The 2022 NFL season is fast approaching, and both players and coaches are beginning their preseason training in preparation for the grueling campaign ahead. There are almost 1,700 active players on the rosters of the 32 franchises, and Arizonians will be keeping a keen eye on at least ten of them. Why? Because they represented the Arizona Wildcats before turning professional.
Of the ten former Wildcats in the NFL, nobody has enjoyed more game time than Nick Folk. The now 37-year-old is a placekicker for the New England Patriots, who are one of the favorites for Super Bowl glory with the best sports betting sites. Folk played for the Wildcats until 2007, when the Dallas Cowboys drafted him in the sixth round. He has gone on to play 64 games for the Cowboys, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and now the New England Patriots.
J.J. Taylor – New England Patriots
J.J. Taylor is another former Wildcat who plays for the New England Patriots. Taylor turned out for the University of Arizona between 2016 and 2019, where he gained a reputation as a fearless running back and return specialist. In his four seasons with the Wildcats, Taylor had 587 rushing attempts for 3,263 yards, which resulted in 18 touchdowns.
Surprisingly, Taylor went undrafted in the 2020 NFL draft, but the Patriots snapped him up. The Patriots initially placed Taylor in the practice squad but promoted him to the active roster in September 2020.
Taylor is hopeful of more game time this season so he can add to the 11 games he has played so far. Those 11 games have seen Taylor make 147 yards and two touchdowns from 42 attempts. Rhamondre Stevenson is the Patriots’ go-to player on the ground, but Taylor is pushing him hard for time on the field.
Dane Cruikshank – Chicago Bears
Dane Cruikshank played for Citrus College in 2013 and 2014 before becoming an Arizona Wildcat for the 2015, 2016, and 2017 seasons. The man from Chino Hill, California, was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft, which was the 152nd overall pick. The Titans tied the safety to a four-year deal worth $2,747,892 with $287,892 in guarantees.
Cruikshank did not have long to wait for his debut because he was a regular starter for the Titan in 2018. He scored his first NFL touchdown against the Houston Texans on September 16, 2018, after a 66-yard reception on a fake punt. Cruikshank finished his rookie season with 11 tackles, 39 return yards, 66 receiving yards, and a touchdown.
Cruikshank was out of contact at the end of the 2021 season and decided to leave the Titans as an unrestricted free agent. He will turn out for the Chicago Bears in 2022 after the Bears made him their tenth unrestricted free agent signing since March 16.
Roy Lopez – Tennessee Titans
Roy Lopez is a defensive tackle who plies his trade with the Tennessee Titans. Standing at 6ft 2in and tipping the scales at 318 pounds, Lopez is a giant of a man, one renowned for his tough tackling.
The Titans drafted Lopez 195th overall, in the sixth round, of the 2021 NFL draft. Being so far down the draft meant it was surprising to see Lopez feature so often for the Titans. He played in 16 regular season games and made an impressive 31 tackles, one sack, and one fumble return. That sack came against the Miami Dolphins when he clattered Jacoby Brissett.