It doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from if you’re talented enough, people will know your name.

The many former small-college stars that made NFL active rosters this week are all testaments to that.

As the beginning of the NFL season approaches next week, active rosters following the preseason had to be chopped down to 53 league-wide. Plenty of former Division II and Division III standouts made the grade and will be suiting up for NFL teams soon — and some of those names, in fact, are among the most exciting and popular players in football.

• Subscribe To FloFootball To Watch The 2024 College Football Season 
• South Dakota State The Team To Beat & More 2024 FCS Playoffs Predictions
• What Type Of Scholarships Do Division II, III And FCS Football Players Get?

Power-conference, Division I football is not a guaranteed ticket to the NFL, nor does a start at a smaller school mean that someone won’t ever make the big time. For those from the “lower” ranks of college football who are working with their teams after roster cut day, they’re clearly valued as difference makers.

Here’s a look at all the former Division 2 Football and Division 3 Football stars that survived NFL roster cuts this week: 

NOTE: Only players that made an NFL 53-man active roster are listed.

Division II Football Players In The NFL

Dennis Gardeck, LB, West Virginia State/Sioux Falls (Arizona Cardinals)

• Started a career-high eight games for Arizona last year, picking up six sacks

Ethan Evans, P, Wingate (Los Angeles Rams)

• Former D-II All-American and 2023 draft pick booted a 49.2 average his rookie season

Michael Jerrell, OT, Findlay (Seattle Seahawks)

• The sixth-round pick in 2024 stayed six years at Findlay and now gets an NFL shot

Dareke Young, WR, Lenoir-Rhyne (Seattle Seahawks)

• Missed a chunk of 2023 due to injury as he tries to stay healthy and break out in Year 3

C.J. Ham, FB, Augustana (South Dakota) (Minnesota Vikings)

• Arguably the league’s best fullback, Ham is coming off of a Pro Bowl season

Matt Orzech, LS, Azusa Pacific (Green Bay Packers)

• Won a Super Bowl with the Rams, signed with Green Bay in 2023

Corey Ballentine, CB, Washburn (Green Bay Packers)

• Jamaica-born ex-Cliff Harris winner had a career-high 43 tackles with Pack in 2023

Emanuel Wilson, RB, Johnson C. Smith/Fort Valley State (Green Bay Packers)

• AJ Dillon’s injury opens door for Wilson to get work behind starter Josh Jacobs

Craig Reynolds, RB, Kutztown (Detroit Lions)

• Should see the occasional rep in a crowded Lions backfield

Jonathan Owens, DB, Missouri Western (Chicago Bears)

• 209 total tackles in the past two seasons; married to star U.S. gymnast Simone Biles

Tyson Bagent, QB, Shepherd (Chicago Bears)

• Former Harlon Hill winner will back up well-hyped No. 1 pick Caleb Williams

Gunner Olszewski, WR, Bemidji State (New York GIants)

• Return specialist took a punt 94 yards to the house for Giants last year

Austin Ekeler, RB, Western Colorado (Washington Commanders)

• Do-it-all playmaker with new team after seven years starring with Chargers

C.J. Goodwin, CB, Fairmont State/California (Pennsylvania) (Dallas Cowboys)

• Veteran, now 34, re-signed with Dallas (his team since 2018) in offseason

Kameron Johnson, WR, Barton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Undrafted rookie impressed in preseason after two All-SAC campaigns for Barton

Tavierre Thomas, DB, Ferris State (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

• Now with fourth team, Thomas started 19 games in past three years with Houston

Nathan Shepherd, DT, Simon Fraser/Fort Hays State (New Orleans Saints)

• Canada-born interior lineman started every game for Saints, had 50 tackles last year

Rico Payton, CB, Pittsburg State (New Orleans Saints)

• Fantastic in preseason, UDFA signing joins loaded CB room with Marshon Lattimore

Matthew Judon, LB, Grand Valley State (Atlanta Falcons)

• Four-time Pro Bowler, one of NFL’s best LBs was traded by New England in the offseason

Dee Alford, CB, Tusculum (Atlanta Falcons)

• Went from the CFL to a three-year vet of Atlanta, where he had 41 tackles last season

Kyle Hinton, OL, Washburn (Atlanta Falcons)

• Played in 16 games for Atlanta last season, will protect a new QB in Kirk Cousins

David Moore, WR, East Central (Carolina Panthers)

