Courtesy: NC State Torry Holt finished fourth in the NFL last season recording 93 receptions.
A total of 21 former NC State players appear on the opening day rosters of various NFL squads, with the 53-man rosters announced on September 2. Here is a brief recap on each current NFL player:
- Brian Clark, Denver Broncos- Enters his second season with the Broncos. Finished with 23 kickoff returns and 512 kickoff return yards as a rookie last season.
- Jerricho Cotchery, NY Jets- Begins his fourth season in NY. In 2006 he became the tenth player in Jets’ postseason history to record a 100-yard receiving game during a playoff loss to NE.
- Dovonte Edwards, NY Giants- Begins his first season in NY, after spending previous seasons in Minnesota. - Terrence Holt, Arizona Cardinals- Enters first season with Cardinals as an unrestricted free agent. Spent past four seasons with Detroit Lions.
- Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams- Led Rams with 93 receptions (fourth in NFL) last season. Entering his ninth season with St. Louis.
- Oliver Hoyte, Dallas Cowboys- Going into his second season with Cowboys, he looks to become a key player. A very physical player who started six games in his 2006 campaign.
- Marcus Hudson, San Francisco 49ers- Played in all 16 games as a rookie in 2006. Looks to continue to fight for time in the secondary and on special teams during his second season with San Francisco.
- Scott Kooistra, Cincinnati Bengals- Enters fifth season in NFL, all with Cincinnati. Played in 15 games in 2006, mostly on special teams.
- Manny Lawson, San Francisco 49ers- Registered 49ers only blocked punt of the season as a rookie last season. Looks to play at outside linebacker during his second season in NFL.
- Sean Locklear, Seattle Seahawks- Has spent all four NFL seasons with Seahawks. Registered 10 starts in 2006.
- John McCargo, Buffalo Bills- Begins his second season with Buffalo. Had a season-high four tackles at Chicago last season. - Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers- Led the Chargers to 14 wins as first-year starting quarterback in 2006, completing almost 62% of passes. Entering fourth season in NFL.
- Corey Smith, Detroit Lions- Will battle for a starting spot at defensive end. Made strong impact with Lions after signing in November of last season.
- Pat Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars- Competing for starting linebacker position in his third season with Jacksonville. Placed on injured reserve in 2006 due to a hamstring injury.
- Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee Titans- Played in all 16 games as a rookie last season and will continue to compete for the starting middle linebacker spot in 2007.
- Brian Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars- Started 15 games in 2006 at right corner. Finished last season with 63 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception.
- Mario Williams, Houston Texans- Houstons only defensive lineman to start every game last season. Had 4.5 sacks for 20.5 yards, a franchise rookie-record.
- Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals- Begins seventh season with Arizona after earning first Pro Bowl berth in 2006. Became the first defensive player in NFL history to record two touchdowns of 99+ yards in one season.
- John Deraney, Detroit Lions- Entering his rookie season in NFL, currently on injured reserve list. - Leroy Harris, Tennessee Titans- Begins first season in NFL. Looking to make an impact at center.
- Tank Tyler, Kansas City Chiefs- A third round selection in NFL Draft. Physical player who looks for playing time at defensive tackle.
Courtesy: NC State
