16 former Oklahoma State football players will kick off the season on NFL teams after initial 53-man rosters were set on Tuesday. Below is each player listed and information about their current situation with their respective NFL team.
Matt Ammendola, K, New York Jets
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft and never landing on a roster last year, Ammendola will look to make his NFL debut with the Jets this season. The Jets cut or waived multiple kickers during the preseason, making Ammendola the only kicker left on the Jets’ roster with the season right around the corner. Still with a rookie status, Ammendola was perfect in three preseason games, making four field goals and five PATs.
Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
To think, Carson spent his final season at OSU competing to even have a starting job. Now, he’s one of the biggest surprises to ever come from Gundy’s program as one of the most productive running backs in the NFL since becoming the Seahawks’ lead back early in his rookie campaign in 2017. Carson was rewarded this offseason with a two-year contract extension.
Tre Flowers, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Flowers will continue his role at cornerback in the Seahawks’ starting lineup in his fourth year in the NFL. After starting 15 games both of his first two years, Flowers entered last season third on the depth chart before starting in only seven games and battling injuries.
A.J. Green, CB, Cleveland Browns
After bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and active roster last season as a rookie, Green will begin this season on the Browns’ 53-man roster and third on the depth chart.
Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Even with a season-ending injury to starter J.K. Dobbins, Hill is included in what’s still a crowded running back group in Baltimore. Dobbins’ injury moved Hill up to No. 2 on the depth chart behind Gus Edwards and ahead of Ty’Son Williams.
Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Hill still counts as a former OSU football player after spending one year in Stillwater and becoming a Bedlam legend before being kicked off the team for a domestic violence arrest. Thanks to his speed, Hill has emerged as one of the best receivers in the NFL, and it also helps to have one of the best quarterbacks to ever play in Patrick Mahomes throwing Hill the ball.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers
Hubbard will start his NFL career as the No. 2 to maybe the best running back in the NFL, Christian McCaffrey, who missed almost all of last season with an injury. Hubbard was impressive in three preseason games, averaging 5.3 yards a carry, including an 80-yard run in his debut.
Blake Jarwin, TE, Dallas Cowboys
Jarwin’s fourth year will need to be a bounce-back season after playing in only one game in 2020 because of injury. Even after missing basically an entire season, Jarwin is still the Cowboys’ top tight end with quarterback Dak Prescott also returning from a major injury.
Teven Jenkins, OL, Chicago Bears
Jenkins will start his NFL career on the injured reserve with a back issue. The Bears drafted Jenkins in the second round of April’s NFL Draft.
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Miami Dolphins
After being traded to the eventual Super Bowl champions Chiefs in 2019, Ogbah signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the Dolphins in 2020. He emerged as one of the Dolphins’ defensive standouts last season and will look to be a leader on that side of the ball again this year.
Amen Ogbongbemiga, LB, Los Angeles Chargers
After going undrafted in April, Ogbongbemiga made the Chargers’ 53-man roster as a rookie despite getting injured and missing the third preseason game. He will attribute to special teams and also add depth to what’s possibly the Chargers’ shallowest position group.
Mason Rudolph, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Yes, Rudolph is still with the Steelers and still backing up Big Ben, even after having to fight for that No. 2 spot every season since entering the league. He’s been QB2 since his second season. Rudolph beat out Dwayne Haskins for the backup job this season with Josh Dobbs on the IR.
Vincent Taylor, DT, Houston Texans
Taylor signed a 1-year contract with the Texans in March after spending time with the Browns and the Bills in 2020. Taylor is listed as one of the Texans’ starting defensive tackles on thefirst depth chart of the 53-man roster.
James Washington, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Despite multiple reports this offseason of requesting a trade and wanting out of Pittsburgh for more opportunities, Washington will still be overshadowed in a noisy receiver room with the Steelers this season unless something changes. Washington has flashed tremendous potential since entering the league and OSU fans have waited for Washington to break out, but despite the talent, there’s not much opportunity for any receiver to really shine in Pittsburgh. Washington is behind Diontae Johnson on the depth chart, but also has to share targets with JuJu Smith-Schuster and Chase Claypool, plus Eric Ebron at tight end.
Tylan Wallace, WR, Baltimore Ravens
To no surprise from OSU fans, Wallace has already impressed many in Baltimore. With an injury-riddled receiving core, Wallace took advantage of his preseason opportunities, catching five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in three games.as
Rodarius Williams, CB, New York Giants
After being a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Williams proved many doubters wrong and made the Giants’ 53-man roster as a rookie. With that being said, don’t expect to see much of Williams this season, as he’s the fourth man on the depth for the Giants’ right corner spot.