Mountaineers Making Their Mark In NFL In Week 1 Recap

The strength of Appalachian State’s football program extends far beyond the mountains of North Carolina, with an impressive 10 former Mountaineers currently occupying spots on NFL rosters. This big representation underscores the program’s ability to develop talent that translates seamlessly to professional football’s highest level.

Leading the charge is Atlanta Falcons center Ryan Neuzil, whose Week 1 performance exemplified the reliability and technique that made him a cornerstone of App State’s offensive line. Neuzil’s durability shone through as he anchored the Falcons’ protection scheme for every single offensive play.

Current NFL Mountaineers Roster

Active Players:

• Akeem Davis-Gaither – Arizona Cardinals (LB)
• Nick Hampton – Los Angeles Rams (OLB)
• D’Marco Jackson – Chicago Bears (LB)
• Kendall Lamm – Miami Dolphins (OL)
• Sam Martin – Carolina Panthers (P)
• Ryan Neuzil – Atlanta Falcons (OL)

Practice Squad:

• Shemar Jean-Charles – Seattle Seahawks (CB)
• Ahmani Marshall – Cleveland Browns (RB)

Injured Reserve:

• Cooper Hodges – Jacksonville Jaguars (OL)
• Jalen McLeod – Jacksonville Jaguars (LB)

Week 1 Standout Performances

Ryan Neuzil – Atlanta Falcons (Center) The former Mountaineer delivered a masterclass in pass protection, surrendering just two pressures across 51 pass-blocking attempts according to Pro Football Focus analytics. His ironman performance, playing every offensive snap in Atlanta’s narrow 23-20 defeat to Tampa Bay, showed the durability and consistency that NFL teams covet in their offensive line anchors.

Akeem Davis-Gaither – Arizona Cardinals (Linebacker) Making an immediate impression in his Cardinals debut, Davis-Gaither showed his versatility by contributing across multiple phases. His seven-tackle performance included quality work on special teams, where he logged 70% of snaps while adding a pass breakup against New Orleans receiver Juwan Johnson. His 37% defensive snap count suggests growing trust from the coaching staff.

Sam Martin – Carolina Panthers (Punter) The veteran specialist made his Panthers debut count, showing the precision that has defined his NFL career. Both of his punts landed inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, with his longest boot traveling 56 yards. Martin’s reliability extended to holding duties, where he handled both a field goal and extra point attempt flawlessly, though his onside kick attempt in the loss to Jacksonville was unsuccessful.

Nick Hampton – Los Angeles Rams (Outside Linebacker) Contributing primarily on special teams, Hampton recorded an assisted tackle while playing 65% of special teams snaps in the Rams’ defensive struggle against Houston. His 14-9 victory highlighted his value as a core special teams contributor.

D’Marco Jackson – Chicago Bears (Linebacker) The Monday Night Football stage provided the backdrop for Jackson’s NFL debut, where he played 72% of special teams snaps in Chicago’s thrilling 27-24 loss to Minnesota. His presence on special teams units demonstrates his immediate value to the Bears’ coverage schemes.

Players Awaiting Their Opportunities

Kendall Lamm remained inactive for Miami’s season opener against Indianapolis, though his veteran presence provides valuable offensive line depth for the Dolphins.

Shemar Jean-Charles earned a practice squad spot with Seattle after being re-signed in late August, positioning himself for potential elevation throughout the season.

Ahmani Marshall secured his place on Cleveland’s practice squad as an undrafted free agent, keeping his NFL dreams alive through the developmental pathway.

Injury Updates

Cooper Hodges continues his recovery on Jacksonville’s injured reserve list, working back from a knee injury sustained last season that has delayed his NFL debut.

Jalen McLeod, the three-year App State contributor, is progressing through his rehabilitation from a lower-body injury suffered during August practices. His placement on injured reserve includes eligibility to return later in the season, providing hope for his 2024 contributions.

This impressive NFL representation speaks volumes about Appalachian State’s player development and the program’s continued evolution as a legitimate pipeline to professional football.