• Panthers are newest team for the 29-year-old, who has 14 touchdowns in career

Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota State (Carolina Panthers)

• Former All-Pro and sure-handed wideout still going strong at 34 with Carolina

Joshua Williams, CB, Fayetteville State (Kansas City Chiefs)

• A fourth-round selection in 2022 has already won two Super Bowls with Kansas City

Mike Pennel, DT, Colorado State Pueblo (Kansas City Chiefs)

• Kansas native returned to KC and won Super Bowl last year; has 206 career tackles

Tershawn Wharton, DT, Missouri S&T (Kansas City Chiefs)

• Played in every game for the Chiefs last season; made a tackle in the Super Bowl win

Tyreik McAllister, WR, Charleston (West Virginia) (Las Vegas Raiders)

• Punt return TD and TD catch in preseason finale sealed McAllister’s spot in Vegas

Morgan Fox, DL, Colorado State Pueblo (Los Angeles Chargers)

• Carved out a good career with three teams; had third five-sack season of career last year

Trey Pipkins III, OG, Sioux Falls (Los Angeles Chargers)

• Top right guard on Chargers’ depth chart entering 2024, will be next to fifth pick Joe Alt

Alex Cappa, OG, Cal Poly Humboldt (Cincinnati Bengals)

• Reliable guard has started 79 of a possible 85 games in career with Tampa Bay, Cincy

Tanner Hudson, TE, Southern Arkansas (Cincinnati Bengals)

• Nabbed a career-high 39 receptions a season ago with Bengals, including first TD

D’Anthony Bell, S, Albany State/West Florida (Cleveland Browns)

• Had two interceptions for Browns last season; will battle for starting strong safety role

Deonte Harty, WR, Assumption (Baltimore Ravens)

• First year in Baltimore after stints with Saints, Bills; 21 catches with Buffalo a year ago

Zach Sieler, DT, Ferris State (Miami Dolphins)

• Exploded for a 10-sack season with Miami in 2023, where he started all 17 games

Kader Kohou, CB, Texas A&M-Commerce (Miami Dolphins)

• 29 of a possible 32 NFL starts for Kohou, who played with T&AMU-C before FCS move

Tyreek Hill, WR, West Alabama (Miami Dolphins)

• NFL’s most explosive player, “Cheetah” should have another huge year

Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne (New England Patriots)

• Speedy safety now $58 million richer after extension; nine interceptions in three seasons

Irvin Charles, WR, Indiana (Pennsylvania) (New York Jets)

• Special-teamer earned a second year on the Jets’ active roster after impressing in 2023

Greg Zuerlein, K, Missouri Western (New York Jets)

• “Greg the Leg” re-signed with the Jets in the offseason, his third team in 12 years

Grover Stewart, DT, Albany State (Indianapolis Colts)

• Starter with Colts for five seasons signed a $39 million extension to stay in Indy

Ashton Dulin, WR, Malone (Indianapolis Colts)

• Former All-Pro special teams weapon also had 15 receptions for the Colts last year

Dallis Flowers, CB, Pittsburg State (Indianapolis Colts)

• Looking to bounce back from season-ending injury in 2023; was strong returner in ‘22

Kenny Moore II, CB, Valdosta State (Indianapolis Colts)

• Pro Bowl corner has 17 career interceptions in 89 starts as anchor of Colts’ secondary

Caleb Murphy, OLB, Ferris State (Tennessee Titans)

• Former Cliff Harris winner is looking to break through this season in Nashville

Division III Football Players In The NFL

Quinn Meinerz, OG, Wisconsin-Whitewater (Denver Broncos)

• Former third-round pick inked sweet $80 million extension in offseason

Nicholas Morrow, LB, Greenville (Buffalo Bills)

• Greenville’s only NFL player now with the fourth team in solid eight-year pro career

FloCollege Is Coming In 2024

In October 2024, FloSports launches a new experience for college fans with a consolidation of all the great college content on one site. FloCollege will include content from FloFootball, FloHoops, FloBaseball and more. 

Which NCAA Conferences And Teams Are Included In FloCollege?

