K-State Alumni Thrive in the NFL: Weekly Update from k-statesports.com

Strategic Insights -

As the 2025 season unfolds, 19 former Kansas State football players are currently contributing to their respective NFL teams. Each week, k-statesports.com will recap the action for these Wildcats in the big leagues. This week's update showcases the impressive performances of Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Cooper Beebe, JuJu Brents, and many others.

Key Takeaways:

  • Felix Anudike-Uzomah, a defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs, was placed on season-ending injured reserve before the regular season began, forcing the Chiefs to drop to 0-2 with a 20-17 loss to Philadelphia.
  • Cooper Beebe, an offensive lineman for the Dallas Cowboys, made his 18th-career start and played 73 snaps before leaving the game due to injury in the Cowboys' 40-37 overtime win over the New York Giants.
  • JuJu Brents, a cornerback for the Miami Dolphins, saw his first action for the Dolphins in their 33-27 home loss to New England, contributing to seven special teams plays.
  • DJ Giddens, a running back for the Indianapolis Colts, played five offensive snaps and was targeted on one pass play in the Colts' 29-28 last-second win over Denver.
  • Josh Hayes, a defensive back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, made 22 special teams plays and secured a tackle on kickoff coverage in the Buccaneers' 20-19 win at Houston.
  • Timmy Horne, a defensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, is on the Titans' practice squad, having spent his fourth NFL season with the team.
  • Easton Kilty, an offensive lineman for the New Orleans Saints, is on the Saints' practice squad, having spent his rookie season with the Saints.
  • KT Leveston, an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, made his first NFL game appearance, playing 10 snaps, in the Browns' 41-17 loss at Baltimore.
  • Tyler Lockett, a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, made two catches for nine yards in the Titans' 33-19 loss at the Los Angeles Rams.
  • Cornelius Lucas, an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, made his 55th-career start and played all 73 snaps in the Browns' 41-17 loss at Baltimore.
  • Adrian Martinez, a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad in the 49ers' 26-21 win at New Orleans.
  • Jacob Parrish, a cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, contributed a tackle and a pass breakup among his 30 defensive snaps in the Buccaneers' 20-19 win at Houston.
  • D.J. Reed, a defensive back for the Detroit Lions, made his 72nd-career start and totaled five tackles among his 60 defensive snaps in the Lions' 52-21 home win over Chicago.
  • Dalton Risner, an offensive lineman for the Cincinnati Bengals, made his 82nd-career start and played all 69 snaps in the Bengals' 31-27 win over Jacksonville.
  • Marques Sigle, a safety for the San Francisco 49ers, had five tackles while playing all 71 defensive snaps and nine special teams plays in the 49ers' 26-21 win at New Orleans.
  • Ben Sinnott, a tight end for the Washington Commanders, made one reception for seven yards among his three offensive snaps in addition to seeing time on 10 special teams plays in the Commanders' 27-18 loss at Green Bay.
  • Skylar Thompson, a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, signed with Pittsburgh during the offseason but was placed on injured reserve last week, forcing the Steelers to fall to 1-1 on the season.
  • Deuce Vaughn, a running back for the Denver Broncos, was signed to the Broncos' practice squad last week, contributing to the Broncos' 1-1 record.
  • Russ Yeast, a safety for the Cincinnati Bengals, signed with the Bengals' practice squad in late August and contributed to the Bengals' 31-27 win over Jacksonville.

Statistics:

  • 19 former Kansas State football players are currently in the NFL.
  • Felix Anudike-Uzomah is in his third NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs.
  • Cooper Beebe has made 18 starts in the NFL.
  • JuJu Brents made his first appearance for the Dolphins in Week 1.
  • DJ Giddens played five snaps in the Colts' 29-28 win over Denver.
  • Josh Hayes made 22 special teams plays in the Buccaneers' 20-19 win at Houston.
  • Timmy Horne has spent four NFL seasons with the Tennessee Titans.
  • Easton Kilty is on the Saints' practice squad.
  • KT Leveston made his first NFL game appearance in Week 1.
  • Tyler Lockett made two catches for nine yards in the Titans' 33-19 loss at the Los Angeles Rams.
  • Cornelius Lucas has made 55 career starts in the NFL.
  • Adrian Martinez was elevated to the active roster from the practice squad in Week 1.
  • Jacob Parrish contributed a tackle and a pass breakup in the Buccaneers' 20-19 win at Houston.
  • D.J. Reed has made 72 career starts in the NFL.
  • Dalton Risner has made 82 career starts in the NFL.
  • Marques Sigle had five tackles in the 49ers' 26-21 win at New Orleans.
  • Ben Sinnott made one reception for seven yards in the Commanders' 27-18 loss at Green Bay.
  • Skylar Thompson signed with Pittsburgh during the offseason.
  • Deuce Vaughn was signed to the Broncos' practice squad last week.
  • Russ Yeast signed with the Bengals' practice squad in late August.

Sources:

  • k-statesports.com (original release)
  • Kansas State University Athletics (official source)
  • NFL.com (players' profiles and statistics)
  • Pro-Football-Reference.com (players' statistics and career information)