UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Week eight of the National Football League season saw 51 Penn State football alums populate the rosters of 24 National Football League organizations.
Former Penn State tight ends continue to have strong seasons. Cincinnati tight end Mike Gesicki made four grabs for 76 yards, including a 28-yard catch and a 25-yard touchdown, in the Bengals’ 43-36 win over Tennessee. Pittsburgh tight end Pat Freiermuth caught two passes for 35 yards in the Steeler’s 27-6 win over Cleveland. Freiermuth added a 28-yard catch and a 1-yard touchdown rush. Jacksonville tight end Brenton Strange recorded two catches for 55 yards and a long reception of 46 yards in the Jaguars’ 42-7 win over Indianapolis.
Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley scored on a 3-yard rush and added a 24-yard catch in the Eagles’ 27-10 setback against Washington. Atlanta receiver Jahan Dotson had a career-long 76-yard catch in the Falcons’ 16-0 loss against Tampa Bay.
Miami edge Chop Robinson posted three tackles, including two sacks, and two quarterback hits in the Dolphins’ 24-19 setback against New England. Green Bay edge Dani Dennis-Sutton collected two tackles for loss and a solo sack in the Packers’ 27-19 win over Carolina. Washington linebacker Odafe Oweh registered a sack in the Commanders’ win over Philadelphia. Carolina safety Zakee Wheatley made his first career interception, with a 17-yard return, and secured seven tackles and a pass breakup. Wheatley’s fellow safety, Nick Scott, notched five tackles and a forced fumble. Tennessee safety Kevin Winston Jr. made eight tackles and recovered a fumble.
Arizona punter Blake Gillikin averaged 43.3 yards on four punts and landed three punts inside the 20 in the Cardinals’ 33-30 overtime win over Dallas.
Here’s how all 51 former Nittany Lions fared in Week 8:
Drew Allar, QB (2022-25) - Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 27, Browns 6
- First season with Pittsburgh (First in the NFL)
- Did not see any action in Pittsburgh’s win against Cleveland.
Kaytron Allen, RB (2022-25), Miami Dolphins
Patriots 24, Dolphins 19
- First season with Miami (First in the NFL)
- Claimed off waivers by Miami on October 9.
- Played 16 snaps on special teams.
- Recorded two tackles on punt coverage.
Saquon Barkley, RB (2015-17), Philadelphia Eagles
Commanders 27, Eagles 10
- Third season with Philadelphia (Ninth in the NFL)
- Started and played 22 snaps on offense.
- Rushed for 30 yards on 13 carries.
- Scored on a 3-yard rush in the first quarter.
- Added a 24-yard catch.
Jaquan Brisker, S (2019-21), Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 27, Browns 6
- First season with Pittsburgh (Fifth in the NFL)
- Started and played all 70 snaps on defense.
- Notched seven tackles, including four solo stops.
Ji’Ayir Brown, S (2020-22), San Francisco 49ers
Bye Week
- Fourth season with San Francisco (Fourth in the NFL)
- Has started all seven games this season.
- Owns 44 tackles (23 solo), one tackle for loss and two pass breakups.
Abdul Carter, LB (2022-24), New York Giants
Bye Week
- Second season with the New York Giants (Second in the NFL)
- Started all seven games this season.
- Has tallied 18 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble and seven quarterback hits.
Sean Clifford, QB (2017-22) - Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 43, Titans 36
- Second season with Cincinnati (Fourth in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Nick Dawkins, OL (2020-25), New York Jets
Raiders 38, Jets 33
- First season with New York (First in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE (2022-25), Green Bay Packers
Packers 27, Panthers 19
- First season with Green Bay (First in the NFL)
- Played 32 snaps on defense and 10 snaps on special teams.
- Recorded three tackles, including two solo.
- Collected two tackles for loss and a solo sack.
- Added a pass breakup and a quarterback hit.
Khalil Dinkins, TE (2021-25), San Francisco 49ers
Bye Week
- First season with San Francisco (First in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Jahan Dotson, WR (2018-21), Atlanta Falcons
Buccaneers 16, Falcons 0
- First season with Atlanta (Fifth in the NFL)
- Started and played 38 snaps on offense and one snap on special teams.
- Caught two passes for 95 yards, including a career-long 76-yard catch.
Zane Durant, DT (2022-25), Buffalo Bills
Bills 36, Ravens 10
- First season with Buffalo (First in the NFL)
- Currently on injured reserve.
