Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

University of Mount Union

Athletics Site of the Mount Union Purple Raiders
Athletics Site of the Mount Union Purple Raiders

Mount Union in the NFL

(Updated July 2024)

NFL









 

A total of 15 former Purple Raiders have made it to the NFL, including 11 as a player:


Jim Ballard, QB - Cincinnati Bengals (1994), Buffalo Bills (1997-98)

  • On the roster of the Cincinnati Bengals in 1994 and on the roster of the Buffalo Bills in 1997 and 1998.

Dom Capers - New Orleans Saints (1986–91), Pittsburgh Steelers (1992–94), Carolina Panthers (1995–98), Jacksonville Jaguars (1999–2000), Houston Texans (2002–05), Miami Dolphins (2006–07), New England Patriots (2008), Green Bay Packers (2009–17), Jacksonville Jaguars (2019), Minnesota Vikings (2020), Detroit Lions (2021), Denver Broncos (2022), Carolina Panthers (2023–present)

  • In his 39th season as an NFL coach as a senior defensive assistant with the Carolina Panthers for the 2024 season. 
  • Has worked for 11 other NFL teams including being the first head coach of the Carolina Panthers and the Houston Texans.
  • Was named the AP NFL Coach of the Year in 1996 with the Carolina Panthers and won a Super Bowl title as part of a 12-year stint as defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers.

Jasper Collins, WR - Cleveland Browns (2013), Miami Dolphins (2013), Pittsburgh Steelers (2014), Bengals (2014)

  • Played three seasons for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League and had been on NFL practice squads in Cleveland and Miami while also spending time in training camps in Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. Collins was also on the Indianapolis Colts coaching staff as part of the Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellows. He is currently an assistant coach at Mount Union. 

Bill Davis - Philadelphia Eagles (1976–78), Miami Dolphins (1979–81), Cleveland Browns (1981–86), Philadelphia Eagles (1986–90)

  • Davis was a long-time NFL coach and personnel executive with the Eagles (1976-78, 1986-90), Dolphins (1979-81) and Browns (1981-86). He assembled rosters that produced 30 Pro Bowl campaigns, four division titles and seven playoff appearances. 
  • While in Cleveland, Davis acquired seven players who would later be selected by the team as Browns Legends, including quarterback Bernie Kosar, who would lead the team to three AFC Championship games in the late 1980s.
  • Four players acquired by the Eagles during Davis’ tenure were later inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame, and another, Cris Carter, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Wilmer Flemming, HB - Canton Bulldogs (1925)

  • Played in one game for the Canton Bulldogs in 1925.

Pierre Garcon, WR - Indianapolis Colts (2008–11), Washington Redskins (2012–16), San Francisco 49ers (2017–18)

  • Drafted in the sixth round (205 overall) by the Indianapolis Colts in 2008.
  • Had an illustrious professional career including the NFL receptions leaders in 2013, multiple 1,000-receiving yard seasons, and started and caught a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIV.
  • Had a 19-yard touchdown catch from Peyton Manning in Super Bowl XLIV, which capped off a 96-yard drive tying the longest touchdown scoring drive in Super Bowl history. 
  • In the 2009 AFC Championship game against the NY Jets, had 11 catches for 151 yards which was the third-best post-game season total in team history.
  • For his career, he played in 148 games with 123 starts with 628 receptions for 7,854 yards and 38 touchdowns.
  • His 628 catches is 63rd all-time in NFL history.

Chris Kern, DB - Detroit Lions (2004)

  • Played in two games for the Detroit Lions in 2004.

Ron Lynn - San Diego Chargers (1986–1991), Cincinnati Bengals (1992–1993), Washington Redskins (1994–1996), New England Patriots (1997–1999), Oakland Raiders (2000–2003), San Francisco 49ers (2004)

  • Spent 18 seasons as an NFL assistant coach serving as defensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals and Washington Redskins. Also was secondary coach for the New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. 

Vince Marotta, B - New York Giants (1948)

  • Drafted in the 26th round (236 overall) by the New York Giants in 1948.

Kyle Miller, TE - Jacksonville Jaguars (2011), Indianapolis Colts (2012), Miami Dolphins (2012–14), Atlanta Falcons (2014–15), San Diego Chargers (2015)

  • In 2011, Miller was among the final cuts in training camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
  • In the spring of 2012, he was signed to the Indianapolis Colts practice squad and was called up for a game and played against the New England Patriots on November 18.  When the Colts tried to put him back on their practice squad after the game, the Miami Dolphins claimed him and he spent of the rest of last season on their roster.
  • In 2013, with the Dolphins he caught a touchdown pass against the Dallas Cowboys in the Hall of Fame game in Canton and spent the season on the practice squad.
  • In 2014, he was on the practice squad with the Atlanta Falcons.
  • In 2015, he appeared in two games for the San Diego Chargers.
  • He is currently an assistant coach at Mount Union.

Wayne Ruby Jr., WR - Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)

  • In 2024, Ruby signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. 
  • Ruby, who earned his third-straight Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Receiver of the Year recognition, led the league in yards (1,124), touchdowns (15), and receptions (75) in 2023 - becoming the school's career record holder in receiving yards (5,624), receiving touchdowns (74), and receptions (362). Ruby garnered three First Team All-America honors in 2023.

Cecil Shorts III, WR - Jacksonville Jaguars (2011–14), Houston Texans (2015), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2016)

  • Drafted in the fourth round (114 overall) by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011 ... Played in 10 games as a rookie with two catches, four kickoff returns and 12 punt returns. 
  • In 2012, he played in 14 games with 55 catches for 979 yards and seven touchdowns ... had eight catches for 166 yards at Green Bay.
  • In 2013, started 13 games and led team with 777 receiving yards including an eight catch 143 yard game at Seattle.
  • In 2014, had 53 catches for 557 yards with a touchdown in 13 games.
  • In 2015, signed a free agent contract with the Houston Texans and had 42 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns.
  • In 2016, he was picked up by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and played in 10 games with 11 catches for 152 yards before an injury ended his season.
  • For his career, played in 70 games with 229 catches for 2,979 yards with 14 touchdowns.

Nick Sirianni - Kansas City Chiefs (2009-12), San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2013-17), Indianapolis Colts (2018–20), Philadelphia Eagles (2021–present)

  • Head Coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • Directed a record-breaking 2022 campaign that resulted in an NFC East crown, conference title and appearance in Super Bowl LVII.
  • Was an assistant coach for 12 years in the NFL: for the Kansas City Chiefs, the L.A./San Diego Chargers, and the Indianapolis Colts (offensive coordinator).

Scott Woolf, QB - Los Angeles Raiders (1987)

  • Played in one game for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1987.

Corl Zimmerman, OL - Dayton Triangles (1927-29)

  • Played in 13 games and started seven for the Dayton Triangles between 1927-1929.