Here are all the conferences and teams streaming on FloCollege:

CAA (Division I/ FCS)

• College of Charleston
• Campbell University
• University of Delaware
• Drexel
• Hofstra
• UNC Wilmington
• Northeastern
• Towson
• William & Mary
• Hampton
• Stony Brook
• Elon
• North Carolina A&T
• Maine - Football Only
• University of Albany - Football Only
• University of New Hampshire - Football Only
• Villanova - Football Only
• Richmond - Football Only
• Fairfield - (Men’s Lacrosse Only)

BIG EAST (Division I)

• Butler
• Creighton
• DePaul
• Georgetown
• Marquette
• Providence
• Saint John’s
• Seton Hall
• Villanova
• Xavier
• UConn

SAC (Division II)

• Anderson University
• Carson-Newman
• Catawba
• Coker
• Emory & Henry
• Limestone
• Lincoln Memorial
• Mars Hill
• Tusculum
• UVA Wise
• Wingate
• Barton College - Football Only
• Belmont Abbey College - Field Hockey Only
• Converse University - Field Hockey Only
• Lander University - Field Hockey Only
• University of Mount Olive - Field Hockey Only

GLIAC (Division II)

• Davenport
• Ferris State
• Grand Valley State
• Lake Superior State
• MTU
• Northern Michigan
• Saginaw Valley State
• Wayne State
• Purdue Northwest
• Wisconsin-Parkside

NEWMAC (Division III)

• Babson College
• Clark University
• U.S Coast Guard Academy
• Emerson College
• MIT
• Mount Holyoke College
• Salve Regina
• Smith College
• Springfield College
• Wellesley College
• Wheaton College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Norwich University - Football Only
• SUNY Maritime College - Football Only
• U.S Merchant Marine Academy - Football Only

Gulf South (Division II)

• Alabama Huntsville
• Auburn Montgomery
• Christian Brothers
• Delta State
• Lee
• Mississippi College
• Montevallo
• Trevecca Nazarene
• Union
• Valdosta State
• West Alabama
• West Florida
• Erskine College - Football Only
• North Greenville – Football Only
• Flagler – Women’s Lacrosse Only
• Lander – Women’s Lacrosse Only
• Spring Hill – Men’s & Women’s Soccer Only

Landmark (Division III)

• Catholic University of America
• Drew University
• Elizabethtown College
• Goucher College
• Juniata College
• Lycoming College
• Moravian University
• University of Scranton
• Susquehanna University
• Wilkes University
• Keystone - Football Only

CCAA (Division II)

• Cal State Poly - Humboldt
• Cal State Poly - Pomona
• Cal State - Chico
• Cal State - Dominguez Hills
• Cal State - East Bay
• Cal State - Los Angeles
• Cal State - Monterey Bay
• Cal State - San Bernadino
• Cal State - San Marcos
• Cal State - Stanislaus
• San Francisco State
• Sonoma State

SCIAC (Division III)

• Caltech
• California Lutheran University
• Chapman University
• Claremont-Mudd-Scripps
• University of LA Verne
• Occidental College
• Ponoma-Pitzer
• University of Redlands
• Whittier College

SCAC (Division III)

• Centenary College - Football Only
• Colorado College
• Concordia University
• McMurry University - Football Only
• University of the Ozarks
• Schreiner University
• University of Dallas
• University of Saint Thomas

NE10 (Division II)

• Adelphi University
• American International College
• Assumption University
• Bentley University
• Franklin Pierce University
• University of New Haven
• Pace University
• Saint Anselm College
• Saint Michael’s College
• Southern Connecticut State University
• Southern New Hampshire University

Lone Star Conference (Division II)

• Angelo State University
• Cameron University
• Dallas Baptist University
• Eastern New Mexico University
• Lubbock Christian University
• Midwestern State University
• Oklahoma Christian University
• Saint Edward’s University
• Saint Mary’s University
• Sul Ross State University
• Texas A&M International University
• Texas A&M University-Kingsville
• Texas Woman’s University
• University of Texas Permian Basin
• University of Texas at Tyler
• West Texas A&M University
• Western New Mexico University
• Central Washington University - Football Only
• Western Oregon University - Football Only

Archived Footage On FloFootball

Video footage from all events will be archived and stored in a video library for FloFootball subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscription.

Watch The 2024 College Football Season On FloFootball 

FloFootball is the home of the best FCS, Division II and Division III football action all season long. 

Don't miss the latest college football action by bookmarking the FloFootball schedule page for the latest games. 

Join the College Football Conversation

• Follow us on Twitter @FloFootball
• Follow us on Instagram @FloFootball
• Follow us on TikTok @FloFootball
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook