Penn State in the NFL: Pat Freiermuth ready for big Steelers' stretch; Saquon continues to shine, more

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Pat Freiermuth joked following the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27-14 win over the Cleveland Browns that his grandfather would probably be pi**ed at the fact that he punted the ball into the crowd after scoring his fifth touchdown of the season. A fine from the NFL is surely coming for the act. That part of the story isn’t good. But, the silver lining is that the act is a reminder that, after a productive but mostly unspectacular last two years in the Steel City, Freiermuth is finally finding the end zone again.

Entering a Week 15 clash at the Philadelphia Eagles that kicks off a closing four-game stretch that also includes Super Bowl contenders Kansas City and Baltimore plus division partner Cincinnati and will define whether or not the team wins the AFC North that it currently leads, Friermuth leads the Steelers with five receiving touchdowns, has caught 44 passes for 470 yards, and is second on the team with 23 of his receptions moving the sticks for a fresh set of downs. He’s closing in on his seven touchdowns from 2021, his rookie year. And, he’s already surpassed the four total he caught in 2022 and 2023.

“We’re ready for it,” Freiermuth told Sports Illustrated when asked about the team’s stretch run. “It’s going to be tough with physical teams and really good teams—three games in 10 days. That’s why we get paid the big bucks, is to get out there and get our bodies ready to perform. There are really no excuses.”

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Freiermuth was doing well throughout 2024. And, his play has certainly not taken a next step back in any great way since ageless vet Russell Wilson replaced Justin Fields under center. Since taking over the starting job back in October against the New York Jets, Wilson has targeted Freiermuth at least twice in every game. He scored a touchdown in each of the Steelers’ last two games, as well, a streak he hopes to keep going against cross-state Philadelphia. 

It’s clear that his connection with Russel is terrific, and with the status of receiver George Pickens seemingly questionable for a variety of reasons on a weekly basis, Freiermuth will continue to be a top target in the passing game. 

“Not that we ever didn’t have respect for Russ. It was tough when he was hurt, but he did a great job when he was hurt of being involved, and helping Justin any way he could. Freiermuth told SI. “That’s what helped him when he came back—guys knew that he had our back. He had Justin’s back. There was no animosity between the two. It was all about winning. It couldn’t really happen without both of them, and how they handled it.

“It’s just his experience and his leadership,” Freiermuth continues. “Being there, being that vet, he’s seen a lot of things on the football field. Just him being able to rely on that and get us into great looks for situations, he’s a hell of a quarterback. Any time you can mix that with the playmakers we have on offense holding us accountable, it’s a recipe for success.”

Read how other former Penn State players are performing in the NFL before Week 15 below.

Reviewing Penn State alums’ seasons to date on offense

Saquon Barkley (Played at Penn State from 2015-17), RB, Philadelphia Eagles: Barkley’s nine games with at least 100 rushing yards this year is a franchise record. His 1,623 rushing yards this year are also the most for an Eagle in a single season. He is on pace to break Eric Dickerson’s all-time NFL single-season rushing yards mark. His 11 touchdowns are the fifth most in the NFL. And, he’s in the MVP and All-Pro conversations. 

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.

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. 

Sean Clifford (2017-22), QB, Green Bay Packers: Clifford is on the Packers’ practice squad and has yet to see game action this season.

Jahan Dotson (2018-21), WR, Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles passing offense is up and down week to week. Even when it is thriving, Dotson does not have a big role in it. He has just 12 catches on 21 targets for 122 yards.

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Olumuyiwa Fashanu (2020-23), OL, New York Jets: After being worked into the lineup as a rookie, Fashanu has played 68 snaps in each of the Jets’ last two games and at least 30 in the last five.

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 saw more targets in November than in October, with star receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins dealing with injuries. He has 42 receptions on the season for 460 yards and two scores. He caught both touchdown tosses against the Raiders on Nov. 3.

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

Allen Robinson II (2011-13), WR, Detroit Lions: Robinson II does not have a large role in the Lions’ passing attack. Over nine games, he has just two catches for 9 yards on five targets. 

Miles Sanders (2016-18), RB, Carolina Panthers: Sanders went on injured reserve in late November with an ankle injury. Barring an unlikely return, he will finish his first season in Carolina with 38 carries for 139 yards and one touchdown.

Juice Scruggs (2018-22), OL, Houston Texans: Scruggs began the season as the Texans’ starting center but has been moved to left guard due to injuries on the team’s offensive line.

Theo Johnson (2020-23), TE, New York Giants: Johnson was carving out a bigger role for himself during his rookie year before ending up on the injured reserve list in December. He is dealing with a foot injury. Before it, he led non-receivers on the team with 29 catches for 331 yards.

