, Jets 17
- Third season with the New York Jets (Third in the NFL)
- Started at left tackle for the second-straight game.
- Played all 74 snaps on offense and three snaps on special teams.
Pat Freiermuth, TE (2018-20), Pittsburgh Steelers
Patriots 20, Steelers 3
- Sixth season with Pittsburgh (Sixth in the NFL)
- Started and played 46 snaps on offense and five on special teams.
- Caught four passes for 32 yards, including a long reception of 9 yards.
- Added a 2-yard rush.
Will Fries, OL (2017-20), Minnesota Vikings
Vikings 9, Bears 3
- Second season with Minnesota (Sixth in the NFL)
- Started at right guard for the second-straight game.
- Played all 52 snaps on offense and three snaps on special teams.
Mike Gesicki, TE (2014-17), Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 20, Texans 6
- Third season with Cincinnati (Eighth in the NFL)
- Played 21 snaps on offense in Cincinnati’s win over Houston.
Blake Gillikin, P (2016-19), Arizona Cardinals
Seahawks 31, Cardinals 7
- Fourth season with Arizona (Seventh in the NFL)
- Played eight special teams snaps.
- Punted seven times for 289 yards, averaging 41.3 yards per punt.
- Landed three punts inside the 20.
Kevin Givens, DT (2016-18), San Francisco 49ers
49ers 35, Dolphins 13
- Seventh season with San Francisco (seventh in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad
Chris Godwin, WR (2014-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Browns 23, Buccaneers 19
- 10th season with Tampa Bay (10th in the NFL)
- Started and played 56 snaps on offense.
- Caught three passes for 46 yards including a long catch of 24 yards.
- Added a 12-yard rush.
Olaivavega Ioane, OL (2022-25), Baltimore Ravens
Saints 24, Ravens 17
- First season with Baltimore (First in the NFL)
- Started at right guard for the second-straight game.
- Played all 58 snaps on offense and four snaps on special teams.
Adisa Isaac, DE (2019-23), Baltimore Ravens
Saints 24, Ravens 17
- Third season with Baltimore (Third in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
DaQuan Jones, DT (2010-13), New England Patriots
Patriots 20, Steelers 3
- First season with New England (13th in the NFL)
- Recorded a solo tackle.
- Played 10 snaps on defense.
Theo Johnson, TE (2020-23), New York Giants
Rams 28, Giants 6
- Third season with the New York Giants (Third in the NFL)
- Played 16 snaps on offense and 12 snaps on special teams.
- Was targeted four times.
Kalen King, CB (2021-23), Arizona Cardinals
Seahawks 31, Cardinals 7
- First season with Arizona (Third in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
- Played five snaps on defense and four snaps on special teams.
Connor McGovern, OL (2016-18), Buffalo Bills
Bills 41, Lions 31
- Fourth season with Buffalo (Eighth in the NFL)
- Started at center for the second-straight game.
- Played all 74 snaps on offense.
Hunter Nourzad, OL (2022-23), Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs 33, Colts 30
- Third season with Kansas City (Third in the NFL)
- Played three snaps on offense and eight on special teams.
Amani Oruwariye, CB (2015-18), Baltimore Ravens
Saints 24, Ravens 17
- Second season with Baltimore (Seventh in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Odafe Oweh, LB (2019-20), Washington Commanders
Cowboys 37, Commanders 20
- First season with Washington (Sixth in the NFL)
- Started and played 35 snaps on defense.
- Recorded two solo tackles and a quarterback hit.
Micah Parsons, EDGE (2018-19), Green Bay Packers
Packers 20, Jets 17
- Second season with Green Bay (Sixth in the NFL)
- Currently on physically unable to perform list.
Trebor Peña, WR (2025), Jacksonville Jaguars
Broncos 20, Jaguars 13
- First season with Jacksonville (First in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Joey Porter Jr., CB (2019-22), Pittsburgh Steelers
Patriots 20, Steelers 3
- Fourth season with Pittsburgh (Fourth in the NFL)
- Did not play in the Pittsburgh’s win loss to New England.
Jaylen Reed, S (2021-24), New England Patriots
Patriots 20, Steelers 3
- First season with New England (Second in the NFL)
- Played 28 snaps on defense and 18 on special teams
- Secured two tackles, including one solo.