Arnold Ebiketie, LB (2021), Philadelphia Eagles
Commanders 27, Eagles 10
- First season with Philadelphia (Fifth in the NFL)
- Played 24 snaps on defense and six snaps on special teams.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL (2020-23), New York Jets
Raiders 38, Jets 33
- Third season with the New York Jets (Third in the NFL)
- Started at left tackle for the eighth-straight game.
- Played all 64 snaps on offense and seven snaps on special teams.
Pat Freiermuth, TE (2018-20), Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers 27, Browns 6
- Sixth season with Pittsburgh (Sixth in the NFL)
- Started and played 31 snaps on offense and three snaps on special teams.
- Caught two passes for 35 yards with a long reception of 28 yards.
- Scored on a 1-yard rush in the second quarter.
Will Fries, OL (2017-20), Minnesota Vikings
Lions 19, Vikings 15
- Second season with Minnesota (Sixth in the NFL)
- Has started all seven games this season.
- Played all 53 snaps on offense and two snaps on special teams.
Mike Gesicki, TE (2014-17), Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 43, Titans 36
- Third season with Cincinnati (Eighth in the NFL)
- Started and played 50 snaps on offense.
- Caught four passes for 76 yards and a long reception of 28 yards.
- Scored on a 25-yard grab in the fourth quarter.
Blake Gillikin, P (2016-19), Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals 33, Cowboys 30 (OT)
- Fourth season with Arizona (Seventh in the NFL)
- Played 10 special teams snaps.
- Punted four times for 173 yards, averaging 43.3 yards per punt, and had a long punt of 48 yards.
- Landed three punts inside the 20.
Kevin Givens, DT (2016-18), Indianapolis Colts
Jaguars 42, Colts 7
- First season with Indianapolis (seventh in the NFL)
- Claimed off San Francisco’s practice squad on October 31.
- Did not play against Jacksonville.
Chris Godwin, WR (2014-16), Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Buccaneers 16, Falcons 0
- 10th season with Tampa Bay (10th in the NFL)
- Started and played 49 snaps on offense.
- Was targeted once.
Olaivavega Ioane, OL (2022-25), Baltimore Ravens
Bills 36, Ravens 10
- First season with Baltimore (First in the NFL)
- Has started seven games this season.
- Did not play due to injury.
Adisa Isaac, DE (2019-23), Baltimore Ravens
Bills 36, Ravens 10
- Third season with Baltimore (Third in the NFL)
- Played 18 snaps on special teams.
- Recorded two tackles, including one solo.
Austin Johnson, DT (2013-15), Buffalo Bills
Bills 36, Ravens 10
- Second season with Buffalo (10th in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
DaQuan Jones, DT (2010-13), New England Patriots
Patriots 24, Dolphins 19
- First season with New England (13th in the NFL)
- Played 21 snaps on defense and four on special teams.
- Recorded one tackle and a pass breakup.
Theo Johnson, TE (2020-23), New York Giants
Bye Week
- Third season with the New York Giants (Third in the NFL)
- Has played in five games (one start) this season.
- Owns four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.
- Three of four receptions have gained first downs.
Kalen King, CB (2021-23), Arizona Cardinals
Cardinals 33, Cowboys 30 (OT)
- First season with Arizona (Third in the NFL)
- Played 31 snaps on defense and six snaps on special teams.
- Recorded three tackles, including one solo stop.
Connor McGovern, OL (2016-18), Buffalo Bills
Bills 36, Ravens 10
- Fourth season with Buffalo (Eighth in the NFL)
- Has started all seven games this season.
- Started and played 95 snaps on offense.
PJ Mustipher, DT (2918-22), New York Giants
Bye Week
- First season with New York (Third in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Hunter Nourzad, OL (2022-23), Kansas City Chiefs
Broncos 28, Chiefs 24
- Third season with Kansas City (Third in the NFL)
- Played one snap on offense and five snaps on special teams.
Amani Oruwariye, CB (2015-18), Baltimore Ravens
Bills 36, Ravens 10
- Second season with Baltimore (Seventh in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Odafe Oweh, LB (2019-20), Washington Commanders
Commanders 27, Eagles 10
- First season with Washington (Sixth in the NFL)
- Started and played 45 snaps on defense.
- Recorded two tackles, including one sack.
- Added a quarterback hit.
Micah Parsons, EDGE (2018-19), Green Bay Packers
Packers 27, Panthers 19
- Second season with Green Bay (Sixth in the NFL)
- Currently on physically unable to perform list.
