24 Oregon Ducks to begin the season on NFL rosters

The first day of September signifies the start of the school year, the beginning of fall, pumpkin spice everything, and, of course, football.

For hundreds of NFL hopefuls it also signifies either the realization of a lifelong dream to make an NFL roster, or the crushing defeat of being unemployed with limited other options thanks to the lack of a minor league system.

Today, 24 former Oregon Ducks are in the first camp, surviving the final round of roster cuts and getting set to begin the 2021 campaign on an NFL roster.

Of course, a lot can and will change as waivers are placed, practice squads are established, and the looming presence of Covid-19 potentially creates additional openings for currently unsigned players to find homes in short order.

Quarterback Justin Herbert will draw the most attention, but defensive end DeForest Buckner is among the best players in the league right now, and newcomer Penei Sewell has a chance to prove himself as an elite offensive lineman with the Detroit Lions as a rookie this year.

For now, here is a look at the 24 Ducks who are on rosters heading into the first weekend of the season:

(Edit: As practice squads get finalized, we will add any Oregon players to this sheet as well)

Ugo Amadi, FS, Seattle Seahawks

Nov 24, 2019; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Ugo Amadi (28) celebrates after downing a punt on the 1 yard line against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Arik Armstead, DE, San Francisco 49ers

Jan 19, 2020; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive end Arik Armstead (91) celebrates a sack against Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Brady Breeze, S, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans safety Brady Breeze (33) runs through receiver drills during a Mini-Camp practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park Tuesday, June 15, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.
Nas 0615 Titans 003

Pharaoh Brown, TE, Houston Texans

Jan 3, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans tight end Pharaoh Brown (85) makes a reception for a touchdown as Tennessee Titans linebacker David Long (51) defends during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

DeForest Buckner, DE, Indianapolis Colts

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 12: DeForest Buckner #99 of the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on November 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Troy Dye, LB, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings linebacker Troy Dye (45) celebrates after returning an interception 33-yards for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Royce Freeman, RB, Carolina Panthers

Nov 29, 2020; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos running back Royce Freeman (28) carries the ball in the third quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Hanson, C, Green Bay Packers

Aug 21, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers center Jake Hanson (67) during warmups prior to the game against the New York Jets at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

Dec 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) throws a pass against the Denver Broncos during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Troy Hill, CB, Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns cornerback Troy Hill participates in drills during an NFL football practice at the team's training facility, Thursday, June 17, 2021, in Berea, Ohio. [Jeff Lange / Akron Beacon Journal]

Jevon Holland, FS, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins DB Jevon Holland, right, catches the ball during OTA's at the training facility in Davie, Florida on May 26, 2021.

Justin Hollins, LB, Los Angeles Chargers

Nov 15, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) throws the ball while under pressure by Los Angeles Rams linebacker Justin Hollins (58) during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Jelks, DE, Washington Football Team

Jun 11, 2019; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jalen Jelks (74) runs a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star in Frisco. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Juwan Johnson, WR, New Orleans Saints

Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Juwan Johnson (83) warms up before their game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

Shane Lemieux, LG, New York Giants

Sep 3, 2020; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants guard Shane Lemieux (66) during the Blue-White Scrimmage at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Deommodore Lenoir, CB, San Francisco 49ers

May 14, 2021; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir (38) awaits the start of the next drill during minicamp at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Long, G, Kansas City Chiefs

Sep 23, 2019; Landover, MD, USA; Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long (75) stands on the field during the first half against the Washington Redskins at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Mariota, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

Dec 17, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs the ball against Los Angeles Chargers safety Jaylen Watkins (20) during overtime at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Terrance Mitchell, CB, Houston Texans

Aug 14, 2021; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon (28) is tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Terrance Mitchell (39) during a preseason football game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Wm Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY NETWORK

Henry Mondeaux, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers

Aug 29, 2019; Charlotte, NC, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Henry Mondeaux (72) is blocked by Carolina Panthers offensive guard Taylor Hearn (62) and center Parker Collins (76) in the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Mundt, TE, Los Angeles Rams

Oct 26, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams tight end Johnny Mundt (82) heads upfield during the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Jordon Scott, NT, Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings nose tackle Jordon Scott (66) participates in NFL training camp Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Eagan, Minn. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

Penei Sewell, RT, Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell runs a drill during NFL football practice in Allen Park, Mich., Thursday, June 3, 2021. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Calvin Throckmorton, LG, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Calvin Throckmorton (76) runs a drill during NFL football training camp in Metairie, La., Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)

Austin Faoliu, DT, Dallas Cowboys (Practice Squad)

Oregon defensive lineman Austin Faoliu lines up for a play during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Washington State in Pullman, Wash., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Young Kwak)

Hunter Kampmoyer, TE, Los Angeles Chargers (Practice Squad)

COSTA MESA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 06: Hunter Kampmoyer #47 of the Los Angeles Chargers makes a pass reception against Kemon Hall #37 of the Los Angeles Chargers during Los Angeles Chargers training camp at Jack Hammett Sports Complex on August 06, 2021 in Costa Mesa, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

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