Connor McGovern (2016-18), OL, Buffalo Bills: McGovern starts for the Bills and has amassed 770 snaps so far this season. 

Hunter Nourzad (2022-23), OL, Kansas City Chiefs: Nourzad is a key part of the Chiefs’ special teams unit. He is not playing on offense but does have a blocking role on all placement kicks. 

Brenton Strange (2019-22), TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Strange has played in every game this year, but his offense usage has been as inconsistent as the Jacksonville attack has been overall. Over 13 games, he has 23 receptions on 32 targets for 291 yards and three touchdowns. 

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

Rasheed Walker (2019-21), OL, Green Bay Packers: Walker is the starting left tackle for Green Bay. He leads the team’s offense with 822 snaps played so far this season. He has allowed just one quarterback hit this year which is among the best in the NFL.

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.

Parker Washington (2020-22), WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Washington is similar to Strange in that his success is wholly dependent on how the entirety of the woeful Jaguars offense performs. Over 13 games he has 18 catches on 32 targets for 236 yards and a touchdown. 

Reviewing Nittany Lion alums’ seasons to date on defense

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. 

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.

Arnold Ebiketie (2021), LB, Atlanta Falcons: Ebeketie has played in just 13 games this season. He has 28 tackles on the season and 4 sacks. 

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Blake Gillikin (2016-19), P, Arizona Cardinals: Gillikin is averaging 49.7 yards per boot. His net punting yards average of 44.3 yards is third in the NFL.

Kevin Givens (2016-18), DT, San Francisco 49ers: Givens has been slowed by a groin injury that forced him to miss midseason games against Dallas, Tampa Bay and Seattle. He had 3.5 sacks and 2 tackles for loss before getting hurt.

Yetur Gross-Matos (2017-19), DE, San Francisco 49ers: Gross-Matos has 15 tackles now after missing some time earlier in the year. He had his best game of the year against the Bears on Dec. 8, as he netted three sacks. 

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 but has been active again of late. He has just one tackle over the last three games, which were his first since late September. 

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Curtis Jacobs (2020-23), LB, New England Patriots: Jacobs landed on the injured reserve list with a knee injury in November and is still on it.

Austin Johnson (2013-15), DT, Buffalo Bills: Johnson has played in 12 games so far over his first season in Buffalo. He has 16 tackles and two interceptions so far this season.

DaQuan Jones (2010-13), DL, Buffalo Bills: Jones has 22 tackles on the season and two sacks. He also has logged a pass breakup this year. 

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. 

Jesse Luketa (2018-21), LB, Arizona Cardinals: Luketa plays special teams and defense for Arizona. He has 20 tackles and 3 sacks on the year and has also forced a fumble. 

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

Amani Oruwariye (2015-18), CB, Dallas Cowboys: The former Penn State cornerback was in the news for all the wrong reasons after the Cowboys’ Week 14 loss to Cincinnati. Late in the game, the Bengals punted and Dallas blocked it. Oruwariye, who didn’t know it was blocked, touched the ball and tried to down it, which instead made it a live ball Cincinnati could recover. They did and scored a short while later to win the game. On the season, Oruwariye has 20 tackles and an interception. 

Odafe Oweh (2019-20), LB, Baltimore Ravens: Oweh owns 32 tackles, eight sacks, and a forced fumble so far this season.

Micah Parsons (2018-20), DE, Dallas Cowboys: Parsons continues to play well since a lengthy absence due to a lower body injury. Since returning to action he has 11 tackles and 3.5 sacks over Dallas’ last three games. On the year, he has 28 tackles and 6.5 sacks. 

Joey Porter Jr. (2019-22), CB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Porter Jr.’s physical brand of football is again causing penalties to be called on him in an alarming way. But, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is backing the second-year defender’s style of play. Through 13 games he has 56 tackles, two interceptions, and 15 pass breakups. He is far and away the most penalized cornerback in the NFL, though, with 15 flags against him so far this year.

Chop Robinson (2022-23), LB, Miami Dolphins: Robinson seems to get more recognition each week as he continues to get his footing at the NFL level. He had four tackles, 1.5 sacks, and two pass breakups in a break out game against New England on Nov. 24. On the year he has 19 tackles and 3.5 sacks. 

Nick Scott (2015-18), S, Carolina Panthers: Scott has been on the IR since late October with a hamstring injury. He is eligible to return this season if he ever gets healthy enough to do so. He has 28 tackles and two pass breakups over seven games this season.

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 continues to serve as the Seahawks’ starting long snapper. 

Jordan Stout (2019-21), P, Baltimore Ravens: When he’s not handling punting, Stout is also the team’s holder. As for the punting, his 42 boots this year have gone for an average of 47.9 yards.