Former Ohio State Buckeyes playing in the National Football League this season will number 37 when your peruse the 53-man opening day rosters. The 2011 NFL season gets under way tonight when the Green Bay Packers hosts New Orleans in a game that will feature four former Buckeyes: A.J. Hawk and Ryan Pickett will suit up for the defending Super Bowl champions and Malcolm Jenkins and Will Smith are members of the Saints.
The list of Buckeyes in the NFL includes seven players off the 2010 team: Chimdi Chekwa (Oakland), Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh), Jermale Hines (St. Louis Rams), Jake McQuaide (St. Louis), Terrelle Pryor (Oakland), Brian Rolle (Philadelphia) and Dane Sanzenbacher (Chicago Bears).
The list also includes three Buckeyes who have been in the league at least 11 years: Antoine Winfield, who is in his 13th NFL season and is with the Minnesota Vikings; Naโil Diggs, a 12-year vet now with San Diego; and Pickett, in his 11th season and playing with Green Bay.
Three Buckeyes have been signed to NFL teamโs practice squads as well, giving the Buckeyes an even 40 alumni currently with an NFL team. Justin Boren is with the Baltimore Ravensโ practice squad; Brandon Saine is with Green Bay; and Doug Worthington is with Washington.
The complete list of Buckeyes in the NFL is below:
Arizona Cardinals
ยง RB Beanie Wells โ3rd year
Baltimore Ravens
ยง OG Justin Boren โ Practice Squad
Carolina Panthers
ยง CB Chris Gamble โ 8th year
ยง TE Ben Hartsock โ 8th year
Chicago Bears
ยง WR Dane Sanzenbacher โ Rookie
Cincinnati Bengals
ยง DB Nate Clements โ 11th year
ยง K Mike Nugent โ 7th year
Cleveland Browns
ยง WR Brian Robiskie โ 3rd year
Detroit Lions
ยง LB Bobby Carpenter โ 6th year
ยง OG Rob Sims โ 6th year
Green Bay Packers
ยง LB A.J. Hawk โ 6th year
ยง DT Ryan Pickett โ 11th year
ยง RB Brandon Saine โ Practice Squad
Indianapolis Colts
ยง WR Anthony Gonzalez โ 5th year
Kansas City Chiefs
ยง DB Donald Washington โ 3rd year
Miami Dolphins
ยง WR Brian Hartline โ 3rd year
ยง LB Austin Spitler โ 2nd year
Minnesota Vikings
ยง WR Michael Jenkins โ 8th year
ยง DB Antoine Winfield โ 13th year
New Orleans Saints
ยง DB Malcolm Jenkins โ 3rd year
ยง DE Will Smith โ 8th year
New York Giants
ยง TE Jake Ballard โ 2nd year
New York Jets
ยง WR Santonio Holmes โ 6th year
ยง OC Nick Mangold โ 6th year
Oakland Raiders
ยง DB Chimdi Chekwa โ Rookie
ยง QB Terrelle Pryor โ Rookie
Philadelphia Eagles
ยง DB Kurt Coleman โ 2nd year
ยง LB Brian Rolle โ Rookie
Pittsburgh Steelers
ยง DB Will Allen โ 8th year
ยง DE Cam Heyward โ Rookie
San Diego Chargers
ยง LB Naโil Diggs โ 12th year
San Francisco 49ers
ยง OT Alex Boone โ 2nd year
ยง WR Ted Ginn โ 5th year
ยง LB Larry Grant โ 4th year
ยง S Donte Whitner โ 6th year
St. Louis Rams
ยง DB Jermale Hines โ Rookie
ยง LB James Laurinaitis โ 3rd year
ยง LS Jake McQuaide โ Rookie
Washington Redskins
ยง DE Darrion Scott โ 5th year
ยง DT Doug Worthington โ Practice Squad
