Penn State in the NFL: Chop Robinson earns honors; full recap of how each Lion has fared

Chop Robinson’s NFL career started much like his time at Penn State did. After transferring from Maryland into the Nittany Lions’ program, the defensive end was slow to get going at first. But, once he got into a groove, he was tough to stop. The Maryland native finished his first season in blue and white with 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2022, the majority of which came during the final quarter of the 2022 slate. During the first half of his rookie year with the Miami Dolphins, many wondered if the AFC North franchise had mistakenly used a first-round pick on the former 2023 All-Big Ten pick. By the end of the year, though, there was little doubt that the franchise was right to do so.

Robinson was a Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team pick in 2024 and made ESPN’s All-Rookie team. He did not have a sack until November but finished with six, in addition to 26 tackles and four pass breakups. 

Which Penn State players made ESPN’s top 100 list for the 2024 season?

“Robinson has had such a cool, underappreciated season,” ESPN wrote in putting Robinson on its list of first-year stars ahead of NFL Rookie of the Year candidate Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams. “He was the eighth-fastest edge rusher off the ball, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, with an average get off of 0.76 seconds, and leveraged that wicked first step into a 17.2% pressure rate — sixth among all edge rushers with at least 200 pass rushes and first among rookies, including Jared Verse.

“Robinson had a low sack rate given his pressure rate and get off, but that’s to be expected for a young speed racer off the edge. In college football, players just need to win the race to the corner and they’ll get the quarterback down; in the NFL, it’s much tougher. Robinson was never a high sack guy in college, so technical steps are still needed to become a strong finisher in the pocket, but the base of an elite pass rusher is already there.”

Here’s how the rest of the former Penn State players are faring with two games left in the 2024 season.

Penn State in the NFL recap ahead of conference championship weekend

Chop Robinson’s NFL career started much like his time at Penn State did. After transferring from Maryland into the Nittany Lions’ program, the defensive end was slow to get going at first. But, once he got into a groove, he was tough to stop. The Maryland native finished his first season in blue and white with 5.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in 2022, the majority of which came during the final quarter of the 2022 slate. During the first half of his rookie year with the Miami Dolphins, many wondered if the AFC North franchise had mistakenly used a first-round pick on the former 2023 All-Big Ten pick. By the end of the year, though, there was little doubt that the franchise was right to do so. Robinson was a Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team pick in 2024 and made ESPN’s All-Rookie team. He did not have a sack until November but finished with six, in addition to 26 tackles and four pass breakups. 

“Robinson has had such a cool, underappreciated season,” ESPN wrote in putting Robinson on its list of first-year stars ahead of NFL Rookie of the Year candidate Jared Verse of the Los Angeles Rams. “He was the eighth-fastest edge rusher off the ball, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, with an average get off of 0.76 seconds, and leveraged that wicked first step into a 17.2% pressure rate — sixth among all edge rushers with at least 200 pass rushes and first among rookies, including Jared Verse.

“Robinson had a low sack rate given his pressure rate and get off, but that’s to be expected for a young speed racer off the edge. In college football, players just need to win the race to the corner and they’ll get the quarterback down; in the NFL, it’s much tougher. Robinson was never a high sack guy in college, so technical steps are still needed to become a strong finisher in the pocket, but the base of an elite pass rusher is already there.”

If history holds, Robinson will have an even greater impact on the Dolphins’ defense in 2025. He made steady progress at Penn State while becoming a star, and he’s on track to do the same in the NFL.

“I think he has really taken his place and proven his name in the league,” Miami defensive tackle Zach Sieler told the Miami Herald in late November. “He’s one of the best I’ve seen at listening to guys – [Emmanuel] Ogbah, Calais [Campbell], me, whoever it is – and just taking all the information and putting it to work. To see that come together today was just really cool.”

PSU in the NFL Roundup

Saquon Barkley (Played at Penn State from 2015-17), RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Barkley put on another magnificent showing in a NFC divisional round win over the Los Angeles Rams. He took 26 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns and also added four receptions for 27 yards. He continues to dazzle in his first year in Philadelphia. Entering a NFC Conference Championship game matchup with Washington on Jan. 26, he has 345 carries for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns to go along with 33 receptions for 278 yards and two scores.  

