Fifteen Cyclones Active On NFL Rosters

AMES, Iowa - Fifteen former Cyclones have earned spots on active 53-man NFL rosters for the 2025-26 season, which is set to kick off this Thursday, Sept. 4. Iowa State's 15 active players are the third most in the Big 12, trailing just TCU (20) and Utah (17).

In total, 20 former Cyclones will be members of NFL organizations, with five currently on either the PUP (physically unable to perform) list or on a practice squad. Those 20 Cyclones will be a part of 12 NFL teams.

Malik Verdon – LB, #43, Atlanta Falcons (reserve/non-football injury)
A 2025 undrafted free agent, Verdon signed with the Falcons. As part of signing with Atlanta, Verdon looks to undergo a position change, as he's listed as a linebacker on the team's roster (after playing safety all of college).

Jake Hummel – LB, #35, Baltimore Ravens
After spending his first three NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, Hummel signed a contract with the Ravens in free agency. A 2022 undrafted free agent, Hummel has stuck in the NFL thanks to his work on special teams and now joins former teammates Charlie Kolar and T.J. Tampa.
Up Next: Sept. 7, at Buffalo (7:20 pm on NBC)

Charlie Kolar – TE, #88, Baltimore Ravens
A 2022 fourth-round pick, Charlie Kolar is entering his fourth season in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. With tight end Isaiah Likely set to miss time at the beginning of the season, Kolar will likely see his role expand with the team.
Up Next: Sept. 7, at Buffalo (7:20 pm on NBC)

T.J. Tampa – CB, #27, Baltimore Ravens
Tampa enters his second year in the league after being selected in the fourth round of the 2024 draft. He is slotted to back up one of the deepest starting cornerback trios in the NFL, with Jaire Alexander, Marlon Humphrey, and Nate Wiggins set to start.
Up Next: Sept. 7, at Buffalo (7:20 pm on NBC)

Enyi Uwazurike – DL, #96, Denver Broncos
An All-Big 12 First-Team member back in 2021, Uwazurike is set to enter year number four with the Broncos after being selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. Currently, Uwazurike is listed as the backup defensive end on a prominent defense.
Next Up: Sept. 7, vs. Tennessee (3:05 on FOX)

David Montgomery – RB, #5, Detroit Lions
One of the most consistent running backs in the NFL, David Montgomery is ready to enter year seven in the pros. No Cyclone has scored more NFL touchdowns than Montgomery with 57. Having accumulated over 1,000 yards from scrimmage in each of his first six seasons, Montgomery again seems primed to help a resurgent Lions team in its pursuit of a Lombardi Trophy.
Up Next: Sept. 7, at Green Bay (3:25 on CBS)

Jayden Higgins – WR, #81, Houston Texans
The fourth-highest draft pick in school history, Higgins is set to join an Iowa State-heavy receiver room in Houston. Higgins, who will team up with running mate Jaylin Noel, reportedly had a strong camp and should contribute early.
Next Up: Sept. 7, at LAR (3:25 pm on CBS)

Xavier Hutchinson – WR, #19, Houston Texans
Entering his third season in the NFL, Hutchinson is ready to take on a bigger role in the Texans' offense. He is one of just two Texans' receivers who were on the roster last season (Nico Collins being the other).
Next Up: Sept. 7, at LAR (3:25 pm on CBS)

Jaylin Noel – WR, #14 – Houston Texans
Completing the trio of Cyclone receivers is four-year standout Jaylin Noel. Noel played with both Hutchinson and Higgins in college and will now get to do so again in the pros. Iowa State is the only college in the country to have at least three receivers on a single active NFL team's roster.
Next Up: Sept. 7, at LAR (3:25 pm on CBS)

Ben Nikkel – DB, #34, Indianapolis Colts (practice squad)
After spending the 2024-25 season with the Washington Commanders on the practice squad, Nikkel signed with the Colts and will be on their practice squad in 2025-26. A UDFA in 2024, Nikkel has appeared in five preseason games.

Jalen Travis – OL, #75, Indianapolis Colts
A fourth-round pick in this past April's draft, Travis is set to embark on his rookie campaign with the Colts. Travis is expected to start the season as a backup tackle to Braden Smith, who missed the final five games of the 2024-25 season.
Up Next: Sept. 7, vs. Miami (12 pm on CBS)

Myles Purchase – DB, #35, Los Angeles Chargers (practice squad)
Purchase signed with the Chargers after going undrafted in the 2025 NFL draft. He would later be waived by the team but immediately resigned to the practice squad the following day. He is the only corner on the team's practice squad.

Darien Porter – DB, #26, Las Vegas Raiders
After beginning his collegiate career as a receiver, Porter made the switch to defensive back in 2022. Now, a third-round pick in the 2025 draft, Porter is set to see significant playing time as a rotation corner within the Raiders' defense.
Up Next: Sept. 7, at New England (12 pm on CBS)

Anthony Johnson Jr. – DB, #15, New York Giants (PUP)
Johnson Jr. is in his third season in the NFL and will begin the year on the physically unable to perform list. After spending his rookie year with the Packers in 2023, Johnson spent 2024 with the Giants.

Breece Hall – RB, #20, New York Jets
Hall looks to continue his ascent into the upper echelon of NFL running backs, as his first three seasons have been productive. He owns the top two single-game rushing efforts by a Cyclone in the NFL and looks to win over the new Jets' front office.
Up Next: Sept. 7, vs. Pittsburgh (12 pm on CBS)

Allen Lazard – WR, #10, New York Jets
Lazard, the most tenured Cyclone in the league, is set to embark on his seventh season in the NFL. 2025 marks the first season that Lazard will not be teammates with future Pro Football Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers.
Up Next: Sept. 7, vs. Pittsburgh (12 pm on CBS)

Will McDonald IV – EDGE, #9, New York Jets
McDonald enters 2025 coming off a personal best season last year that saw him rack up 10.5 sacks. He was one of just 17 players in the NFL to notch double-figure sacks, and he was tied for the 12th most.
Up Next: Sept. 7, vs. Pittsburgh (12 pm on CBS)

Kene Nwangwu – RB, #34, New York Jets
Nwangwu is back with the Jets and is ready for his second season in New York. Nwangwu, who was originally drafted by Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2021 draft, leads all active NFL players with four kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Up Next: Sept. 7, vs. Pittsburgh (12 pm on CBS)

J.R. Singleton – DL, #70, Seattle Seahawks (practice squad)
Singelton signed with Seattle after going undrafted in the 2025 draft. He was eventually waived on cutdown day but immediately resigned to the team's practice squad. He is one of four defensive linemen on the practice squad.

Brock Purdy – QB, #13, San Francisco 49ers
Not much introduction is required for Purdy, who signed a five-year, $265 million contract extension over the offseason. 2022's Mr. Irrelevant, Purdy, will look to lead the 49ers back on a deep postseason run as he's taken the team to an NFC Championship game (2022) and a Super Bowl (2023).
Up Next: Sept 7, at Seattle (3:05 pm on FOX)

Players Mentioned

Jayden Higgins

Jaylin Noel

Darien Porter

Myles Purchase

J.R. Singleton

Jalen Travis

Malik Verdon

Sponsors

Iowa State University Athletics