DALLAS – From Super Bowl champions to All-Pro selections, Conference USA has consistently produced NFL-caliber talent across all positions and the league’s influence continues to be felt as the NFL embarks on its 2026 campaign next Wednesday, Sept. 9.
 
At least one former CUSA player is featured on 31 out of 32 rosters, including the Minnesota Vikings leading the way with five. The conference’s contingent totals 73 former players, including 49 on active rosters as of Sept. 1. The remaining 24 are on reserve lists or practice squads.
 
All the players listed competed at their respective schools while those institutions were members of CUSA. The years in parentheses represent the years they played in CUSA.
 
Arizona Cardinals
Starling Thomas V¹, CB, UAB (2018-22) – 2022 First-Team All-CUSA
 
Atlanta Falcons
DeAngelo Malone⁴, LB, WKU (2017-21) – 2x CUSA Defensive Player of the Year
Ethan Onianwa, OL, Rice (2021-22) – 2022 CUSA All-Freshman Team
 
Baltimore Ravens
Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall (2020-21) – 2021 First-Team All-CUSA
Trey Hendrickson, DE, FAU (2013-16) – 2016 CUSA DPOTY; 4x Pro Bowl
 
Buffalo Bills
Frank Gore Jr. ¹, RB, Southern Miss (2020-21) – 2020 Second-Team All-CUSA
 
Chicago Bears
Marcus Davenport¹, DE, UTSA (2014-17) – 2017 CUSA Defensive Player of the Year
Cairo Santos, K, Tulane (2010-13) – 2x First-Team All-CUSA
Xavier Woods, S, LA Tech (2013-16) – 3x First-Team All-CUSA
 
Cincinnati Bengals
Swayze Bozeman, LB, Southern Miss (2019-21) – 2019 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
 
Cleveland Browns
Malachi Corley, WR, WKU (2020-23) – 2x First-Team All-CUSA
Alex Wright², DE, UAB (2019-21) – 2021 Second-Team All-CUSA
 
Dallas Cowboys
Nick Leverett¹, OL, Rice (2019) – 2019 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
 
Denver Broncos
Sean Fresch Jr. ¹, CB, Rice (2020-22) – 2021 CUSA All-Freshman Team
Devon Key, S, WKU (2016-20) – 2020 Second-Team All-CUSA; 2025 First-Team All-Pro
 
Detroit Lions
Jack Fox, P, Rice (2015-18) – 2018 CUSA Special Teams POTY; 2024 First-Team All-Pro
Lucky Jackson¹, WR, WKU (2015-19) – 2019 First-Team All-CUSA
 
Green Bay Packers
Jonnu Smith, TE, FIU (2013-16) – 2014 First-Team All-CUSA; 2024 Pro Bowl
 
Houston Texans
Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, FAU (2015-18) – 2017 First-Team All-CUSA; 2025 Pro Bowl
Reed Blankenship, S, MTSU (2017-21) – 2021 First-Team All-CUSA; Super Bowl Champion (LIX)
Febechi Nwaiwu, OL, North Texas (2021-22) – 2022 CUSA All-Freshman Team
Keylan Rutledge, OL, MTSU (2022-23) – 2023 First Team All-CUSA
 
Indianapolis Colts
Seth McGowan, RB, NM State (2024) – 2024 Second Team All-CUSA
Dalton Tucker, OL, Marshall (2020-21)
Charvarius Ward, CB, MTSU (2016-17) – Super Bowl Champion (LIV); 2023 Pro Bowl
 
Jacksonville Jaguars
Parker Hughes², LB, MTSU (2022-25) – 2025 Second Team All-CUSA
Tim Jones¹, WR, Southern Miss (2017-20) – 2019 Second-Team All-CUSA
Nick Mullens¹, QB, Southern Miss (2013-16) – 2015 CUSA Offensive Player of the Year
Austin Trammell¹, WR, Rice (2017-20) – 2020 First Team All-CUSA
 
Kansas City Chiefs
Cyrus Allen, WR, LA Tech (2021-23) – 2023 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
Jimmy Holiday², WR, WKU (2023)/LA Tech (2024) – 2024 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
L’Jarius Sneed, CB, LA Tech (2016-19) – 2019 Second-Team All-CUSA; 2x Super Bowl Champion
 
