
Nittany Lions Shine in NFL Week 1
The 2026 NFL season kicked off with excitement for Penn State fans as several former Nittany Lions made significant impacts in their respective games during Week 1.
A total of 47 former Penn State players are currently active across 25 NFL rosters, marking the school as having the 10th-most active players among FBS institutions. Notably, Parker Washington scored a touchdown for the Jaguars in their 34-10 victory over the Browns, finishing with five catches for 83 yards.
Mike Gesicki led the Bengals in receiving yards with 78 and caught the only touchdown in their 33-27 win against the Buccaneers. Jaquan Brisker, now with the Steelers, recorded six tackles and an interception in a 20-13 win over the Falcons, while teammate Pat Freiermuth added a touchdown to his five receptions. Other Nittany Lions, including Brenton Strange and Tyler Warren, also found the end zone in their games, contributing to a strong start for Penn State alumni in the NFL.
