PSU in NFL: Week 1 highlights from former Penn State players
We are through Week 1 of the NFL season and, boy, what a day it was to be a Penn State fan! There were plenty of former Nittany Lions that had impressive days in their first games of the 2022 NFL season.
Here are the top performances by former Penn State players from Week 1 of the NFL season.
Micah Parsons
Sep 11, 2022; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) runs to the line of scrimmage during a play in the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Stats: 5 total tackles and 2 sacks
[autotag]Micah Parsons[/autotag] continues to impress and improve on the field. Playing against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers, Parsons sacked the Hall of Fame quarterback twice throughout Sunday night’s game. Parsons is definitely an easy pick to win the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year award.
Saquon Barkley
Stats: 18 carries, 164 yards, and a touchdown
The Giants pulled off a thriller win over the Titans 21-20. On top of that, Barkley performed like the Barkley all Nittany Lions fans know. If he can stay healthy, there is no reason why he can’t be one of the elite running backs in the league this season.
Miles Sanders
Stats: 13 carries, 96 yards, and a touchdown
Sanders had a strong start to the NFL season. He has struggled to stay consistent throughout his NFL career, even when he is healthy. However, with second-year head coach Nick Siriani, the Eagles as a whole look strong and you could argue that they are a top 5 team in the league. If Sanders keeps this up, it is going to be a fun offense to watch in Philadelphia this season.
Chris Godwin
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 11: Anthony Barr #42 of the Dallas Cowboys tackles Chris Godwin #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at AT&T Stadium on September 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Stats: 3 receptions for 35 yards
Godwin didn’t do a ton this week. But he also suffered a hamstring injury during Sunday night’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. The good news is the injury is not as serious as the team thought. However, Godwin is still expected to miss multiple weeks with a hamstring injury, and he is also recovering from his ACL tear he suffered last season.
Pat Freiermuth
Stats: 5 catches for 75 yards
Freiermuth didn’t have a jaw-dropping game against the Bengals on Sunday. But, 5 catches for 75 yards isn’t a terrible stat line. Plus, the Steelers pulled off a victory over the 2021 AFC champs 23-20 under Mitch Trubisky.
Arnold Ebiketie
Stats: 1 solo tackle and a sack
Ebiketie didn’t have a jaw-dropping performance, but when you get your first career NFL sack, you deserve to be highlighted in this week’s “PSU in NFL” series of featured standouts of former Penn State players. The Falcons have limited defensive players to build around for their future. AJ Terrell comes to mind and now Ebiketie.
Jahan Dotson
Stats: 3 catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns
Dotson was the most exciting Penn State rookie from Week 1. As mentioned, he certainly has the talent to be a number one wide receiver, but he is going to thrive being a second option — and boy did he show it after the first week of the NFL season. Washington defeated the Jags 28-22 in a close one. On top of that, the other two former Ohio State receivers Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel both scored touchdowns for Washington on Sunday.
