University of Houston Athletics
Sixteen Coogs on NFL Rosters to Open 2021
9/8/2021 10:15:00 AM | Football
Cougars well represented at next level
HOUSTON – With the 2021 NFL season officially underway Thursday, 16 former Houston Football student-athletes represent the Cougars on rosters or practice squads around the league. Here's the list:
Matthew Adams, LB | Indianapolis Colts
Matthew Adams, LB | Indianapolis Colts
- The Missouri City, Texas, native enters his fourth season with the Colts. Adams, who has registered 33 career tackles at the next level, played in 48 games for the Cougars, logging 259 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and five forced fumbles.
- Allen begins his season with the Washington Football team and fourth in the NFL. Washington traded a fifth-round pick to acquire Allen from Carolina where he threw for 3,322 yards and 17 touchdowns two seasons ago. Allen threw a total of 751 passing yards and had a career high of 141.2 quarterback rating during his time with the Cougars.
- Bowser enters his fifth season with the Baltimore Ravens. The linebacker produced career highs in tackles (34), passes defended (3) and interceptions (3). In four seasons with the Ravens, Bowser has appeared in 63 games, registering 78 tackles and 10.5 sacks.
- Egbule heads into his third season after being selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Chargers. The former Houston standout logged four tackles a season ago. He will start the 2021 season on the practice squad.
- The 2016 Bengals first-round draft pick is in the midst of a three-year contract with the Washington Football Team. Jackson enters his sixth season as a full-time starting cornerback. He battled a shoulder injury in 2019, but played in 14 games and logged 37 tackles, three passes defended and one interception.
- Former Houston standout Braylon Jones signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 2021 as an undrafted free agent. Jones played for the Cougars from 2016-2020. He will begin the season on the practice squad.
- Jones enters his second NFL season after being selected by Arizona in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Jones appeared in 13 games as a rookie. Jones only allowed 18 pressures while playing 1,282 pass-blocking snaps during his final three seasons at Houston.
- Keenum signed a three-year deal with Cleveland in March 2020 and enters his ninth season. The NCAA's career passing yards record holder has thrown for 14,414 career yards and 75 touchdowns in the NFL.
- Oliver enters his third season with Buffalo after being drafted by the team ninth overall. The former three-time All-American piled up 43 tackles, five tackles for loss and five sacks during the 2019 regular season. He joined Darryl Talley has the only rookies in Buffalo franchise history with sacks in three straight games.
- Oliver became the first Houston player ever to earn All-American distinction three times and was awarded the 2017 Outland Trophy.
- Roberts enters his sixth NFL season and second with the Dolphins in 2021. In his first year with Miami, the linebacker produced 59 tackles including 31 solo stops. Roberts owns 253 tackles in 73 career games alongside 5.5 sacks.
- Former Cougar Football team captain Marquez Stevenson enters his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills. Stevenson was selected by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2021 Draft. He will begin the season on the injured reserve.
- In 2020, Stevenson tallied 20 receptions for 307 yards and four touchdowns in five games played. Added three rushes for 16 yards.
- Former Cougar Football team captain Grant Stuard enters his rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stuard was selected by the Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2021 Draft. On May 13, 2021, Stuart signed a four-year contract.
- Stuard was a 2019 American Athletic All-Conference Second Team and 2020 American Athletic All-Conference First Team selection.
- Former Houston defensive end player Nick Thurman enters his second season in the NFL for the New England Patriots.
- At Houston, he appeared in 44 career games with 19 starts at defensive end and totaled 92 tackles and two fumble recoveries.
- The former Houston team captain enters his NFL rookie season playing for the New Orleans Saints. Turner was drafted by the Saints in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
- During his four collegiate seasons, Turner notched career totals of 115 tackles (68 solo), 10 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, 10 passes defended and one blocked punt.
- Two seasons ago with the Eagles, Ward went from the practice squad to a leading receiver down the stretch.
- Despite appearing on the Eagles practice during the 2016-2019 seasons, Ward was an easy lock for the Eagles' 53-man roster.
- Cincinnati resigned Wilson to a two-year contract in March. Last season, Wilson returned a kickoff by the New York Giants for a 103-yard touchdown – it was the longest touchdown return in franchise history.
Players Mentioned
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LB
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DL
/ FootballMedia Availability: Ashton Porter
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