BOONE, N.C. — NFL rookies from App State closed the 2020 regular season in strong fashion, and four App State alums are on teams that will make playoff appearances.
Tennessee Titans rookie running back
Darrynton Evans scored his first NFL touchdown on a 3-yard catch against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 20, and Cincinnati Bengals rookie linebacker
Akeem Davis-Gaither recorded his first career interception while posting a career-high 10 tackles in a Week 17 finale against the Baltimore Ravens.
This weekend, three App State alums are on teams playing in Wild Card games, while center Daniel Kilgore and the Kansas City Chiefs have a bye as the AFC's top seed.
Saturday, 1:05 p.m. — Rookie safety
Josh Thomas is on the roster of the Buffalo Bills, who host the Indianapolis Colts.
Sunday, 1:05 p.m. — Evans and the division-champion Titans host the Baltimore Ravens.
Sunday, 8:15 p.m. — Kendall Lamm is an offensive tackle for the Cleveland Browns, who travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Here's a look back how the Mountaineers in the NFL fared during the regular season:
Darrynton Evans, RB, Tennessee Titans
Evans returned from a hamstring injury in time to make an impact late in the Titans' playoff push.
In addition to his 3-yard TD catch on Dec. 20, he had eight carries for 30 yards and set up a touchdown with a 24-yard reception. A week later, in the snow at Lambeau Field, he returned six kickoffs for 145 yards, then had a 16-yard return and an impressive-looking tackle on punt coverage against the Houston Texans.
In five regular-season games, Evans totaled 14 carries for 54 yards, two catches for 27 yards and nine kickoff returns for 206 yards (22.9 yards per return).
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Davis-Gaither played in all 16 games as a rookie, posting 31 tackles (20 solo), one interception, half a sack and three passes defended. He also
hosted the Akeem Davis-Gaither Coat Drive in his hometown of Thomasville, N.C.
Kendall Lamm, OT, Cleveland Browns
Lamm appeared in 15 regular-season games, made one start and even caught a short touchdown pass for the Browns, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2002.
Daniel Kilgore, C, Kansas City Chiefs
Kilgore played in seven regular-season games and made his fourth start in a Week 17 finale for the Chiefs, who went 14-2.
Sam Martin, P, Denver Broncos
In his first season with the Broncos and eighth season overall, Martin averaged 46.8 yards per punt with a net average of 42.1. He had 19 punts inside the 20 and a long kick of 69 yards.
Douglas Middleton, DB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Middleton played in 10 games and made nine tackles for the Jaguars in his fourth pro season.
Tae Hayes, CB, Minnesota Vikings
Hayes made his Vikings debut in Week 17 after appearing in two games earlier this season for the Miami Dolphins. He totaled three tackles in his second pro season.
Josh Thomas, DB, Buffalo Bills
Thomas appeared in two regular-season games and made his first career tackle against the New England Patriots.
Ronald Blair, DE, San Francisco 49ers
Blair spent the entire season on the physically unable to perform list for the 49ers after appearing in 47 games in his first four seasons.
Colby Gossett, OG, Cleveland Browns
Gossett, a member of the Browns' practice squad, opted out of the 2020 season.
