WKU Hilltoppers in the NFL

The NFL Preseason is well underway, as the second week of games just completed. Let's take a look at the production of ten former Hilltoppers looking to maintain and/or secure their spot on an NFL roster. Stay tuned week-to-week for continual updates of the Hilltoppers in the NFL.

Darrell Williams finds himself as the backup Right Guard on the depth chart for the Baltimore Ravens, behind veteran starter Marshal Yanda. Williams has fared well in Baltimore, after stints with the 49ers and Rams.

The Ravens defeated the Green Bay Packers this week, 26-13.

Joel Iyiegbuniwe finds himself in a backup role as well. Iggy sits behind the eighth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Roquan Smith. Along with Smith, Iyiegbuniwe is apart of a very competitive inside linebacker group, including Danny Trevathan and Nick Kwiatkoski. Iyiegbuniwe is expected to renew his "gunner" role on special teams also.

In the Bears 32-13 loss this week to the New York Giants, Iyiegbuniwe recorded 5 solo tackles and 2 assisted tackles.

The former Hilltopper tight end Mik'Quan Deane has an uphill battle if he hopes to make the Browns 53-man roster. Cleveland is Deane's third team following prior stints with the Seahawks and Bills. Deane finds himself at sixth on the depth chart among seven tight ends. The former Hilltopper has yet to see any on-field action this preseason and an illness kept him out of practice on Tuesday (8/20), per Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

This week the Browns defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 21-18.

Mike White hopes to win the backup QB spot behind Dak Prescott this preseason, but he has to outperform Cooper Rush to do so. The former WKU QB, now in his second season as a Cowboy, has seen ample playing time this preseason, but currently finds himself as a 3rd stringer on the depth chart.

In the Cowboys 14-10 victory over the LA Rams this week, White was 7 of 13 for 30 yards.

One of the more established Hilltoppers in the NFL, is tight end Jack Doyle. Doyle has been a starter for the Colts since 2016, and will continue to find himself in that role, in a two-tight end scheme alongside Eric Ebron. Doyle was also selected to be apart of the 2018 Pro Bowl, which made him the first Hilltopper to have ever been selected.

In the Colts 21-18 loss to the Browns this week, Doyle had one catch for 19 yards.

Yelder is fastly ascending through the NFL. He finds himself in the backup tight end spot for the Chiefs, behind Pro Bowler Travis Kelce. Yelder worked his way onto the Chiefs practice squad last season, after a short stay with the New Orleans Saints. The former Hilltopper played special teams as well for the Chiefs in 2018, but looks to see his role expand this season in Kansas City.

In the Chiefs 17-7 loss this week to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Yelder had 2 catches for 31 yards.

Forrest Lamp has yet to make his mark on the NFL, as knee injuries have plagued him early in his career. A torn ACL kept Lamp off the field in his rookie season in 2017. A second procedure in 2018 only allowed Lamp to play in two games, and he was a healthy scratch for most of the season. Now in 2019, Lamp finds himself slated to be the backup right guard, behind starter Michael Schofield III.

The Chargers lost to the Saints 19-17, this past week.

Higbee is the starting tight end for the LA Rams. This is a spot that Higbee has held for the last two seasons. Continuously, Higbee has held off backup, Gerald Everett, in his attempts to take the starting job. Higbee will continue to be an integral part of the Rams high powered offense.

The Rams lost this past week to the Cowboys, 14-10. Higbee, like most starters in the NFL preseason, sat out this game.

The former Hilltopper has found his niche as a regular on the Seahawks offensive line. Fant has made the transition from basketball to football quite seamlessly. Fant finds himself as the backup at left tackle, behind four-time Pro Bowler, Duane Brown. Fant will continue to be in a hybrid role as a left tackle/tight end as well in various packages.

This past week the Seahawks lost to the Minnesota Vikings, 25-19.

Taywan Taylor is in a battle for consistent playing time with the Titans. Taylor is currently penciled in at WR2, opposite standout Corey Davis. The newly acquired Adam Humphries "slots" in at the slot receiver position. Taylor looks to hold off a contingency of talented wide-outs vying for his starting spot including: Tajae Sharpe and rookie AJ Brown. Look for Taywan to string together more consistent numbers this season, including several splash plays.

The Titans fell to the New England Patriots last week, 22-17. In that loss, Taylor tallied 27 yards on 2 catches.