KALAMAZOO, Mich. – A total of nine former Western Michigan football players will start the 2020 season on NFL rosters, which includes six on a team's 53-man roster.
Of the nine former Broncos on an NFL roster, six earned a spot on the team's 53-man roster with two earning spots on the practice squad. One player was placed on the reserve/opt-out list prior to the 2020 season beginning.
The NFL season begins Thursday, Sept. 10 at 8:20 p.m. with week one continuing on Sunday, Sept. 13.
Carolina Panthers:
- Taylor Moton, Offensive Line, Fourth Season
- Begins his fourth season in Carolina
- Has started all 32 games over the last two seasons for Carolina
- Giovanni Ricci, Tight End, Rookie – *Practice Squad
- Earned one of 16 spots on the Panthers practice squad
- In his career at WMU, totaled 98 career receptions for 1,114 yards and 11 touchdowns
Cincinnati Bengals:
- Darius Phillips, Defensive Back, Third Season
- Enters his third season in Cincinnati
- Last season led the Bengals in INTs (4) and was tied for third on the team in pass deflections
Denver Broncos:
- LeVante Bellamy, Running Back, Rookie – *Practice Squad
- Earned one of 16 spots on the Broncos practice squad
- 2019 MAC Vern Smith Leadership Award recipient as the league's MVP and MAC Offensive Player of the Year
New York Giants:
- Sam Beal, Defensive Back, Third Season - ^Opting Out of 2020 season
- Decided to Opt-out of the 2020 NFL season
- Has registered 25 tackles in six career games
Philadelphia Eagles:
- Luke Juriga, Offensive Line, Rookie - *Practice Squad
- Received one of 16 spots on the Eagles practice squad
- Started all 52 career games as a Bronco and was an All-American selection in 2019 by Phil Steele
Pittsburgh Steelers:
- Chukwuma Okorafor, Offensive Line, Third Season
- Entering third season with the Steelers
- Has played in 14 career games, making four starts
- Robert Spillane, Linebacker, Second Season
- Saw action in eight games in 2019, primarily on special teams
- Recorded eight tackles last season with the Steelers
Tennessee Titans:
- Corey Davis, Wide Receiver, Fourth Season
- Entering his fourth season with the Titans
- In 2019 recorded 43 receptions for 601 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games
- In the 2019 playoffs Davis had 68 yards and a touchdown on six receptions