Ryan Bates (2016-18), OL, Chicago Bears: Returning to action after being placed on injured reserve earlier in the season with shoulder and elbow problems, Bates was forced out of Chicago’s game against Green Bay in Week 11 with a concussion. He never returned to action, and thus missed the final seven games of the season.

Jaquan Brisker (2019-21), S, Chicago Bears: Brisker missed five of the Bears’ first 10 games with a concussion and was placed on injured reserve Nov. 14. He has 40 tackles and an interception this year. That’s how his season finished, as he spent the rest of the year on the injured reserve list. 

Cam Brown (2016-19), LB, Miami Dolphins: Brown was signed to Miami’s practice squad this offseason but has been on the team’s injury reserve list since August. The nature of his injury was not disclosed. 

Ji’Ayir Brown (2020-22), S, San Francisco 49ers: Brown was removed from his starting role before SF’s 38-13 win over Chicago on Dec. 10. A problem with missed tackles and a teammate returning from injury are the main reasons why. He is still part of the safety rotation. But, he has ground to make up to earn his first-team role back. So far, Brown has 40 tackles and an interception. 

Tariq Castro-Fields (2017-21), CB, Philadelphia Eagles: Castro-Fields was waived by Carolina on Oct. 1 and picked up by Philadelphia three weeks later. The team cut him but then resigned him to its practice squad ahead of the postseason. 

Dan Chisena (2015-19), WR, Carolina Panthers: Chisena was on Arizona’s practice squad but the team cut him on Oct. 11. Six days later, he joined the Panthers’ practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster for the final six games of the regular season and caught three passes for 37 yards. He also made two tackles on special teams.

Sean Clifford (2017-22), QB, Green Bay Packers: Clifford is on the Packers’ practice squad and did not see any game action in 2024.

Jahan Dotson (2018-21), WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Dotson, a former Penn State receiver, did not have any catches against the Rams in the divisional round but scored his touchdown as an Eagle when he caught an 11-yard pass for six in the team’s Wild Card Round win over Green Bay. 

Arnold Ebiketie (2021), LB, Atlanta Falcons: Ebeketie played in 17 games with two starts. He totaled 38 tackles, six sacks, 12 quarterback hurries, and two pass breakups.  

Olumuyiwa Fashanu (2020-23), OL, New York Jets: Fashanu played 50-plus snaps during the final five games of his rookie season before a foot injury ended it in Week 16. He totaled 534 snaps in 2024. His recovery timeline is unclear. 

Will Fries (2017-20), OL, Indianapolis Colts: Fries was placed on injured reserve Oct. 7 after his right tibia was fractured against Jacksonville. Carted off the field with his leg in an air cast, Fries underwent surgery that same night. Before getting hurt, he had started four games at right guard for the Colts.

Mike Gesicki (2014-17), TE, Cincinnati Bengals: Gesicki finished his first season in Cincinnati with 65 receptions for 665 yards and two touchdowns. His best game came against the Raiders on Nov. 3, when he caught six passes for 100 yards and two scores.

Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, Arizona Cardinals: The former Penn State punter averaged 49.7 yards over 38 punt attempts in 2024 before an ankle injury ended his season in early December. 

Kevin Givens (2016-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers: Givens missed time due to an injury in 2024. He finished the year with 11 tackles over eight games and 3.5 sacks. 

Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19), DE, San Francisco 49ers: Gross-Matos also missed time due to injury in 2024. Over 11 games, he made 19 tackles to go along with seven quarterback hits and six tackles for loss. 

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 missed a number of games due to injury early in the year but played four games down the stretch run of the regular season, finishing with four tackles. He has yet to be on the active roster for any playof games. 

Curtis Jacobs (2020-23), LB, New England Patriots: Jacobs landed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury in November and never returned to game action. He spread four tackles over nine games prior to the injury.

Austin Johnson (2013-15), DT, Buffalo Bills: Johnson has four tackles in the Playoffs, splitting two a piece over wins against Denver and Baltimore to put the Bills in the AFC Conference Championship game opposite the Kansas City Chiefs. He had 19 tackles in the regular season.

Theo Johnson (2020-23), TE, New York Giants: A foot injury ended the former Penn State tight end’s season early in late November. He finished 2024 with 29 receptions for 331 yards and a touchdown.

DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DL, Buffalo Bills: Jones had two tackles (one for loss) in the Bills’ 27-25 Divisional round win over Baltimore. In the regular season, he netted 23 stops (4.5 for loss) and 2.5 sacks.

Kalen King (2021-23), CB, Green Bay Packers: Green Bay elevated King to the active roster for the first time when he played Detroit on Dec. 5. However, he had no counting stats. He did not play in any other games. 

Jesse Luketa (2018-21), LB, Arizona Cardinals: Luketa played in 10 games in 2024 and started two on defense. He made 21 tackles (four for loss) and had three sacks plus a forced fumble. 

Connor McGovern (2016-18), OL, Buffalo Bills: McGovern continues to be one of the rock’s of the Bills’ often high-flying offense. His 1,091 snaps at center are the fourth most on the team. Buffalo plays Baltimore in the AFC Conference Championship game. 

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

Hunter Nourzad (2022-23), OL, Kansas City Chiefs: Nourzad is a member of Kansas City’s field goal kicking protection unit. He did play 31 snaps in a wild-card round win over Denver. But, generally speaking, he is a special teamer for the Chiefs, which play Baltimore in the AFC title game.

Amani Oruwariye (2015-18), CB, Dallas Cowboys: Oruwariye started in four games and played a total of seven in 2024 as the Cowboys dealt with injuries in the secondary. He totaled 29 tackles (one for loss) and three pass breakups. 

Odafe Oweh (2019-20), LB, Baltimore Ravens: The former Penn State defensive end had three tackles and a sack during the Ravens’ postseason run, which ended with a loss to Kansas City in the divisional round. On the year, he finished with 39 tackles (9.5 for loss), 10 sacks, and a forced fumble.

Micah Parsons (2018-20), DE, Dallas Cowboys: Parsons was invited to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time in his career despite injuries keeping him off the field for some of the 2024 season. He made 43 tackles over 13 games and also had 12 sacks and two forced fumbles. 

Joey Porter Jr. (2019-22), CB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Porter Jr., started all 16 games for the Steelers in 2024. He finished his second pro season with an interception, seven pass breakups, and 70 tackles (two for loss). 

Allen Robinson II (2011-13), WR, Detroit Lions: Robinson caught just three passes on seven targets for 30 yards in 2024. He did not register any postseason action.

Miles Sanders (2016-18), RB, Carolina Panthers: The former Penn State running back went on injured reserve in late November with an ankle injury. He never returned, an thus finished his first season in Carolina with 38 carries for 139 yards and one touchdown.

Nick Scott (2015-18), S, Carolina Panthers: Scott went on the IR in late October with a hamstring injury but returned for the December portion of the regular season. He finished the year with 30 tackles and two pass breakups over 10 games.

Juice Scruggs (2018-22), OL, Houston Texans: Scruggs battled through an injury during the latter half of the season. He was still able to play 73 snaps in the wild card round but missed the divisional round loss to Kansas City. He played 944 snaps in 2024. 

Brandon Smith (2019-21), LB, New York Jets: Smith was cut by Philadelphia in September and has since landed on the Jets’ practice squad. 

Chris Stoll (2017-22), LS, Seattle Seahawks: Stoll is the Seahawks’ long snapper. He totaled 148 snaps spread over field goal/extra point team work plus the punting unit.

Jordan Stout (2019-21), P, Baltimore Ravens: Stout averaged 46.4 yards over 55 punts in 2024. 

Brenton Strange (2019-22), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Estranged played in all 17 games for the Jaguars in 2024 and started 10 of them. He finished 40 receptions for 411 yards and two touchdowns. 

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

Rasheed Walker (2019-21), OL, Green Bay Packers: Walker, the team’s starting left tackle, led the Packers’ offense with 1,139 snaps. He was Green Bay’s third-best pass blocker, per Pro Football Focus.

Caedan Wallace (2019-23), OL, New England Patriots: Wallace was placed on injured reserve Oct. 4 after his ankle was hurt in a loss to San Francisco in Week 4. He returned to practice in December and played in the Patriots’ final two games, totaling 59 snaps over those two contests and 129 for the season.

Parker Washington (2020-22), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Washington was an oft-used part of an inconsistent Jaguars offense. He finished 2024 with 32 receptions over 17 games for 522 yards and three touchdowns. All were career highs.