Lions in the League: Which former Penn State football players made NFL rosters?
A handful of former Penn State players found out where they’ll be spending the upcoming NFL season over the weekend.
With the 2020 NFL season set to kick off Thursday, teams had to cut their rosters down to 53 players by Sunday. Here are the former Nittany Lions who were roster wildcards — or rookies, in general — that made and didn’t make the cut:
Made the roster
Cam Brown, Linebacker — New York Giants
A sixth-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, Cam Brown made the Giants’ initial 53-man roster. He joins former Nittany Lions defensive tackle Austin Johnson and star running back Saquon Barkley in the Big Apple.
Jason Cabinda, Fullback — Detroit Lions
After appearing in four games for the Detroit Lions last season, Jason Cabinda transitioned from linebacker to fullback this offseason. The once-undrafted free agent joins former Nittany Lions tight end Jesse James and cornerback Amani Oruwariye on Detroit’s initial 53-man roster.
Dan Chisena, Wide receiver — Minnesota Vikings
The former Penn State track runner, who only played football for the Nittany Lions in 2018 and 2019, became the only undrafted rookie to make the Minnesota Vikings initial 53-man roster. Dan Chisena’s speed should help him become a contributor on special teams in Minnesota.
Blake Gillikin, Punter — New Orleans Saints
After going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, Blake Gillikin found a spot on the New Orleans Saints’ 53-man roster. He will punt behind veteran Thomas Morstead in his first NFL season.
Kevin Givens, Defensive tackle — San Francisco 49ers
Since going undrafted in 2019, Kevin Givens was signed to the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad last fall before being promoted to the active roster in December. Now, he’s again made the team’s 53-man roster.
Yetur Gross-Matos, Defensive end — Carolina Panthers
The first Nittany Lion off the board at No. 38 overall in the 2020 NFL draft, Yetur Gross-Matos has turned heads in Carolina. He is listed as a starter at the right defensive end position on the Carolina Panthers’ first unofficial depth chart and is joined by former Nittany Lion defensive end Shareef Miller on the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster.
K.J. Hamler, Wide receiver — Denver Broncos
A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, K.J. Hamler was an early lock to make the Denver Broncos’ initial 53-man roster. The former All-Big Ten wide receiver joins former Nittany Lion wide receiver DaeSean Hamilton in the Mile High City.
Austin Johnson, Defensive tackle — New York Giants
The 2016 second-round pick spent four years with the Tennessee Titans before signing with the New York Giants in March, reuniting him with former Penn State defensive line coach Sean Spencer. Austin Johnson is joined by former Nittany Lions linebacker Cam Brown and star running back Saquon Barkley on the Giants’ 53-man roster.
Trace McSorley, Quarterback — Baltimore Ravens
A sixth-round draft pick in 2019, Trace McSorley will begin his second NFL season as the Baltimore Ravens’ third-string quarterback. The former three-time All-Big Ten Nittany Lions quarterback will play behind 2019 NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III.
Shareef Miller, Defensive end — Carolina Panthers
Since being a fourth-round draft pick in 2019, Shareef Miller only appeared in one game last season for the Philadelphia Eagles. He’ll now get a fresh start with the Carolina Panthers, where he joins former Nittany Lion defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos on the team’s initial 53-man roster.
John Reid, Cornerback — Houston Texans
A fourth-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, John Reid has impressed Houston Texans head coach — and former Penn State head coach — Bill O’Brien, who said this offseason that Reid might’ve had the best training camp of any Texans rookie. Now, he’ll look to build on his early success to compete for minutes in a crowded cornerback rotation.
Didn’t make the roster
Saeed Blacknall, Wide receiver — Pittsburgh Steelers
Nick Bowers, Tight end — Las Vegas Raiders
Steven Gonzalez, Guard — Arizona Cardinals
Grant Haley, Cornerback — New York Giants
Jan Johnson, Linebacker — Houston Texans
Juwan Johnson, Wide receiver — New Orleans Saints
Brandon Polk, Wide receiver — Los Angeles Rams
A.Q. Shipley, Center — Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tommy Stevens, Quarterback — New Orleans Saints
Garrett Taylor, Safety — Buffalo Bills
DeAndre Thompkins, Wide receiver — Pittsburgh Steelers
Ross Travis, Tight end — New York Jets
Trevor Williams, Cornerback — Philadelphia Eagles
Robert Windsor, Defensive tackle — Indianapolis Colts
Anthony Zettel, Defensive end — Minnesota Vikings
