Former Penn State Football superstars shine across the NFL in week one

Penn State Football had an excellent showing in the NFL in week one, as many lettermen had standout performances to kickoff the season.

From rookies getting off to a fast start in their professional career, to some comeback performances by a pair of former star running backs, and one of the league’s best players picking up where he left off in 2021; let’s take a look at some of the top performances by some former Penn State Nittany Lions in the NFL for week one.

Nick Scott – safety – Los Angeles Rams

On Thursday night, the defending Super Bowl Champion Rams got off to a slow start to the season as they look to defend their title, but former Nittany Lion Nick Scott was one of the few bright spots for them.

Scott forced not just one, but two fumbles on the evening, as well as added seven total tackles and a pass deflection.

Pat Freiermuth – tight end – Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated last year’s AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals in overtime on Sunday afternoon, and Pat Freiermuth led the black and yellow in receiving as he caught five passes for 75 yards on the day.

Arnold Ebiketie – defensive end – Atlanta Falcons

Last year’s leader in the Big Ten for tackles for loss–Arnold Ebiketie–recorded his first NFL sack on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Surely there’s plenty more where that came from for the Falcons’ 2022 second round selection.

Jaquan Brisker – safety – Chicago Bears

One of the best safeties in Penn State Football history got off to a fast start in his NFL career as he helped his Bears pull off the week one upset over the San Francisco 49ers in the swimming pool that was Soldier Field.

Jaquan Brisker forced a fumble early in the game, as well as recovered it, and he finished the game with four tackles (all of them solo), including one tackle for loss. He was also excellent in coverage as he was so often for the Nittany Lions.

Miles Sanders – running back – Philadelphia Eagles

After a quiet 2021 campaign, former Penn State Football running back Miles Sanders started the new season in big way.

He carried the ball 13 times for 96 yards (7.4 yards per carry) in the Eagles’ win over the Detroit Lions and also scored a touchdown; his first since 2020.

Jahan Dotson – wide receiver – Washington Commanders

The 16th overall pick of the 2022 draft certainly met expectations in week one, helping to lead his team to a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Though he only caught three passes for a total of 40 yards, two of those receptions went for touchdowns, the latter of which was the go-ahead score that lifted the Commanders past the Jags.

Jahan Dotson had a great first step towards Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he undoubtedly had the best week one performance by any rookie on the offensive side of the ball.

https://twitter.com/NFLRookieWatxh/status/1569457399878283264?s=20&t=Q-_agz0zNO47mfcyJiQKZw

Saquon Barkley – running back – New York Giants

Saquon Barkley finally looked like his old self on Sunday afternoon in the Music City, as he helped carry the New York Giants to a victory over the Tennessee Titans.

The former All-American rushed for 164 yards on just 18 carries (9.1 yards per carry) and scored a touchdown. He also scored the go-ahead two-point conversion for the Giants with just over a minute remaining in the game.

For good measure, he added six receptions for 30 yards.

Through one week, Barkley leads the NFL in rushing yards and looks like the player that Penn State Football fans had come to know during his time in Happy Valley. It’s amazing how much of a difference being healthy and being part of a competent offense can make.

Micah Parsons – linebacker/edge – Dallas Cowboys

Last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year picked up right where he left off, sacking Tom Brady twice and being one of the few bright spots for the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Along with those two sacks, Micah Parsons finished the game with five total tackles and two more QB hits.

The former Nittany Lion has quickly cemented himself as one of the best defensive players in the NFL, and he got off to a strong start to the season where he’s got a legitimate shot at earning the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award.