BOONE, N.C. — App State currently has a Sun Belt-high 12 football alums on NFL rosters, including cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles, who made his first career NFL start and recorded his first career interception while back in the state of North Carolina.
Here's a Week 9 rundown on App State alums in the NFL:
AKEEM DAVIS-GAITHER | LB | Cincinnati Bengals
TYREK FUNDERBURK | CB | Tampa Bay Bucs
NICK HAMPTON | OLB | Los Angeles Rams
COOPER HODGES | OL | Jacksonville Jaguars
D'MARCO JACKSON | LB | New Orleans Saints
SHEMAR JEAN-CHARLES | CB | New Orleans Saints
SHAUN JOLLY | CB | Los Angeles Rams (PS)
KENDALL LAMM | OL | Miami Dolphins
SAM MARTIN | P/KO | Buffalo Bills
RYAN NEUZIL | OL | Atlanta Falcons
JALEN VIRGIL | WR | Buffalo Bills (PS)
BUCKY WILLIAMS | OL | Los Angeles Chargers (IR)
SHEMAR JEAN-CHARLES | CB | New Orleans Saints
Jean-Charles, who rejoined the Saints' practice squad on Oct. 22, a week after being released, made the most out of being added to the active roster before the short-handed Saints' game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte.
He delivered a highlight-reel interception by ripping the ball away from Panthers receiver Xavier Legette with New Orleans holding a 22-17 lead in the fourth quarter. Carolina came back to win 23-22.
Jean-Charles played 98 percent of the defensive snaps and finished with two tackles in his 29
th career game. He entered the NFL in 2021 and has played for Green Bay, San Francisco and New Orleans.
COOPER HODGES | OL | Jacksonville Jaguars
Unfortunately, after making his first career start at left guard on Sunday, Hodges suffered a significant right leg injury for the second straight year and has been placed on Reserve/Injured List.
He had to be carted off the field with an air cast on his right leg after getting hurt during a two-point conversion attempt in the third quarter of Jacksonville's loss to Philadelphia.
SAM MARTIN | P/KO | Buffalo Bills
Martin had the game-winning hold on a 61-yard field goal that lifted Buffalo to a 30-27 win against Miami. His only punt was a 49-yard kick to the 18, with the return losing a yard.
He is averaging 47.7 yards per punt this season.
RYAN NEUZIL | OL | Atlanta Falcons
Neuzil started at center for the sixth straight week, playing all 57 offensive snaps in a win against Dallas.
AKEEM DAVIS-GAITHER | LB | Cincinnati Bengals
Davis-Gaither made two defensive stops for the Bengals in a 41-24 win against Las Vegas. He played on 28 percent of the defensive snaps and 75 percent of the special teams plays.
NICK HAMPTON | OLB | Los Angeles Rams
Hampton broke up a pass on one of this three defensive snaps and appeared on 78 percent of the special teams plays in a 26-20 overtime win against Seattle.
D'MARCO JACKSON | LB | New Orleans Saints
Jackson had three tackles while appearing on 86 percent of the special teams plays in the loss to Carolina.
KENDALL LAMM | OL | Miami Dolphins
Lamm blocked on special teams during Miami's loss to Buffalo.
TYREK FUNDERBURK | CB | Tampa Bay Bucs
Funderburk played five defensive snaps and also appeared on three special teams plays in Tampa Bay's overtime loss to Kansas City on Monday Night Football.
JALEN VIRGIL | WR | Buffalo Bills
Virgil was promoted from the practice squad to the active roster for the second straight week. He appeared on five offensive plays and one-third of the special teams plays.
ANDERSON HARDY | OL | Miami Dolphins (PS)
Hardy was released from the Dolphins' practice squad.
