BOONE, N.C. — With the signing of linebacker
Andrew Parker Jr., who joined the New England Patriots' practice squad, App State currently has a Sun Belt-high 14 football alums on NFL rosters.
Here's a Week 13 rundown on App State alums in the NFL, with big plays coming from Akeem Davis-Gaither, Jalen Virgil and Sam Martin.
DARRYNTON EVANS | RB | Chicago Bears (PS)
AKEEM DAVIS-GAITHER | LB | Cincinnati Bengals
TYREK FUNDERBURK | CB | Tampa Bay Bucs
NICK HAMPTON | OLB | Los Angeles Rams
COOPER HODGES | OL | Jacksonville Jaguars (IR)
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
ANDREW PARKER JR. | LB | New England Patriots
JALEN VIRGIL | WR | Buffalo Bills
BUCKY WILLIAMS | OL | Los Angeles Chargers (IR)
ANDREW PARKER JR. | LB | New England Patriots
On Wednesday, the Patriots signed Parker, a rookie who had spent the preseason with the Jacksonville Jaguars before being released in late August. In 2023, Parker was an All-Sun Belt first-team performer who led the team and ranked No. 4 in the Sun Belt with 114 tackles.
AKEEM DAVIS-GAITHER | LB | Cincinnati Bengals
Davis-Gaither started and tied his career high by making 13 tackles in the Bengals' 44-38 loss to Pittsburgh. He played all but one defensive snap with Logan Wilson sidelined and also was in for 79 percent of the special teams plays.
JALEN VIRGIL | WR | Buffalo Bills
Appearing in a snow-covered Sunday Night Football game, Virgil recovered a fumbled kickoff return by San Francisco in the fourth quarter of a 35-10 win that clinched another division title for the Bills. He also downed a punt at the 6-yard line following a kick by fellow App State alum Sam Martin, and they were able to pose for a postgame picture with another App State alum, Ronald Blair, who works with the 49ers' defensive line.
Virgil played on 26 percent of the offensive snaps and 60 percent of the special teams plays.
SAM MARTIN | P | Buffalo Bills
Martin averaged 46.7 yards on three punts, including the punt that Virgil downed at the 6 and a 54-yarder to the 11.
KENDALL LAMM | OL | Miami Dolphins
Lamm started at right tackle and, dealing with injuries, played 76 percent of the offensive plays in Miami's 30-17 loss to Green Bay on Thanksgiving night.
NICK HAMPTON | OLB | Los Angeles Rams
Hampton played three defensive snaps and appeared on 71 percent of the special teams plays in the Rams' 21-14 win against New Orleans.
SHEMAR JEAN-CHARLES | CB | New Orleans Saints
Jean-Charles made one tackle while playing on 33 percent of the special teams plays in the loss to the Rams.
D'MARCO JACKSON | LB | New Orleans Saints
Jackson played on 71 percent of the special teams plays in New Orleans' loss to the Rams.
RYAN NEUZIL | OL | Atlanta Falcons
Neuzil blocked on special teams during the Falcons' 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
TYREK FUNDERBURK | CB | Tampa Bay Bucs
Funderburk was not active for Tampa Bay's overtime win against Carolina.
COOPER HODGES | OL | Jacksonville Jaguars
Hodges is on injured reserve after making his first career start and suffering a significant right leg injury in a Nov. 3 loss to Philadelphia.
