From K-State Athletic Communications:
Kansas State had 13 former players on active rosters and one on injured reserve as NFL teams were mandated to trim their rosters to 53 players for the upcoming season over the weekend. Of the 14 players, eight are on offense and six are on defense.
The longest-tenured former Wildcats include cornerback Terence Newman, running back Darren Sproles and offensive lineman Jeromey Clary. Newman, who is in his 11th season, is in his second campaign with the Cincinnati Bengals after spending his first nine years with the Dallas Cowboys. Sproles enters his ninth NFL season, including his third with the New Orleans Saints. Sproles spent his first six seasons in San Diego, the organization that selected Clary in the sixth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. Since then, Clary has played in 88 games and totaled 78 starts.
Three players off last year’s Big 12 Championship squad made NFL rosters in second-round pick Arthur Brown, fourth-round pick Chris Harper and undrafted rookie free agent Justin Tuggle. Brown’s selection by the defending Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens extended K-State’s streak of having at least one player taken in the NFL Draft to 20 years, a streak that is the second-longest among Big 12 schools. Harper was drafted by Seattle and then signed to its practice squad following the final cut down, but San Francisco signed Harper to its active roster, inking the Wichita, Kan., product to a three-year deal.
Tuggle, a former community-college quarterback turned linebacker at K-State, made the Houston Texans’ 53-man roster, marking the second-straight year a Wildcat made an active roster as an undrafted player (Tysyn Hartman, Kansas City).
More K-State players could make NFL rosters as teams fill out their practice squad.
The 2013 NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 5, while a full slate a games are scheduled for Sunday, September 8.
Wildcats in the NFL – As of Sept. 3, 2013
Name Organization Pos. NFL Exp.
Arthur Brown Baltimore LB R
Bryce Brown Philadelphia RB 2
Jeromey Clary San Diego OL 7
Josh Freeman Tampa Bay QB 5
Chris Harper San Francisco WR R
Rob Jackson Washington LB 5
Emmanuel Lamur^ Cincinnati LB 2
Jeron Mastrud Oakland TE 4
Jordy Nelson Green Bay WR 6
Terence Newman Cincinnati CB 11
Darren Sproles New Orleans RB 9
Daniel Thomas Miami RB 3
Justin Tuggle Houston LB R
Reggie Walker San Diego LB 5
^ Denotes injured reserve
