University of Northern Iowa Athletics

Panthers In The NFL: Week 15
12/20/2017 1:28:00 PM | Football
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Week 15 of the NFL regular season is in the books, so now it's time to recap how former Northern Iowa Panthers performed in last week's games.
UNI currently has six former Panthers in the NFL, with the most recent signing of LJ Fort to the Pittsburgh Steelers' 53-man roster. Below is a full rundown of UNI's current players in the NFL and how they did in week 15.
DAVID JOHNSON (UNI - 2011-14)
Week 16 Schedule: Giants at Cardinals (Sunday, 3:25 p.m. CT)
The former Panther running back finished his first game of the season with 23 yards on 11 carries, before suffering an injury. Reports say David Johnson will be out at least three months after undergoing wrist surgery and will be placed on injured reserve.
DEIONDRE HALL (UNI - 2012-15)
Week 16 Schedule: Browns at Bears (Sunday, 12:00 p.m. CT)
Deiondre Hall did not record any stats in his third game back from the IR. The Bears lost to the Lions on the road, 20-10.
AUSTIN HOWARD (UNI - 2006-09)
Week 16 Schedule: Colts at Ravens (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. CT)
Austin Howard earned his 14th-straight game for Baltimore at offensive tackle, as the Ravens handled the Browns, 27-10.
XAVIER WILLIAMS (UNI - 2011-14)
Week 16 Schedule: Giants at Cardinals (Sunday, 3:25 p.m. CT)
Former Panther Xavier Williams did not record a tackle for Arizona last time out, as the Cardinals lost to the Redskins, 20-15. Williams has earned a career-high 20 tackles this season.
LJ FORT (UNI - 2008-11)
Week 16 Schedule: Steelers at Texans (Monday, 3:30 p.m. CT)
LJ Fort recorded two tackles for the Steelers, but Pittsburgh could not overcome the Patriots at home, 27-24. Fort has earned nine tackles this season in 13 games.
TERRELL SINKFIELD (UNI - 2009-12)
Week 16 Schedule: Chargers at Jets (Sunday, 12:00 p.m. CT)
Before the start of the 2017 regular season, former Panther Terrell Sinkfield was signed to the New York Jets practice squad as a cornerback. Sinkfield began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins in 2013. Since then, Sinkfield has spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and BC Lions.
UNI NFL DRAFT HISTORY
1966 - Randy Schultz, RB | Cleveland Browns | 5th round, 74th pick
1966 - Doug Korver, OL | Atlanta Falcons | 18th round, 261st pick
1968 - Ray Pedersen, OL/DL | Baltimore Colts | 17th round, 458th pick
1976 - Bill Salmon, QB | Minnesota Vikings | 10th round, 289th pick
1976 - Mike Timmermans, OL | Green Bay Packers | 17th round, 440th pick
1982 - Steve Sandon, QB | New England Patriots | 11th round, 296th pick
1990 - Bryce Paup, LB | Green Bay Packers | 6th round, 159th pick
1991 - James Jones, DL | Cleveland Browns | 3rd round, 57th pick
1993 - Kenny Shedd, WR | New York Jets | 5th round, 129th pick
1997 - Dedric Ward, WR | New York Jets | 3rd round, 88th pick
1999 - Ty Talton, DB | Detroit Lions | 5th round, 137th pick
2000 - Brad Meester, OL | Jacksonville Jaguars | 2nd round, 60th pick
2001 - Eddie Berlin, WR | Tennessee Titans | 5th round, 159th pick
2002 - Ryan Hannam, TE | Seattle Seahawks | 5th round, 169th pick
2008 - Chad Rinehart, OL | Washington Redskins | 3rd round, 96th pick
2008 - Brandon Keith, OL | Arizona Cardinals | 7th round, 225th pick
2015 – David Johnson, RB |Arizona Cardinals | 3rd round, 86th pick
2016 – Deiondre' Hall, DB | Chicago Bears | 4th round, 127th pick
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the UNI football program, follow the Panthers on Twitter at "@UNIFootball" and on Facebook at "UNI Panther Football."
Todd Stepsis Press Conference - Nov. 3, 2025
Monday, November 03
PST: Todd Stepsis - Oct. 31, 2025 (Part 1 of 3)
Friday, October 31
PST: Todd Stepsis - Oct. 31, 2025 (Part 3 of 3)
Friday, October 31
PST: Jack Kriebs (2025)
Friday, October 31


