SWAC Football Alums Make 2014 NFL Rosters
SWAC.org
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – At the conclusion of the 2014 NFL preseason, eight Southwestern Athletic Conference football alums had earned spots in professional organizations. Isaiah Crowell and Tavaris Jackson of Alabama State; Frank Kearse from Alabama A&M; Terron Armstead from Arkansas-Pine Bluff; and Grambling State’s Larry Donnell and Jason Hatcher played their way to NFL jobs across five different teams.
Jackson returns to the World Champion Seahawks for a third season, second consecutive. The 6-2, 222 quarterback appeared in just three games last year, but finished with a 140.1 rating. Entering his second year in the league, tight end Larry Donnell worked his way up from the practice squad to the New York Giants active roster. He appeared in 16 games in 2013 and earned one start.
Armstead, who is also entering his second season, remains with the New Orleans Saints as a left tackle. He earned a starting spot in week 16 last year and played in six games.
Crowell is the only rookies to make the cut. The 5-11, 225 running back joins the Cleveland Browns backfield after a stellar career at Alabama State.
The Washington Redskins hold both Hatcher and Kearse. This will be the defensive linemen’s second time playing together. Both spent the 2013 season with the Dallas Cowboys. Hatcher, a nine year veteran, signed with the Redskins as an unrestricted agent in March of this year and Kearse joined him in May.
Alabama A&M’s Robert Mathis and Alabama State’s Greg Jenkins are currently listed on reserve. Mathis is a 12-year veteran in the league, while Jenkins is entering his second season.
Below is a full list of the athletes and their respective organizations.
Cleveland Browns: Isaiah Crowell (Alabama State University)
Indianapolis Colts: Robert Mathis (Alabama A&M University)
New Orleans Saints: Terron Armstead (University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff)
New York Giants: Larry Donnell (Grambling State University)
Oakland Raiders: Greg Jenkins (Alabama State University)
Seattle Seahawks: Tavaris Jackson (Alabama State University)
Washington Redskins: Frank Kearse (Alabama A&M University), Jason Hatcher (Grambling State University)