Chop Robinson, LB (2022-23), Miami Dolphins
49ers 35, Dolphins 13
- Third season with Miami (Third in the NFL)
- Did not play in Miami’s loss to San Francisco.
Nolan Rucci, OL (2024-25), Indianapolis Colts
Chiefs 33, Colts 30
- First season with Indianapolis (First in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Nick Scott, S (2015-18), Carolina Panthers
Panthers 34, Falcons 3
- Third season with Carolina (Eighth in the NFL).
- Started at safety and played five snaps on defense.
- Recorded one tackle and one fumble recovery.
- Recovered a fumble on the first play of the game that was forced by teammate and former Nittany Lion, Zakee Wheatley.
Juice Scruggs, OL (2018-22), Detroit Lions
Bills 41, Lions 31
- First season with Detroit (Fourth in the NFL)
- Started at center for the second-straight game.
- Played all 65 snaps on offense and five on special teams.
Drew Shelton, OL (2022-25), Dallas Cowboys
Cowboys 37, Commanders 20
- First season with Dallas (First in the NFL)
- Played one snap on offense and seven snaps on special teams.
Nicholas Singleton, RB (2022-25), Tennessee Titans
Eagles 24, Titans 20
- First season with Tennessee (First in the NFL)
- Made NFL debut.
- Played six snaps on offense and six on special teams.
- Gained 10 yards on four carries.
Chris Stoll, LS (2017-22), Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks 31, Cardinals 7
- Fourth season with Seattle (Fourth in the NFL)
- Played seven snaps on special teams.
Jordan Stout, P (2019-21), New York Giants
Rams 28, Giants 6
- First season with New York (Fifth in the NFL)
- Played eight snaps on special teams.
- Punted six times for 315 yards, averaging 52.5 yards per punt with a long of 78 yards.
- Added punts of 58 and 61 yards.
- Landed three punts inside the 20, including two punts inside the 10.
Brenton Strange, TE (2019-22), Jacksonville Jaguars
Broncos 20, Jaguars 13
- Fourth season with Jacksonville (Fourth in the NFL)
- Started and played 49 snaps on offense.
- Hauled in two catches for 17 yards with a long reception of 14 yards.
Mitchell Tinsley, WR (2022), Houston Texans
Bengals 20, Texans 6
- First season with Houston (Fourth in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Rasheed Walker, OL (2019-21), Carolina Panthers
Panthers 34, Falcons 3
- First season with Carolina (Sixth in the NFL)
- Started at left tackle for the second-straight game.
- Played 94 snaps on offense, plus six snaps on special teams.
Caedan Wallace, OL (2019-23), Miami Dolphins
49ers 35, Dolphins 13
- First season with Miami (First in the NFL)
- Played in three snaps on offense and four snaps on special teams.
Tyler Warren, TE (2020-24), Indianapolis Colts
Chiefs 33, Colts 30
- Second season with Indianapolis (Second in the NFL)
- Started and played 58 snaps on offense
- Made six receptions for 21 yards, including a long reception of eight yards.
- Caught a 1-yard touchdown in the first quarter, his second receiving touchdown this season.
- Added a three-yard rush.
Parker Washington, WR (2020-22), Jacksonville Jaguars
Broncos 20, Jaguars 13
- Fourth season with Jacksonville (Fourth in the NFL)
- Started and played 48 snaps on offense and three on special teams.
- Hauled in seven receptions for 98 yards and a long reception of 32 yards.
- Three receptions went for first downs.
- Added two punt returns for 12 yards.
Zakee Wheatley, S (2021-25), Carolina Panthers
Panthers 34, Falcons 3
- First season with Carolina (First in the NFL).
- Made his NFL debut and started at safety.
- Played 31 snaps on defense and nine on special teams.
- Tallied five tackles, including four solo.
- Forced a fumble on Atlanta’s first play of the game, which was recovered by teammate and former Nittany Lion, Nick Scott.
Kevin Winston Jr., S (2022-24), Tennessee Titans
Eagles 24, Titans 20
- Second season with Tennessee (Second in the NFL)
- Started and played all 76 snaps on defense.
- Collected eight tackles, including five solo.
The 2026 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.