How did former Penn State players do in the NFL during Week 1?

Saquon Barkley was all smiles as he sat at a podium in the bowels of Corinthians Arena in Brazil following the Philadelphia Eagles’ season-opening win over the Green Bay Packers. And, why wouldn’t he be? All the Coplay, Pa., native and Penn State alum did was make history in his first game with the NFC East franchise after spending the first six professional seasons with the rival New York Giants. His debut was spectacular.

Barkley opened up the Eagles’ scoring with an 18-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, which made him the first NFL player to ever reach the end zone in South America as the league was playing its first contest there. Later in the game, he added touchdown runs of 11 and 2 yards, the latter of which was the de facto game-winner, to power his new team to a 34-29 win. In the process, Barkley became the second Philadelphia player to record three touchdowns in his first game with the team, joining six-time All-Pro and NFL 2000s Decade Team member and receiver Terrell Owens in the process.

“We are so excited to have him,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said after the game, per NFL.com. “He made some huge, huge plays throughout this entire game. Made it in the pass game. Made plays in the run game. He made some huge plays in critical moments and scored a bunch of touchdowns.”

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Barkley will be an enormous part of the Eagles’ offense if the first game is any indication. He carried 24 times for 109 yards. Only one other Eagles running back, Kenneth Gainwell, received a carry, and it was just one. A factor in the passing game, as well, the former Nittany Lion added two receptions for 23 yards, including the scoring strike. Ever the consummate teammate, he was quick to point out his teammates when asked about his big role in the victory.

“The O-line played great,” Barkley said. “That’s a big reason why I wanted to come to Philly when I had the opportunity and why it was a no-brainer for me. We still have a lot to improve on, including myself. So, it meant a lot to come out here and take advantage of the opportunity to be the first team to play in South America. Not only just play but to take care of business and get the W too.”

If Barkley’s injury issues are a thing of the past, he will have every reason to return to All-Pro status in 2024. The Eagles want to maximize his skills, and when healthy, few can help a team as a runner, blocker, and passer better than he can. That was clear as day in Week 1.
“I know he’s a great player and he had a hell of a game tonight,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said, per NFL.com. “It’s exciting to watch him play. I’m happy that he’s on our side. But we got to keep pressing forward — what a debut for him.”

Full Penn State in the NFL Week 1 recap

Ryan Bates (Played at Penn State from 2016-18), OL, Chicago Bears: A newcomer to Chicago after spending the past five seasons in Buffalo, Bates is backing up Teven Jenkins at left guard.

Jaquan Brisker (2019-21), S, Chicago Bears: Brisker ranked second on the team with 10 tackles including 5 solo stops in the Bears’ season-opening 24-17 victory over visiting Tennessee.

Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, Miami Dolphins: Brown is on Miami’s practice squad.

Ji’Ayir Brown (2020-22), S, San Francisco 49ers: Brown played all 51 snaps in the 49ers’ Monday Night Football win over the New York Jets. He recorded three tackles. 

Tariq Castro-Fields (2017-21), CB, Carolina Panthers: Castro-Fields was picked up by Carolina after being waived by Washington but did not see action in the Panthers’ 47-10 loss to New Orleans.

Dan Chisena (2015-19), WR, Arizona Cardinals: Chisena is on Arizona’s practice squad.

Sean Clifford (2017-22), QB, Green Bay Packers: Clifford began the season on Green Bay’s practice squad but may be tapped for a much bigger role after starter Jordan Love suffered a knee injury against Philadelphia in Week 1.

Jahan Dotson (2018-21), WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Traded to Philadelphia by Washington in August, Dotson was targeted once and did not have a catch in the Eagles’ season-opening victory over Green Bay.

Arnold Ebiketie (2021), LB, Atlanta Falcons: Ebiketie had 5 tackles, including 4 solo stops, in the Falcons’ loss to Pittsburgh.

Olumuyiwa Fashanu (2020-23), OL, New York Jets: Fashanu was active for the Jets Week 1 win but did not play on offense. He did take one special teams snap, on a field goal, per Pro Football Focus. 

Pat Freiermuth (2018-20), TE, Pittsburgh Steelers: Two days after signing a four-year, $48.4 million contract with the Steelers, Freiermuth caught 4 passes for 27 yards in a season-opening win at Atlanta.

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Will Fries (2017-20), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Fries played 45 snaps, all at guard, in the Colts’ Week 1 loss to Houston. His PFF grade of 93.0 was the highest on the team and one of the best across the league. 

Mike Gesicki (2014-17), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Making his debut in Cincinnati, Gesicki had 3 catches for 18 yards in a 16-10 loss to New England, his former team.

Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, Arizona Cardinals: Gillikin averaged 39.0 yards on 2 punts in Arizona’s 34-28 loss to Buffalo in Week 1.

Kevin Givens (2016-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers: Givens did not record any counting stats in Week 1. But, he was on the field for 18 snaps in the team’s Week 1 victory over the Jets. 

