LSU Rookies Make Their Debuts in the NFL This Sunday
By Scotty Nola
As the start of the 2015 NFL regular season gets into full swing this Sunday, several former LSU Tiger football players will be making their NFL rookie debuts.
As you probably are aware, the 2015 NFL Draft was a little quieter for LSU than most fans are used to. Fewer players left early, which of course is a good sign for the current 2015 LSU Football season about to begin tomorrow in Starkville against Mississippi State.
There was a group of Tigers drafted, of course, and more invited to camps. We have been following them throughout the process and now with the NFL’s opening week here we can see who landed where, including those who will start for the first time — as well as those who are still looking to make a NFL roster after being cut.
And we start with….
La’el Collins, Dallas Cowboys
Did I say the draft was quiet? Maybe not the best choice of words. La’el Collins ended up not being drafted at all, but his situation certainly made a lot of noise.
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Once that all blew over he signed a free agent deal with the Cowboys, who had the best offensive line in the NFL last year.
Some were confused by the choice, but Dallas RT Doug Free isn’t getting any younger and RG Ron Leary is a little less talented than Collins and a soon to be free agent. So this made sense from both sides.
Collins wasn’t able to win one of the starting jobs, which isn’t entirely surprising considering just how good the Cowboys line is. Dallas News doesn’t see this as a problem, they expect Collins to develop into a starter and feel he is just having to earn his way into that top shelf group.
Danny Phantom from Blogging the Boys had high praise for Collins coming out of preseason, noting that he gave up only one sack in 94 snaps and looked dominant at times in run blocking.
Jalen Collins, Atlanta Falcons
Aug 14, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons cornerback Jalen Collins (32) breaks up a pass over Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter (15) during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Jalen Collins had a lot of question marks going in. He missed time with a foot injury and there were questions about whether he played up to the level of his talent at times while at LSU.
New Falcons Head Coach Dan Quinn (former Defensive Coordinator of the “Legion of Boom” Seahawks) has no more questions. He expects Collins to play and contribute early:
Dan Quinn: Early on we're really counting on 4 rookies. Vic Beasley, T Coleman, Grady Jarrett and Jalen Collins. We expect them to produce.
— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) September 8, 2015
Quinn is still high on his CB prospect but ProFootballFocus points out that Collins has had some rough outings in the preseason. This isn’t unusual for a corner making the adjustment to the pros, but it does show that Jalen Collins still has a ways to go to prove his doubters wrong.
Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings
Aug 9, 2015; Canton, OH, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter (99) attempts to get past Pittsburgh Steelers tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) in the 2015 Hall of Fame game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
In Minnesota Danielle Hunter has always been a project for a team with an embarrassment of riches in the defensive front seven. He is also a project for a Head Coach with a great track record of developing pass rushing talent.
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Vikings Corner acknowledges Hunter is a project, while ESPN.com points out that at 20 years old Hunter is one of the youngest players in the entire league.
Hunter will start his career as a backup but with his talent he will have plenty of chances to play and try to bull his way into opposing teams backfields AND the Vikings starting lineup.
Kwon Alexander, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Aug 29, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers outside linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) is congratulated by Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Mike Jenkins (24) after he made a tackle against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kwon Alexander has been getting a lot of attention since he joined the Bucs for all the right reasons. Winning the starting MLB job and getting picked to make all the defenses calls on the field will do that for you. So will game tape of you destroying the other teams quarterback.
Plays like that get people talking. Peter Schrager of Fox Sports is touting Kwon Alexander as his early pick for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Cover32 has a feature on Kwon Alexander up on their site.
The Undrafted Tigers
Sep 3, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Terrence Magee (30) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in the fourth quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Ravens defeated the Falcons 20-19. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Kenny Hilliard briefly looked like the star of HBO’s Hard Knocks. He wasn’t able to seal the deal on a Texans team that had an opening at RB after star Arian Foster went down to injury. He isn’t done yet though, the Texans signed him to their practice squad and he may get another chance to shine.
Terrence Magee will play in games that count starting this weekend. Initially the Ravens planned to sign him to their practice squad but an injury opened a spot and he is getting a game check this week.
Like Terrence Magee former LSU safety Ronald Martin was told by his first NFL team he was being cut and would be added to the practice squad. That was before the Jets stepped up and signed him to their 53 man roster. Like Magee he is earning his first NFL game check this week.
Jermauria Rasco’s situation with the Packers is a little more complicated. He was cut with an injury designation. No team signed him off waivers and he has not taken an injury settlement. This means he can rehab with the Packers and try to make their roster again next season.
Connor Neighbors is in the same boat as Jermauria Rasco. He was waived injured by the Titans after suffering a broken forearm during camp. He is still listed on their roster on injured reserve though, which means he can try to come back next year and earn a spot.
Elliot Porter is the invisible man right now. He was signed by the Browns as a UDFA after the draft, but I can find no evidence he even participated in their training camp at all.
I also can’t find evidence they released him or listed him as injured. I can confirm he isn’t on their roster in any capacity, as an active player, practice squad member, or injured player.