Players with Oregon ties make splash in NFL
The state of Oregon has made a splash in pro sports over the past 10-15 years. The NFL has been infiltrated by players from the state of Oregon whether they came from area high schools or from colleges such as Oregon State, University of Oregon, Portland State, or even Western University.
Oregon State University produced Stephen Jackson (St. Louis Rams), Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals), T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Seattle Seahawks), Derek Anderson (Cleveland Browns/Scappoose High), Matt Moore (Carolina Panthers), Nick Barnett (Green Bay Packers), Al Afalava (Chicago Bears), Victor Butler (Dallas Cowboys), Dwan Edwards (Baltimore Ravens), Kyle DeVan (Indianapolis Colts), Andy Levitre (Buffalo Bills), Sammy Stroughter (Tampa Bay Bucks), Keenan Lewis (Pittsburgh Steelers), and Sabby Piscitelli (Tampa Bay), Mike Hass (Seattle Seahawks).
University of Oregon alums graduating into pro sports include Jonathan Stewart (Carolina Panthers), Jarius Byrd (Buffalo Bills), Maurice Morris (Detroit Lions), Justin Peelle (Atlanta Falcons), Haloti Ngata (Baltimore Ravens), Igor Olshanskey (Dallas Cowboys), Geoff Schwartz (Carolina Panthers), Max Unger (Seattle Seahawks), Kellen Clemens (New York Jets), Nick Reed (Seattle Seahawks), Junior Siavii (Dallas Cowboys), Demetrius Williams (Baltimore Ravens), Dante Rasario (Carolina Panthers/Dayton High), Patrick Chung (New England Patriots), Dennis Dixon (Pittsburgh Steelers), Josh Bidwell (Tampa Bay), A.J. Feeley (Carolina Panthers). All are playing in the NFL this year.
A couple of Portland State University players are even in the NFL this year. Adam Hayward defends as a linebacker for Tampa Bay and Olaniyi Sobomehin runs as a fullback for New Orleans and is a Cleveland High School graduate.
Local high school football programs are represented as well: Troy Palamalu from Douglas High School in Douglas County, Jeff Charleston of Central High School, Paul McQuistan of Lebanon High School, David Vobora of Churchill high School in Eugene, and Quintin Mikell of Willamette High School in Eugene.
The state of Oregon has left a large footprint in pro football, and the future looks just as bright.
Information of Oregon players in the NFL was provided by oregonlive.com
and espn.com.
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