From touchdown catches to bone-rattling sacks, former Nittany Lions made their mark across the NFL as all 32 teams opened the preseason, showcasing their skills and setting the stage for an exciting year ahead.
Penn State alumni have landed with nearly every team across the league, and while several of the more established players were inactive, many participated over the last week, some earning their first professional game experience.
Here’s a recap of how former Nittany Lions fared to open up the preseason slate.
Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts: Warren’s preseason debut resulted in three receptions for 40 yards, with another reception that was called back for a penalty. He finished with the second most receiving yards on the team.
Adisa Isaac, LB, Baltimore Ravens: Entering his second season in the NFL, Isaac recorded one sack and four tackles. Isaac isn’t projected as a starter this season, but a strong preseason could lead to more playing opportunities.
Jordan Stout, P, Baltimore Ravens: Stout produced an impressive performance, totaling five punts for 241 yards in a 24-16 win over the Colts.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles: Entering his second season with the Eagles, Dotson stood out with two receptions for 27 yards to open the preseason. He’s battling to retain a starting role after winning a Super Bowl last season.
Tariq Castro-Fields, CB, Philadelphia Eagles: Castro-Fields isn’t expected to see much playing time this season, but he recorded two passes defended and one tackle on Thursday night in an impressive performance.
Mitchell Tinsley, WR, Cincinnati Bengals: In his first game action with the Bengals, Tinsley put up one reception for 15 yards.
Arnold Ebiketie, LB, Atlanta Falcons: The former Penn State defensive end, now a linebacker in the NFL, registered a strip sack on quarterback Hendon Hooker on Friday night. It was one of his two tackles in the team’s first preseason game.
Nick Scott, S, Carolina Panthers: Scott had a rough outing for the Panthers with some missed opportunities. He finished with one tackle in a 30-10 loss to the Browns.
Abdul Carter, LB, New York Giants: Though he only recorded one tackle, Carter was constantly in the backfield during his limited playing time with the Giants, recording three quarterback pressures on just six snaps.
Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants: Former Penn State tight end Theo Johnson recorded two catches for 10 yards on the Giants’ first drive of the preseason, which resulted in a field goal. He had another catch taken away by a penalty.
KJ Hamler, WR, Buffalo Bills: Hamler only recorded one catch for the Bills, but it was enough to make a major impact. His 39-yard reception went for a touchdown and was the second longest play of the game. He also made two kick returns for 48 yards.
Daequan Hardy, CB, Buffalo Bills: Hardy made an impact on two sides of the ball, finishing with a tackle on defense and two kick returns for 48 yards.
Kobe King, LB, Minnesota Vikings: Entering his first professional season, King recorded three tackles against the Texans. He’s not a projected starter, but King played well nonetheless.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars: Strange played sparingly in the Jaguars’ first preseason game but got in the stat column during their first drive with an 11-yard reception.
Parker Washington, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars: Washington had three catches but managed just five yards in a 31-25 loss to the Steelers.
Curtis Jacobs, LB, Tennessee Titans: Jacobs finished with two tackles against the Buccaneers as he prepares to enter his second season in the pros. Jacobs saw limited snaps with the Patriots last season and will now battle for playing time in Tennessee.
Amani Oruwariye, CB, Tennessee Titans: Entering his sixth NFL season and first with the Titans, Oruwariye recorded one tackle in the first preseason game.
Sean Clifford, QB, Green Bay Packers: Clifford was the third quarterback to see the field after Jordan Love and Malik Willis, orchestrating three drives which resulted in a pair of punts and a touchdown. Clifford finished 2-for-4 passing for 14 yards and threw a key block to spring the touchdown run.
Kalen King, CB, Green Bay Packers: King saw ample playing time and made the most of it, recording three tackles and a clutch third-down pass breakup in the end zone.
Coziah Izzard, DT, Kansas City Chiefs: Izzard recorded one tackle in his NFL debut against the Cardinals after being signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason.
Blake Gillikin, P, Arizona Cardinals: The former Penn State punter played the entire game against the Chiefs and recorded three punts for 142 total yards, including two inside the 20-yard line.
Storm Duck, CB, Miami Dolphins: Though his time as a Nittany Lion was brief (December 2022-April 2023) and he never suited up in the blue and white, Duck went on to have an NFL career after four seasons with North Carolina and one with Louisville. Entering his second year with the Dolphins, Duck registered four tackles in a strong first preseason matchup.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Los Angeles Chargers: After four seasons at Penn State and one at Auburn, Lambert-Smith was selected in the fifth round this spring. In the annual Hall of Fame Game last week, he popped with two receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown. His fortunes flipped in the Chargers’ second preseason game, as he came up empty-handed despite being targeted twice.
