UNI Panthers in the NFL

Entering the 2017 preseason, the University of Northern Iowa football squad has eight alumni suiting up in the National Football League. Included in that list are a pair of draft picks in David Johnson (3rd Round, 86th pick by Arizona in 2015 NFL Draft) and Deiondre' Hall (4th Round, 127th pick by Chicago in 2016 NFL Draft).

Here are UNI's current players in the NFL:

David Johnson is entering his third season with the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals third-round selection (86th overall) in the 2015 NFL Draft out of Northern Iowa, Johnson has played in all 32 games (21 starts) during his first two NFL seasons. He started all 16 games last season, becoming the first Cardinals RB to start 16 games in a season since Edgerrin James in 2007. Earned first-team All-Pro honors (AP, PFWA, Sporting News, Pro Football Focus) and was named to his first Pro Bowl after leading the NFL and establishing a new franchise single-season record with 2,118 scrimmage yards (1,239 rushing; 879 receiving) in 2016. Also led the NFL and set a franchise record with 20 TDs in 2016, including a franchise record 16 rushing TDs. Named the team MVP by the local PFWA chapter last season. In 21 career starts dating back to Week 13 of the 2015 season, he leads the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,776), rushing yards (1,681) and TDs (25).
Became one of just four players in NFL history with at least 1,200+ rushing yards and 800+ receiving yards in a season and just the seventh player since the 1970 merger to lead the NFL in both scrimmage yards and TDs in a season. In 2016, Johnson became the first player in NFL history to post 100+ scrimmage yards in each of the first 15 games of a season. His 15 games with 100+ scrimmage yards tied Barry Sanders (1997) for the most in NFL history in a single season. Has 33 TDs in his first 32 career games. Only three players in NFL history had more TDs in their first two seasons and only six players in league history had more TDs in their first 32 career games. In addition to setting a franchise record for TDs (20) in 2016, he also set a franchise rookie record with 13 TDs in 2015. His 11 multi-TD performances are tied for the most in NFL history in a player's first two seasons. His eight multi-TD performances in 2016 tied for third-most in NFL history in a single season. Is the only player in Cardinals history with 100+ rushing yards and three or more rushing TDs in a games multiple times in their career. Became the first player since Adrian Peterson (two such games as a rookie in 2007) to accomplish the feat in their first two NFL seasons. Led all NFL running backs in receptions (80) and receiving yards (879) in 2016.

Deiondre Hall is entering his second season with the Chicago Bears in 2017. Hall played in eight games as a rookie in the 2016 season. He totaled nine tackles, including seven solo stops. He posted his first NFL interception in a week four win over the Detroit Lions.

Austin Howard is beginning his eighth year in the NFL. Howard has played for the Philadelphia Eagles (2010), New York Jets (2011-2013), the Oakland Raiders (2014-2016) and the Baltimore Ravens (2017-present). Howard has made 72 starts and has seen action in 76 NFL games in his career.

L.J. Fort is entering his fourth season in the National Football League. He played in 14 games last season for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fort recorded four tackles for the Steelers in the 2016 season.
2016 (14-0/2-0): Signed on November 15, 2016…released on November 12, 2016…recorded two special teams tackles (one, 9/18 vs. Cincinnati and 10/9 vs. N.Y Jets)…inactive 11/6 at Baltimore.
2015 (0-0/1-0) (PIT): Did not appear in a regular-season game…made his postseason debut in the AFC Divisional Game at Denver…inactive 1/3 at Cleveland during the regular season, and he was inactive in the postseason 1/9 at Cincinnati…signed to the team's active roster from the practice squad on December 28, 2015.
2014 (1-0) (SEA/CIN): Saw action in one regular-season game for the Seahawks (11/2 vs. Oakland)…also spent time on the Seahawks' practice squad and Bengals' practice squad.
2013 (0-0/0-0): Was not on an NFL roster.
2012 (16-1) (CLE): Saw action in all 16 games with one start…totaled eight tackles, one sack and one interception…added five special teams tackles (one, 9/9 vs. Philadelphia, 10/7 at N.Y. Giants, 10/28 vs. San Diego, 11/4 vs. Baltimore, 11/25 vs. Pittsburgh, 12/9 vs. Kansas City and 12/30 at Pittsburgh).
9/9 vs. Philadelphia: Started in his first career NFL contest…recorded his first career sack for minus-one yard…added his first career interception and returned it 10 yards…recorded a career-best two pass breakups.
10/7 at N.Y. Giants: Totaled a career-high nine tackles.

Xavier Williams signed with the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent following the 2015 NFL Draft. He has played in 12 games (one start) in his first two seasons.
2016: Appeared in eight games with one start and collected 11 tackles, one for loss, two QB hits and two QB pressures … inactive six of the first eight games … recorded a career-best three tackles @ SF (10/6) … totaled two tackles, including one for loss vs. SF (11/13) … made first career start and had two tackles @ Min (11/20) … recorded two solo tackles @ Mia (12/11) … inactive the next two games … collected one solo tackle @ LAR (1/1/17).
2015: After making the team as a rookie free agent, appeared in four games and had four tackles and one QB pressure … inactive in the first nine games and last three games of the season … made NFL debut and had his first career tackle vs. Cin (11/22) ... recorded one solo tackle and a QB pressure @ SF (11/29) … inactive in Divisional Playoff vs. GB (1/16/16) and NFC Championship Game @ Car (1/24/16).

Karter Schult signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft.

Aaron Bailey signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent following the 2017 NFL Draft.

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