NFL 'Noles: 21 former FSU football stars on Week 1 active rosters; several more on practice squads

When the first NFL Sunday kicks off this weekend, across the 32 NFL franchises there will be 21 Florida State Seminoles featured on active rosters.

FSU’s numbers aren’t as high as in years past, but the pool of alumni looks to still feature a crop of elite players and well over a dozen that will be key starters. Meanwhile. several recent FSU departures, rookies, and those simply on practice squads, look to establish themselves.

FSU already made headlines in the NFL during the 2022 Hall Of Fame enshrinement ceremony, when Seminole Dynasty-era defensive back LeRoy Butler (Green Bay) was immortalized forever in Canton as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Continue below for where each NFL ’Nole ended up after a busy offseason, plus a quick look at the state of the respective careers for each former FSU standout.

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Cornerback Jalen Ramsey is well on his way to building a Hall of Fame resume himself with five Pro Bowls, three all-pro selections and a Super Bowl title last season with the Rams. He did, however, allow a deep ball touchdown in L.A.’s opener against the Bills on Thursday while also registering six tackles.

Entering his sixth NFL season, Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook has three straight 1,000-yard seasons. The 27-year-old already has 4,820 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns on the ground.

Chargers star Derwin James signed the largest deal in NFL history for a safety in August. Last year with L.A., James returned from a season-ending meniscus injury the year prior to post another Pro Bowl season, totaling 118 total tackles, 75 solo stops, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 3 forced fumbles.

Jameis Winston brings his career 20,982 passing yards and 135 touchdowns into his eighth NFL season and third with the New Orleans Saints. Winston re-signed with the Saints to a two-year deal to be their starter under center.

Teammates with Winston on the Saints, cornerback P.J. Williams was defensive MVP of FSU’s national championship win in 2013. Williams has started 78 games with New Orleans in six seasons.

At defensive line, Brian Burns returns to the Carolina Panthers and Josh Sweat is back with the Philadelphia Eagles. Both were Pro Bowlers last year, and Burns has 25.5 sacks in just three NFL seasons.

Expected to be a starter for the 10th straight season, center Rodney Hudson has already played 11 NFL seasons and made three Pro Bowls. Cornerback opposite Williams at FSU, Ronald Darby, is another NFL starter with the Denver Broncos.

A four-year starter right out of the box, Kansas City defensive tackle Derrick Nnadi was drafted in 2018 and remains a fixture on the defensive front for a perennial playoff team and 2019 Super Bowl Champion Chiefs squad.

After a very strong rookie year, corner Asante Samuel Jr. is back as a starter for the Chargers. Defensive end DeMarcus Walker left the Houston Texans and joined the Tennessee Titans this offseason.

While he didn’t receive much run in the NFL’s opener for the Rams, running back Cam Akers had over 700 yards from scrimmage as a rookie in 2020 and is poised to break out for the defending Super Bowl champs.

Two names on the New York Jets that will play a major factor are ninth-year defensive back Lamarcus Joyner and rookie defensive end and first-round draft choice Jermaine Johnson out of FSU.

The ’Noles continue to show out at kicker in the NFL with New York Giant Graham Gano and L.A. Charger Dustin Hopkins. Both are starters again. Gano has 284 career field goals in 12 seasons.

Offensive lineman Cam Erving started at center for FSU in 2013 and has enjoyed a nice career as he’s back with the Panthers. Offensive tackle Bobby Hart made the Buffalo Bills’ roster. Kansas City Chiefs’ Josh Kaindoh made the roster at defensive end.

FSU continues to be well-represented on the West Coast, as a sixth ’Nole secured a spot among the NFL’s two L.A. franchises in rookie outside linebacker Keir Thomas, who played defensive end at FSU.

Practice squad, unsigned, and retired ‘Noles heading into start of 2022 NFL season

Even if the NFL limits franchises to 53 total players on each team’s roster, plenty of NFL ’Noles are listed on practice squads this fall. Some of the top prospects signed by FSU the past decade reside on practice squads, seeking a promotion to the active roster once attrition occurs at their positions.

Defensive lineman Mario Edwards Jr. (16.5 career sacks) was cut by the Chicago Bears but quickly landed on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad features two Seminoles in defensive lineman Marvin Wilson and receiver Auden Tate; Tate had 61 receptions in four seasons with Cincinnati.

Recent FSU draft choices and undrafted signees on practice squads include: linebacker/safety Hamsah Nasirildeen (Jets), running back Jashaun Corbin (Giants), and defensive end Janarius Robinson (Vikings).

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While defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (13 sacks and 18 tackles for a loss as a six-year starter for the Bears) chose to retire this offseason, there’s a few of his former FSU teammates and notable alumni that are in limbo and still looking for a home on a roster this season.

Former NFL All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavier Rhodes is unsigned after a productive nine seasons starting for the Vikings and Colts (13 picks and over 450 total tackles).

Running back Devonta Freeman followed up a 1,000-yard season as the lead tailback for FSU’s 2013 national title team with 4,720 career rushing yards and 50 total touchdowns as a pro. He also has well over 2,000 receiving yards in his eight NFL seasons.

Houston Texans defensive back Terrence Brooks (starter with five NFL teams in eight seasons), Kansas City offensive lineman Roderick Johnson, and Saints offensive lineman Derrick Kelly were all recently cut by their respective franchises, but could easily land elsewhere this season.

In the backfield, fullback Gabe Nabers didn’t make the L.A. Chargers’ roster this season, while the Cincinnati Bengals let go running back Jacques Patrick, who is still grinding away in his fifth year as a key practice squad and reserve option.

Reliable former FSU starter and Bears linebacker Christian Jones is unsigned (463 career tackles), defensive back Trey Marshall is no longer on the Chargers either, and defensive tackle Demarcus Christmas headed to the CFL this offseason.

Talk about this story with other die-hard FSU football fans on the Tribal Council.