NFL football is officially back and the first week of the season is in the books. If you watched some of the games, you may have spotted some of your favorite former K-State football players. Here are some players that made an impact to kick off the brand-new season.
Cooper Beebe, C, Dallas Cowboys
Beebe, a third-round rookie, made his debut for the Cowboys after earning the duty of snapping to Dallas QB1 Dak Prescott. He played a clean game at center, ranking 16th among the position in pass block win rate and second in run block win rate, per NFL Next Gen stats.
Beebe even helped lead the way for former teammate and K-State running back Deuce Vaughn on a four-yard rush.
Although Beebe played guard in college, his transition to the center position proved serviceable in Week 1 as the Cowboys dismantled the Browns 33-17.
Lowest pressure rates allowed by rookie offensive linemen in Week 1 (min. 10 pass block snaps):
– Cooper Beebe, DAL: 0% (0 pressures/36 pass snaps)
– Zach Frazier, PIT: 0% (0/29)
– Taliese Fuaga, NO: 0% (0/26)
– Andrew Vorhees, BAL: 2% (1/51)
– Graham Barton, TB: 2.9% (1/34)
-… https://t.co/png3tMvReB pic.twitter.com/Z584RQti73— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) September 9, 2024
Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas City Chiefs
Anudike-Uzomah, a former first-round pick, began his second year in the red and yellow threads making the most of his limited reps. The young defensive end got a tackle for loss and recovered a fumble to get Kansas City the ball back.
The future looks promising for Anudike-Uzomah as he continues to develop into Kansas City’s next starting defensive end.
Chris Jones : 3 tackles, sack & a forced fumble
Felix Anudike-Uzomah : 1 tackle for loss & a fumble recovery pic.twitter.com/F91NcbcEFX— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) September 6, 2024
JuJu Brents, CB, Indianapolis Colts
Brents, a second-year pro, is a promising young cornerback for the Colts. He opened the year with seven tackles against the Texans, three of which were solo tackles.
Although it’s a solid start to the year, Brents’ season will end early. The Colts announced Tuesday that Brents will be placed on injured reserve for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.
D.J. Reed, CB, New York Jets
Reed tied for second in total tackles in the Jets’ loss to the 49ers. Of his nine combined tackles, seven were solo tackles by Reed.
Competing in his seventh year in the NFL, Reed is one of the longest-tenured former Wildcats still in the league. His veteran presence can help develop some younger pieces on this skilled Jets defense.
Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
On the note of long tenures, Lockett is going into year 10 of his esteemed NFL career. The former Pro Bowl wideout had six receptions for 77 yards in a 26-20 win against the Denver Broncos.
The longtime Seattle receiver made a clutch one-handed grab on third down to help guarantee a Seahawks victory.
Tyler Lockett ices the game with a one-handed grab
: #DENvsSEA on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/bxcaagjwel— NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024