North Carolina State University Athletics
18 Former Pack Players on NFL Rosters
9/6/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
A total of 18 former NCState players appear on the opening day rosters of various NFL squads, with the 53-man rosters announced on September 2. Head Coach Chuck Amato has recruited 14 of those players, and all but two of the former NC State players in the NFL have played under Amato at NC State. Here is a brief recap on each current NFL player:
Jerricho Cotchery, NY Jets - Enters his third season with the Jets, finished with 19 catches a season ago and is in the running for a starting spot this season.
Dovonte Edwards, Minnesota Vikings - Begins his second season in Minnesota after signing as a rookie free agent last year. He returned an interception for a touchdown last season, and is fighting for the nickel back job.
Terrence Holt, Detroit Lions - Enters his fourth season with the Lions, last year was his first as a starting safety.
Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams - Begins his eight season with the Rams. He finished with 102 catches for 1,331 yards and nine touchdowns in making his fifth Pro Bow last yearl.
Oliver Hoyte, Dallas Cowboys - Continues the Pack’s success of having rookie free agents make NFL teams, he will look for playing time at middle linebacker and on special teams.
Marcus Hudson, San Francisco 49ers - A 2006 sixth round draft pick, is fighting for time in the secondary and on special teams.
Scott Kooistra, Cincinnati Bengals - Enters his fourth NFLseason, all with Cincinnati.
Manny Lawson, San Francisco 49ers - The No. 22 overall pick in the draft, is slated to start the season at outside linebacker.
Sean Locklear, Seattle Seahawks - Enters his third season in Seattle, he was the Seahawks’ starting right tackle in the Super Bowl loss to Pittsburgh.
John McCargo, Buffalo Bills - The No. 26 overall pick in the draft, is competing for time as a defensive tackle.
Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers - Enters his third NFLseason, and his first as the starting quarterback in San Diego.
Pat Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars - Begins his second season in Jacksonville, he played in nine games as a rookie. Is competing for a starting spot at outside linebacker.
Stephen Tulloch, Tennessee Titans - A 2006 fourth round draft pick, is competing for the starting middle linebacker spot.
Alvis Whitted, Oakland Raiders - Enters his fourth season with Oakland, and his eight NFLseason overall. One of the NFL’s top return men, set a new career-high last year with 14 catches.
Brian Williams, Jacksonville Jaguars - Begins his first season in Jacksonville, after spending his first four season with Minnesota. Slated to start at right corner after coming to the Jaguars as a free agent.
Mario Williams, Houston Texans - The overall No. 1 pick in the 2006 NFLDraft, is slated to start the season as a starter at defensive end.
T.J. Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - A 2006 sixth round draft pick, tore his ACL and will miss the upcoming season.
Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals - Entering his sixth season with Arizona. He led the team with 112 tackles last season, and set a new NFL record for most sacks by a DB with eight.
* Former wide receiver Brian Clark has signed on with the Denver Broncos practice squad, after attending Broncos training camp as a rookie free agent.
| Player | Current NFL Team | Years at NC State |
| Jerricho Cotchery | NY Jets | 2000-03 |
| Dovonte Edwards | Minnesota Vikings | 2001-04 |
| Terrence Holt | Detroit Lions | 1999-02 |
| Torry Holt | St. Louis Rams | 1995-98 |
| Oliver Hoyte | Dallas Cowboys | 2002-05 |
| Marcus Hudson | San Francisco 49ers | 2001-02, 04-05 |
| Scott Kooistra | Cincinnati Bengals | 1999-02 |
| Manny Lawson | San Francisco 49ers | 2002-05 |
| Sean Locklear | Seattle Seahawks | 2000-03 |
| John McCargo | Buffalo Bills | 2003-05 |
| Philip Rivers | San Diego Chargers | 2000-03 |
| Pat Thomas | Jacksonville Jaguars | 2001-04 |
| Stephen Tulloch | Tennessee Titans | 2003-05 |
| Alvis Whitted | Oakland Raiders | 1994-97 |
| Brian Williams | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1998-01 |
| Mario Williams | Houston Texans | 2003-05 |
| T.J. Williams | Tampa Bay Bucaneers | 2002-05 |
| Adrian Wilson | Arizona Cardinals | 1998-00 |