Trebor Peña, WR (2025), Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 42, Colts 7
- First season with Jacksonville (First in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Joey Porter Jr., CB (2019-22), Dallas Cowboys
Cardinals 33, Cowboys 30 (OT)
- First season with Dallas (Fourth in the NFL)
- Traded from Pittsburgh to Dallas on October 1.
- Started and played 36 snaps on defense.
- Collected one solo tackle.
Jaylen Reed, S (2021-24), New England Patriots
Patriots 24, Dolphins 19
- First season with New England (Second in the NFL)
- Played 13 snaps on defense and 17 snaps on special teams.
- Assisted on a tackle for loss and added a quarterback hit.
Chop Robinson, EDGE (2022-23), Miami Dolphins
Patriots 24, Dolphins 19
- Third season with Miami (Third in the NFL)
- Played 33 snaps on defense.
- Secured three tackles, including two sacks.
- Added two quarterback hits.
Nolan Rucci, OL (2024-25), Indianapolis Colts
Jaguars 42, Colts 7
- First season with Indianapolis (First in the NFL)
- Currently on practice squad.
Nick Scott, S (2015-18), Carolina Panthers
Packers 27, Panthers 19
- Third season with Carolina (Eighth in the NFL).
- Started and played all 69 snaps on defense.
- Notched five tackles, including three solo.
- Forced a fumble and broke up a pass.
Juice Scruggs, OL (2018-22), Detroit Lions
Lions 19, Vikings 15
- First season with Detroit (Fourth in the NFL)
- Played 50 snaps on offense and four snaps on special teams.
Drew Shelton, OL (2022-25), Dallas Cowboys
Cardinals 33, Cowboys 30 (OT)
- First season with Dallas (First in the NFL)
- Did not play due to injury.
Nicholas Singleton, RB (2022-25), Tennessee Titans
Bengals 43, Titans 36
- First season with Tennessee (First in the NFL)
- Played nine snaps on special teams.
Chris Stoll, LS (2017-22), Seattle Seahawks
Bears 34, Seahawks 17
- Fourth season with Seattle (Fourth in the NFL)
- Played eight snaps on special teams.
Jordan Stout, P (2019-21), New York Giants
Bye Week
- First season with New York (Fifth in the NFL)
- Leads the NFL averaging 51.6 yards per punt this season.
- Has totaled 1,394 yards on 27 punts with a long punt of 78 yards.
- Has landed 12 punts inside the 20.
Brenton Strange, TE (2019-22), Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 42, Colts 7
- Fourth season with Jacksonville (Fourth in the NFL)
- Started and played 52 snaps on offense.
- Made two grabs for 55 yards, including a long reception of 46 yards.
Mitchell Tinsley, WR (2022), Cincinnati Bengals
Bengals 43, Titans 36
- First season with Cincinnati (Fourth in the NFL)
- Did not play against Tennessee.
Rasheed Walker, OL (2019-21), Carolina Panthers
Packers 27, Panthers 19
- First season with Carolina (Sixth in the NFL)
- Started and played all 73 snaps on offense and three snaps on special teams.
Caedan Wallace, OL (2019-23), Miami Dolphins
Patriots 24, Dolphins 19
- First season with Miami (First in the NFL)
- Played four snaps on special teams.
Tyler Warren, TE (2020-24), Indianapolis Colts
Jaguars 42, Colts 7
- Second season with Indianapolis (Second in the NFL)
- Started and played 44 snaps on offense.
- Caught four passes for 18 yards with a long reception of 10 yards.
Parker Washington, WR (2020-22), Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars 42, Colts 7
- Fourth season with Jacksonville (Fourth in the NFL)
- Started and played 36 snaps on offense and two snaps on special teams.
- Caught one pass for 16 yards and had a rush for 10 yards.
Zakee Wheatley, S (2021-25), Carolina Panthers
Packers 27, Panthers 19
- First season with Carolina (First in the NFL).
- Started and played 47 snaps on defense and three snaps on special teams.
- Secured seven tackles, including four solo.
- Picked off a pass and returned it 17 yards.
- Added a pass breakup.
Kevin Winston Jr., S (2022-24), Tennessee Titans
Bengals 43, Titans 36
- Second season with Tennessee (Second in the NFL)
- Started and played 68 snaps on defense.
- Posted eight tackles, including three solo.
- Recovered a fumble.
The 2026 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.