BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — With the 2021 NFL season only a few weeks away, there are eleven former Hilltoppers on NFL rosters. Here is how the former WKU players did this past weekend in Week 1 of preseason action:
Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jordan Meredith was signed as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Draft. In his preseason debut against the Los Angeles Chargers, Meredith saw 26 offensive snaps and was the highest-graded offensive player for the Rams at 78.5 (according to Pro Football Focus). Among all NFL guards this past week, Meredith ranked 15th with a 78.5 overall grade, 10th with an 85.1 pass-blocking grade and 17th overall with a 72.7 run-blocking grade. The Bowling Green native did not give up a single sack, hit, hurry or pressure.
Kansas City Chiefs safety Devon Key was signed as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Draft. After posting a strong performance in the team's training camp, he found himself second on the depth chart for strong safeties as he is fighting for a roster spot this season. In his preseason debut against the San Francisco 49ers, Key posted two solo tackles in 33 total snaps – 28 on defense and five on special teams.
Former Hilltopper cornerback Dionté Ruffin, was signed by the Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL Draft. In his preseason debut against the Miami Dolphins, Ruffin recorded one tackle and recovered a fumble in 20 total snaps – 17 on defense and three on special teams. Unfortunately, Ruffin was released by the Bears on Monday morning and he will look to join another franchise in the coming weeks.
New York Jets offensive tackle George Fant enters his sixth NFL season and his second in the Meadowlands. Throughout the offseason and training camp, Fant has been competing for the starting right tackle position with Morgan Moses. The Bowling Green native played 14 total snaps in the first preseason game against the New York Giants.
Jets quarterback Mike White – listed second on the depth chart behind first-round draft pick Zach Wilson – saw the majority of the action against the New York Giants. He led five possessions in the second and third quarters, completing 13-of-19 passes (68%) for 127 yards and a quarterback rating of 87.0. An 11-play, 68-yard touchdown drive in the third quarter ended up being the difference in a 12-7 Jets' win.
Chicago Bears linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe – entering his fourth season in the NFL – sits second on the depth chart behind inside linebacker Roquan Smith. In the preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, Iyiegbuniwe recorded two tackles in 33 total snaps – 27 on defense and six on special teams. In the Bowling Green native's first three years, he has 25 total tackles in 47 career games.
Houston Texans wide receiver Taywan Taylor enters his fifth season in the NFL but first with a new team. He joins longtime NFL coach Romeo Crennel – who is serving as senior advisor for football performance – with the Houston franchise. Taylor did not catch a pass in the opening preseason game against the Green Bay Packers, but played 20 total snaps – 16 on offense and four on special teams.
Former WKU tight end Deon Yelder signed with the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Yelder played three seasons – and won a Super Bowl – with the Kansas City Chiefs from 2018-20, but was released at the beginning of the offseason. He was signed by the Washington Football Team on May 5 and then subsequently released on June 27. This will be Yelder's fourth NFL campaign.
Although their teams were in action this past weekend in Week 1 of the preseason schedule, former Hilltoppers Jack Doyle (Indianapolis Colts), Tyler Higbee (Rams) and Forrest Lamp (Buffalo Bills) did not play.
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