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Watch out for these Tucsonans, Arizona Wildcats during the 2018 NFL season
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Watch out for these Tucsonans, Arizona Wildcats during the 2018 NFL season

  • Justin Spears
  • Sep 5, 2018
  • Sep 5, 2018 Updated Oct 12, 2018
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Players that left their mark on the Old Pueblo will showcase their talents in the NFL this season. 

UA players, Tucson natives in the league

Broncos Football

Denver Broncos defensive back Will Parks (34) takes part in drills during an NFL football training camp at the team's headquarters Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2018, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

David Zalubowski

The NFL season starts this week, which also means several former Arizona Wildcats and Tucson natives will play another year, or their first, of football at the highest level. 

Last season ended with the Philadelphia Eagles beating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl 52, and quarterback Nick Foles became the first ex-Wildcat to win Super Bowl MVP and prevented his former UA teammates Rob Gronkowski and Marquis Flowers from getting a ring.

That's all history now. Here's a list of Tucsonans and former Wildcats to keep an eye on this season.    

Dane Cruikshank

NFL Combine Football (copy)
Michael Conroy / AP

Team: Tennessee Titans

Position: Defensive back

Years in NFL: Rookie

Height: 6-1

Weight: 209 pounds

2017-18 stats (Arizona): 74 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 sack 

Previous teams: N/A

Marquis Flowers

Titans Patriots Football

Patriots linebacker Marquis Flowers, back, chases Titans running back Derrick Henry during a playoff game. Flowers had a key sack in the game to help New England blow the game open.

Steven Senne / The Associated Press

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Linebacker

Years in NFL: 4

Height: 6-3

Weight: 245

2017-18 stats: 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks

Previous teams: New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals

Donovan Olumba

APTOPIX Cowboys Texans Football
Eric Christian Smith / AP Photo

Team: Dallas Cowboys

Position: Cornerback

Years in NFL: Rookie

Height: 6-2

Weight: 205 pounds

2017-18 stats (Portland State): 21 tackles, 7 pass breakups

Previous teams: N/A

Will Parks

Broncos Football
David Zalubowski / AP Photo

Team: Denver Broncos

Position: Safety

Years in NFL: 2

Height: 6-3

Weight: 261 pounds

2017-18 stats: 51 tackles, 1 interception

Previous teams: N/A

Blake Martinez

Seahawks Packers Football
Jeff Haynes / AP Photo

Team: Green Bay Packers

Position: Linebacker

Years in NFL: 2

Height: 6-2

Weight: 237 pounds

2017-18 stats: 144 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception

Previous teams: N/A

Nick Foles

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Quarterback

Years in NFL: 5

Height: 6-6

Weight: 243 pounds

2017-18 stats: 537 yards, 5 touchdown, Super Bowl MVP

Previous teams: Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams

Rob Gronkowski

Team: New England Patriots

Position: Tight end

Years in NFL: 8

Height: 6-6

Weight: 265 pounds

2017-18 stats: 69 receptions, 1,084 yards, 8 touchdowns

Previous teams: N/A

Earl Mitchell

Earl Mitchell 49ers Eagles Football
Michael Perez / AP Photo

Team: San Francisco 49ers

Position: Defensive end

Years in NFL: 8

Height: 6-3

Weight: 261 pounds

2017-18 stats: 2 tackles, 1 sack

Previous teams: Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins

Brooks Reed

Brooks reed
John Bazemore / AP Photo

Team: Atlanta Falcons

Position: Linebacker

Years in NFL: 7

Height: 6-3

Weight: 254 pounds

2017-18 stats: 41 tackles, 4 sacks

Previous teams: Houston Texans

Reggie Gilbert

Team: Green Bay Packers

Position: Defensive end

Years in NFL: 1

Height: 6-3

Weight: 261 pounds

2017-18 stats: 2 tackles, 1 sack

Previous teams: N/A

Trey Griffey

Steelers Camp Football
Keith Srakocic / AP Photo

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

Position: Wide receiver

Years in NFL: 1

Height: 6-3

Weight: 192 pounds

2017-18 stats: N/A

Previous teams: Detroit Lions

Gerhard de Beer

UA football media day (copy)
A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star

Team: Buffalo Bills

Position: Offensive line

Years in NFL: Rookie

Height: 6-6

Weight: 312 pounds

2017-18 stats: N/A

Previous teams: N/A

Justin Spears

Justin Spears

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