NFL Basketball Report: Look at Active Players Who Were College Hoopsters
November 1st, 2013 - 18:21
The NFL Injury Report is distributed in mid-week although it isn't nearly as important to genuine hoop fans as this mid-season NFL Basketball Report. Pass catchers (tight ends and wide receivers) are the most prominent ex-college hoopsters with blossoming stars in Jordan Cameron (Cleveland Browns) and Julius Thomas (Denver Broncos).
Tony Gonzalez, who excelled in 1997 NCAA playoffs with California before becoming the first tight end with 100 touchdowns, aspires to secure his first NFL playoff victory but probably will need to be traded by the Atlanta Falcons to achieve that milestone. The NFL featured the following versatile players who previously were college hoopsters:
| Player | Pos. | NFL Team | College(s) | Summary of 2013 NFL Regular Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Barwin | OLB | Philadelphia Eagles | Cincinnati | newcomer had three sacks (after 11 1/2 in 2011 with Houston Texans) |
| Jordan Cameron | TE | Cleveland Browns | Brigham Young/Southern California | team highs of 50 receptions and six TDs in third campaign |
| Demar Dotson | RT | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Southern Mississippi | 6-9 lineman is a starter in fifth season |
| London Fletcher | ILB | Washington Redskins | Saint Francis, PA/John Carroll, OH | 52 tackles plus one fumble recovery and one sack in 16th season |
| Antonio Gates | TE | San Diego Chargers | Kent State | 42 pass receptions for 497 yards and two touchdown catches in 11th year |
| Tony Gonzalez | TE | Atlanta Falcons | California | 38 pass receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns in 17th campaign |
| Jimmy Graham | TE | New Orleans Saints | Miami (Fla.) | fourth-year pro has 40 pass receptions for 630 yards and eight touchdowns |
| Demetrius Harris | TE | Kansas City Chiefs | Milwaukee | rookie is member of developmental squad |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | Houston Texans | Clemson | rookie had 28 receptions for 416 yards and two touchdowns |
| Vincent Jackson | WR | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Northern Colorado | posted 41 receptions for 623 yards and four touchdowns in ninth campaign |
| Jeff King | TE | Arizona Cardinals | Virginia Tech | career might be over after undergoing knee surgery |
| Julius Peppers | RDE | Chicago Bears | North Carolina | six-time Pro Bowler had 15 tackles and one sack in 12th season (ranks fourth among active players in sacks) |
| Joe Reitz | OG | Indianapolis Colts | Western Michigan | started one of first seven games in 2013 |
| Julius Thomas | TE | Denver Broncos | Portland State | third-year pro has emerged as a game-changer, catching 39 passes for 451 yards and eight touchdowns |
| Melenik Watson | OT | Oakland Raiders | Marist | rookie seeking more playing time |
| Kendall Wright | WR | Tennessee Titans | Baylor | second-year pro had 40 pass receptions for 433 yards and one touchdown |