Chris Godwin (2014-16), WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Godwin began his eighth NFL season by leading the Buccaneers in receiving with 8 catches on 8 targets for 83 yards and a touchdown in their 37-20 victory over Washington.

Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19), DE, San Francisco 49ers: Gross-Matos was inactive in Week 1. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he is still recovering from a knee sprain suffered in preseason camp. 

KJ Hamler (2017-2019), WR, Buffalo Bills: Hamler is on Buffalo’s practice squad.

Daequan Hardy (2019-23), CB, Buffalo Bills: Hardy is on Buffalo’s practice squad.

Adisa Isaac (2019-23), LB, Baltimore Ravens: Isaac was inactive for his first game as a pro due to a hamstring injury. 

Curtis Jacobs (2020-23), LB, New England Patriots: Claimed off waivers from Kansas City, Jacobs was inactive on opening day versus the Bengals.

Austin Johnson (2013-15), DT, Buffalo Bills: Johnson had 1 solo tackle in the Bills’ season-opening 34-28 win over Arizona.

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Theo Johnson (2020-23), TE, New York Giants: Johnson had 1 catch for 18 yards on 4 targets in his first NFL game, a 28-6 loss to Minnesota. 

DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DL, Buffalo Bills: Jones had 1 tackle and 1 quarterback pressure in the Bills’ win over Arizona. 

Kalen King (2021-23), CB, Green Bay Packers: King is on Green Bay’s practice squad.

Jesse Luketa (2018-21), LB, Arizona Cardinals: Luketa enters his third season in Arizona. He was inactive for the team’s Week 1 loss to the Buffalo Bills. 

Connor McGovern (2016-18), OL, Buffalo Bills: McGovern started at center in the Bills’ victory over Arizona, earning a 60.4 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.

PJ Mustipher (2018-22), DL, Arizona Cardinals: Mustipher is on Arizona’s practice squad.

Hunter Nourzad (2022-23), OL, Kansas City Chiefs: Nourzad did not have any snaps on offense in his team’s season-opening win over Baltimore. But he did make his NFL debut after logging 5 snaps on the Chiefs’ field goal kicking unit. 

Amani Oruwariye (2015-18), CB, Dallas Cowboys: Oruwariye is on the Cowboys’ practice squad.

Odafe Oweh (2019-20), LB, Baltimore Ravens: Oweh recorded 4 tackles and 1 quarterback hurry in the Ravens’ Week 1 loss to the Chiefs. He logged 46 defensive snaps, which was fifth-most on the Baltimore defense and the most for an edge rusher. 

Micah Parsons (2018-19), LB, Dallas Cowboys: Parsons had 4 tackles, including a sack and a tackle for loss, in the Cowboys’ 33-17 rout of Cleveland in Week 1.

Joey Porter Jr. (2019-22), CB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Porter had 3 tackles, including 2 solo stops, in the Steelers’ victory over Atlanta.

Chop Robinson (2022-23), LB, Miami Dolphins: Robinson saw action on 16 stats in his NFL debut against Jacksonville and did not record any statistics.

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Allen Robinson II (2011-13), WR, Detroit Lions: Robinson is on Detroit’s practice squad.

Miles Sanders (2016-18), RB, Carolina Panthers: Sanders was Carolina’s leading rusher with 22 yards on 5 carries in its Week 1 loss to New Orleans.

Nick Scott (2015-18), S, Carolina Panthers: Scott was credited with 1 pass defended in Carolina’s loss to New Orleans.

Juice Scruggs (2018-22), OL, Houston Texans: Scruggs played all 79 snaps in the Texans’ 29-27 Week 1 win over Indianapolis. He was a top three blocker for the AFC South team, per Pro Football Focus. 

Brandon Smith (2019-21), LB, Philadelphia Eagles: Smith is on Philadelphia’s practice squad.

Chris Stoll (2017-22), LS, Seattle Seahawks: Stoll is still the Seahawks’ starting long snapper. He was called upon nine times in Week 1 and helped Seattle’s punt and field goal teams operate perfectly every time. 

Jordan Stout (2019-21), P, Baltimore Ravens: Stout boomed 2 punts against the Chiefs, both of which pinned Kansas City inside its own 10-yard-line. He is also the Ravens’ holder on placement kicks. 

Brenton Strange (2019-22), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Strange totaled 19 snaps but did not have a reception in the Jaguars’ season-opening loss to Miami.

Mitchell Tinsley (2022), WR, Washington Commanders: Tinsley is on Washington’s practice squad.

Rasheed Walker (2019-21), OL, Green Bay Packers: Walker started at left tackle in Green Bay’s opener against Philadelphia. He received a 60.9 blocking grade from Pro Football Focus.

Caedan Wallace (2019-23), OL, New England Patriots: Wallace saw 18 snaps at right tackle in his NFL debut against Cincinnati. His 84.3 offensive grade from PFF was the team’s highest.

Parker Washington (2020-22), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Washington had 2 punt returns for 44 yards, including a 24-yarder, and also caught a pass for 3 yards in the Jaguars’ loss to Miami.