Las Vegas Raiders
Spencer Burford, OL, UTSA (2018-21) – 2021 First-Team All-CUSA
Hezekiah Masses, CB, FIU (2022-24) – 2022 CUSA All-Freshman Team
Mike Washington Jr., RB, NM State (2024) – 2024 Second Team All-CUSA
 
Los Angeles Chargers
Travis Burke, OL, FIU (2023-24)
Tre Harris, WR, LA Tech (2020-22) – 2022 First-Team All-CUSA
Teair Tart, DT, FIU (2018-19)
 
Los Angeles Rams
CJ Daniels, WR, Liberty (2023) – 2023 Second Team All-CUSA
Tyler Higbee, TE, WKU (2014-15) – 2015 First-Team All-CUSA; Super Bowl Champion (LVI)
Eli Neal¹, LB, Marshall (2019-21) – 2x Honorable Mention All-CUSA
 
Miami Dolphins
Andrew Meyer, OL, UTEP (2018-23) – 2023 First-Team All-CUSA
Trey Moore², LB, UTSA (2021-22) – 2022 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
 
Minnesota Vikings
Da’Veawn Armstead¹, DB, Sam Houston (2023-24)
Kahlef Hailassie¹, S, WKU (2021-22) – 2022 Second-Team All-CUSA
Aaron Jones, RB, UTEP (2013-16) – 2016 First Team All-CUSA; 2020 Pro Bowl
James Pierre, CB, FAU (2017-19) – 2017 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
Jakobe Thomas, S, MTSU (2021-23)
 
New England Patriots
Kevin Byard, S, MTSU (2013-15) – 2x First-Team All-CUSA; 3x First-Team All-Pro
Milton Williams, DE, LA Tech (2017-20) – 2020 First-Team All-CUSA; Super Bowl Champion (LIX)
 
New Orleans Saints
Brock Rechsteiner⁵, Jax State (2023-25)
Quincy Riley, CB, MTSU (2019-21) – 2021 First-Team All-CUSA
Nick Saldiveri⁴, OL, Old Dominion (2018-21) – 2021 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
 
New York Giants
Roy Robertson-Harris², DE, UTEP (2011-15) – 2014 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
Devin Singletary, RB, FAU (2016-18) – 2017 CUSA MVP; 2026 CUSA Hall of Fame Inductee
 
New York Jets
Jordan Meredith, OL, WKU (2016-20) – 2020 Second-Team All-CUSA
 
Philadelphia Eagles
Eli Stowers, TE, NM State (2023) – 2023 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
Riq Woolen, CB, UTSA (2017-21) – 2021 Honorable Mention All-CUSA; Super Bowl Champion (LX)
 
Pittsburgh Steelers
Chris Boswell, K, Rice (2009-13) – 2x Second-Team All-CUSA; 2024 First-Team All-Pro
Alex Highsmith, LB, Charlotte (2016-19) – 2x First-Team All-CUSA
 
San Francisco 49ers
Jacob Cowing, WR, UTEP (2019-21) – 2021 First-Team All-CUSA
Sincere McCormick¹, RB, UTSA (2019-21) – 2x CUSA Offensive Player of the Year
Upton Stout, CB, WKU (2022-24)/North Texas (2020-21) – 2x First-Team All-CUSA
 
Seattle Seahawks
Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP (2020-23) – 2023 First-Team All-CUSA; Super Bowl Champion (LX)
Federico Maranges¹, OL, Florida Atlantic (2019-22)
 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DE, Southern Miss (2011-14) – 2014 First-Team All-CUSA; Super Bowl Champion
Dean Patterson¹, WR, FIU (2021-24) – 2x Second-Team All-CUSA
Eric Rivers¹, WR, FIU (2023-24) – 2024 First-Team All-CUSA
 
Tennessee Titans
Kylen Granson, TE, Rice (2016-17)
 
Washington Commanders
Ricky Barber, DL, WKU (2019-20) - 2020 Honorable Mention All-CUSA
Jaylin Lane, WR, MTSU (2020-22) – 2021 First-Team All-CUSA
Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice (2021-22)
Amik Robertson, CB, LA Tech (2017-19) – 2x First-Team All-CUSA
 
¹ – Practice Squad
² – Reserve/Injured
³ – Reserve/Non-Football Illness
⁴ – Reserve//Physically Unable to Perform
⁵ – Reserve/Suspended by Commissioner