Husker Football: NFL Nebraska Cornhuskers

The NFL season starts on Thursday and that means another year of tracking ex-Husker football studs in The League. We’ve got you covered as we’ll deliver stats, rumors and game recaps of every Big Red alum.

Nebraska claims 19 former players on active rosters and some enticing free agent options sitting out there just waiting to be picked up.

STARTERS

Ndamukong Suh – Detroit Lions; Starting defensive tackle: Entering his fifth season in the NFL, Suh continues to be one of the most defensive dominant forces in the league. The big man enters a contract year and is likely taking note of J.J. Watt’s $100 million deal.

He’ll be looking for big money, but the Lions have a large amount sunk into their offense, so this might be Suh’s final year in Detroit.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Lavonte David- Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Starting weakside linebacker: David has exploded onto the NFL scene during his first two seasons. His unbelievable 2013 season (145 tackles, 7 sacks, 5 inerceptions, 10 pass deflections) was good enough to earn All-Pro honors.

Prince Amukamara – New York Giants; Starting right cornerback: Amukamara was a bright spot for the disappointing Giants last season, finishing with 85 tackles, 14 pass deflections and an interception.

He’ll team up with the newly-acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to give the Giants one of the best cornerback duos in the league.

Dominic Raiola – Detroit Lions; Starting center: Now the elder statesman of Huskers in the NFL, Raiola is entering his year No. 14, all with the Lions. The 2001 second-round draft pick was one of the most productive centers in the league last season…again.

Josh Brown – New York Giants; Starting kicker: Once thought to be done in the NFL, Brown hit 23-of-26 field goals (88.5%) in 2013, his longest being 52 yards.

Strong-legged Brandon McManus was brought in to challenge Brown in camp, but the former Husker came out on top.

Sam Koch – Baltimore Ravens; Starting punter: Koch finished last season with career-high numbers in punts and yardage. That might be a better indication of how bad the Ravens were as opposed to how good Koch was.

Regardless, he continues to be a consistent leg in The League, entering his ninth season in Baltimore.

Matt Slauson – Chicago Bears; Starting left guard: Slauson signed a four-year contract this past January after impressing the Bears during a one-year tryout deal in 2013.

Jared Crick- Houston Texans; Starting left defensive end: Crick only started one game in 2013, but will be asked to play more this season. Expect to see him tag team with J.J. Watt.

Don McPeak-US Presswire

BACKUPS

Alfonzo Dennard- New England Patriots; second-string cornerback behind Brandon Browner and Darelle Revis: Dennard will likely start opposite Revis for New England’s first four games while Browner sits out due to suspension.

Roy Helu, Jr. – Washinton Redskins second-string running back behind Alfred Morris: Bounced back from an injury-riddled 2012 season to gain more than 500 total yards in 2013.

Will Compton – Washington Redskins; second-string middle linebacker behind Keenaa Robinson: A practice squad member in 2013, Compton was called up to play one game last season. He impressed the Redskins’ new coaching staff with 19 tackles during preseason games.

Jason Ankrah- Houston Texans; second-string strongside linebacker behind Brooks Reed: Made seven tackles and picked up a sack in the preseason. Ankrah defeated the odds, making the team after being an undrafted free agent.

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

He switched his jersey number, wearing No. 91 to enter the regular season.

Spencer Long – Washington Redskins; second-string right guard behind Chris Chester: Long is considered to be a future long-term starter in the NFL.

Stanley Jean-Baptiste – New Orleans Saints; backup defensive back behind cornerbacks Keenan Lewis and Patrick Robinson and nickleback Corey White: Made 12 tackles in preseason action.

Eric Martin – Cleveland Browns; second-string outside linebacker: Played in 16 games on special teams last season, making eight tackles and recovering a fumble. Made the roster despite being hurt for most of the preseason.

Daimion Stafford – Tennessee Titans; second-string strong safety behind Bernard Pollard: Played in all 16 games on special teams during his rookie season and established a reputation as a sure tackler.

Zach Bowman – New York Giants; listed as No. 5 and final cornerback on Giants’ depth chart: Coming off one of his best seasons in his six-year career. Bowman started seven games in 2013 for the Chicago Bears, recording 48 tackles and 3 interceptions.

Niles Paul – Washington Redskins; third-string tight end and special teams contributor: Paul has 14 career receptions for 228 yards entering his fourth season in the NFL.

Rex Burkhead – Cincinnati Bengals; backup running back: Will likely miss the first month of the season with an injury sustained during preseason action.

PRACTICE SQUAD MEMBERS

Ricky Henry – Kansas City

Marcel Jones – Baltimore Ravens

Jeremiah Sirles – San Diego Chargers

Brent Qvale – New York Jets

Mohammed Seisay – Detriot Lions

FREE AGENTS

Richie Incognito – Cleared to play by NFL

Quincy Enunwa – Released by New York Jets on August 31 after making the 53-man roster to add cornerback depth. Good candidate to be signed to a practice squad. The skinny assassin will likely be picked up during the season

Alex Henery – Released by Philadelphia Eagles. Henery was beat out in camp by rookie Cody Parkey, who showed off a stronger leg in preseason.

RETIRED

Eric Hagg- retired this past July after signing future contract with Denver Broncos in January of 2014.

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Home/Cornhuskers in the NFL

Husker Football: NFL Nebraska Cornhuskers – Week One

By Jake Bockoven | Sep 3, 2014

STARTERS

BACKUPS

PRACTICE SQUAD MEMBERS

FREE AGENTS

RETIRED