BOONE, N.C. — Thirteen App State alums, a Sun Belt high, are currently on NFL rosters.
Another one, Steve Wilks, was named the Carolina Panthers' interim head coach this week.
Steve Wilks, Interim HC, Carolina Panthers
The firing of Matt Rhule preceded the move involving Wilks, who played at App State from 1987-91 and coached with the Mountaineers in 2001. His long, distinguished coaching career has involved a stint as a Panthers assistant from 2012-17 before he was hired as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach for the 2018 season.
After working for the Cleveland Browns in 2019 and on Eliah Drinkwitz's staff at Missouri in 2021, he began this season as the Panthers' defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
Demetrius Taylor, DL, Detroit Lions
An undrafted rookie, Taylor made the Lions' 53-man roster out of training camp and appeared in a game for the first time on Sunday, when Detroit was shut out by New England.
Taylor played 13 defensive snaps, or roughly one-fourth of them, and did not register any individual statistics.
Sam Martin, P/H, Buffalo Bills
Martin averaged 55.0 yards on two punts, including a 61-yarder, in a 38-3 win against Pittsburgh.
Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Cincinnati Bengals
Davis-Gaither played 20 defensive snaps and on 65 percent of the special teams plays in a 19-17 loss to Baltimore.
Shemar Jean-Charles, CB, Green Bay Packers
Jean-Charles had one tackle on a kickoff return and appeared on 42 percent of the special teams plays in 27-20 loss to the New York Giants.
Colby Gossett, OG, Atlanta Falcons
Gossett blocked on special teams kicks in a 21-15 loss to Tampa Bay.
Active Roster Inactives
App State has an impressive three rookie free agents on 53-man rosters: Taylor, CB
Shaun Jolly (Los Angeles Rams) and WR/KR
Jalen Virgil (Denver Broncos).
Practice Squad
Darrynton Evans, RB, Chicago Bears
Tae Hayes, CB, Carolina Panthers
Ryan Neuzil, OL, Atlanta Falcons
Josh Thomas, S, Arizona Cardinals
Reserve/Injured List
Thomas Hennigan, WR, Minnesota Vikings
D'Marco Jackson, LB, New Orleans Saints
