K-State Alumni Thrive in the NFL: Season Recap for 17 Wildcats

Strategic Insights -

Kansas State football players continued to impress in the 2021 NFL season, with 17 Wildcats making significant contributions to their respective teams. Here's a recap of their performances throughout the season, highlighting key takeaways and statistics.

Key Takeaways:

  • Deante Burton, DB - Dallas Cowboys: In his fourth NFL season, Burton is on the Cowboys' practice squad and played in their 2-1 home victory over Philadelphia.
  • B.J. Finney, OL - Pittsburgh Steelers: Finney played in one special teams play in the Steelers' 24-10 home loss to Cincinnati, a 1-2 team that travels to face Green Bay on Sunday.
  • Wyatt Hubert, DE - Cincinnati Bengals: A seventh-round draft pick, Hubert is on injured reserve after being hurt in the offseason, but the Bengals picked up a 24-10 road victory at Pittsburgh to improve to 2-1.
  • Elijah Lee, LB - Cleveland Browns: Lee made one tackle among his 15 defensive snaps and 21 special teams plays in the Browns' 26-6 home victory over Chicago, a 2-1 team that travels to face Minnesota on Sunday.
  • Tyler Lockett, WR - Seattle Seahawks: Lockett started for the 74th time in his career and hauled in four passes for 31 yards in the Seahawks' 30-17 loss at Minnesota, a 1-2 team that travels to face San Francisco on Sunday.
  • Cornelius Lucas, OL - Washington Football Team: In his second year with Washington, Lucas played in three special teams plays in the Football Team's 43-21 loss at Buffalo, a 1-2 team that travels to face Atlanta on Sunday.
  • Briley Moore, TE - Tennessee Titans: A rookie free agent signee, Moore was placed on injured reserve after being hurt during training camp, but Tennessee improved to 2-1 with a 25-16 win over Indianapolis.
  • AJ Parker, DB - Detroit Lions: A rookie free agent, Parker made three tackles among his 30 defensive snaps in the Lions' 19-17 last-second home loss to Baltimore, a 0-3 team that travels to face Chicago on Sunday.
  • Byron Pringle, WR - Kansas City Chiefs: Pringle made two receptions for 12 yards and returned one kickoff 30 yards in the Chiefs' 30-24 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, a 1-2 team that travels to face Philadelphia on Sunday.
  • D.J. Reed Jr., DB - Seattle Seahawks: A 13th-career start, Reed came away with three tackles as he was in for all 75 defensive snaps in the Seahawks' 30-17 loss at Minnesota, a 1-2 team that travels to face San Francisco on Sunday.
  • Dalton Risner, OL - Denver Broncos: In his third NFL season, Risner started and played on 42 offensive snaps in the Broncos' 26-0 shutout win over the New York Jets, an undefeated 3-0 team that hosts Baltimore on Sunday.
  • Dalton Schoen, WR - Washington Football Team: Signed to Washington's practice squad on September 17, Schoen played in their 43-21 loss at Buffalo, a 1-2 team that travels to face Atlanta on Sunday.
  • Duke Shelley, DB - Chicago Bears: Shelley registered six tackles among his 49 defensive snaps, while also playing on four special teams plays, in the Bears' 26-6 loss at Cleveland, a 1-2 team that hosts Detroit on Sunday.
  • Elijah Sullivan, LB - Kansas City Chiefs: A rookie free agent, Sullivan was signed to the Chiefs' practice squad on September 11, and Kansas City fell at home to the Los Angeles Chargers, 30-24, to drop to 1-2.
  • Kiondre Thomas, DB - Los Angeles Chargers: A rookie free agent, Thomas was signed to the Chargers' practice squad on September 6, and the Chargers earned a 30-24 win at Kansas City to improve to 2-1.
  • Cody Whitehair, OL - Chicago Bears: Whitehair made his 81st-career start and was in for all 45 offensive snaps in the Bears' 26-6 loss at Cleveland, a 1-2 team that hosts Detroit on Sunday.
  • Jordan Willis, DE - San Francisco 49ers: A defensive end who joined the 49ers midway through the 2020 season, Willis is suspended for the first six games of 2021, and the 49ers suffered their first defeat of 2021 on a 30-28 last-second home loss to Green Bay on Sunday night.

Statistics:

  • 17 former Kansas State football players are currently in the NFL, with 14 of them having started in at least one game this season.
  • The Bengals, Browns, and Seahawks are the only teams with 2-1 records in the NFL this season.
  • The Cowboys, Bengals, and Seahawks have improved their records with their past week's performances.
  • The Broncos are the only undefeated team in the NFL this season, with a 3-0 record.
  • Six players have been placed on injured reserve this season, including Tyler Lockett and Briley Moore.

Sources:

  • k-statesports.com
  • NFL.com
  • ESPN.com