Nittany Lions in the AFC

With forty two players currently signed to NFL rosters, the number of Penn State lettermen who continue to make an impact as professional football players has remained fairly consistent over the years. Twelve players who were members of the Nittany Lion squad in 2011 are included in this number, having been drafted or signed to professional teams this spring.

While the sport of football is undoubtedly different on the professional and collegiate levels, the name "Penn State" still resonates in most corners of the NFL, with teams knowing they'll get hard working, fundamentally sound football players, and, perhaps more importantly, solid citizens.

The following is a list of the teams in the AFC, and the former Nittany Lions working hard to keep their place on each team's roster.

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

Bryan Scott, LB. Drafted by the Falcons in the 2nd round in 2003. Traded to the Saints in 4/06. Signed by the Titans as an unrestricted free agent in 3/07; released in 9/07. Signed by the Bills in 9/07 as an unrestricted free agent; new contract just signed 3/21/12. Currently listed as active.

Nick Sukay, DB. Rookie. Signed as an undrafted free agent 4/30/12.

Miami Dolphins

Derek Moye, WR. Rookie. Signed as an undrafted free agent 5/4/12.

Jared Odrick, DE. Drafted in the 1st round, 2011, 28th overall. Currently listed as active.

Cameron Wake, LB.

Signed with the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005, waived shortly after. Signed to the BC Lions of the CFL in 5/07. Signed as a free agent with the Dolphins in 1/09. Played in the Pro Bowl in 2010. Currently listed as active.

New England Patriots

Rich Ohrnberger was released by the Patriots on 2/22/12; they currently have no former Nittany Lions on their roster.

New York Jets

Dennis Landolt, T. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Giants in 2010. Released in 10/10 and signed to the 49ers practices squad. Signed a reserve/futures contract with the Jets on 1/12/12. Currently listed as a member of the practice squad.

D'Anton Lynn, DB. Rookie. Signed as an undrafted free agent 5/4/12.

Aaron Maybin, DE.

Drafted by the Bills in the 1st round, 2009, 11th overall. Waived by the Bills in 8/11, signed with the Jets immediately after. Tendered as a restricted free agent. Currently listed as active.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

Currently have no former Nittany Lions on their roster.

Cincinnati Bengals

Devon Still DT. Rookie. Drafted in 2nd round, 2012.

Cleveland Browns

Jordan Norwood, WR. Re-signed as an exclusive rights free agent 4/12/12. Signed as an undrafted free agent by the Browns in 5/09, waived 9/09. Signed with the Eagles 9/09, waived 9/10. Signed by the Browns again 9/10. Currently listed as active.

Scott Paxson, DE. Signed by the Steelers as an undrafted free agent in 4/06, waived 9/06. Signed by the Packers in 2006 then waived, signed again by the Steelers in 12/06, waived 9/10. Signed by the Browns 1/11. Currently listed as active.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jeremy Kapinos, P. Signed as an undrafted free agent with the Jets in 2007, released 6/08. Signed by the Packers in 12/08. Signed by the Colts in 10/10, waived 11/10; signed by the Steelers 12/10. Currently listed as active.

Derrick Williams, WR. Drafted by the Lions in the 3rd round, 2009. Waived 9/11. Signed by the Steelers, 1/20/12. Currently listed as active.

AFC South

Houston Texans

Bryant Johnson, WR. Drafted by the Cardinals in the 1st round, 2003, 17th overall. Signed as an unrestricted free agent to the 49ers in 3/08, to the Lions in 3/09, cut by the Lions in 7/11. Signed by the Texans in 8/11. Currently listed as an unrestricted free agent.

Indianapolis Colts

Ollie Ogbu, DT. Signed as an undrafted free agent in 7/11. Signed a reserve/futures contract, 1/4/12. Currently listed as active.

AQ Shipley, C. Drafted by the Steelers in the 7th round, 2009. Waived 9/09. Signed to the Eagles 1/10, waived 9/11. Signed a reserve/futures contract with the Colts 1/28/12. Currently listed as active.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Paul Posluszny, LB.

Drafted by the Bills in the 2nd round, 2007. Signed with the Jaguars as an unrestricted free agent in 7/11. Currently listed as active.

Tennessee Titans

Tim Shaw, LB. Drafted by the Panthers in the 5th round, 2007. Released in 8/08; signed by the Jaguars in 11/08, released in 9/09. Signed by the Bears in 9/09, Released in 9/10. Claimed off waivers by the Titans in 9/10. Currently listed as active.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

Currently have no former Nittany Lions on their roster.

Kansas City Chiefs

Tamba Hali, LB.

Drafted in the 1st round, 2006, 20th overall. Re-signed in 8/11. Spent first three seasons as a DE. Two-time pro-bowler, in 2010 and 2011; was the AFC sack leader in 2010. Currently listed as active.

Oakland Raiders

Jack Crawford, DE. Rookie. Drafted in the 5th round, 2012.

Chaz Powell, S. Rookie. Signed as an undrafted free agent, 5/10/2012.

Nate Stupar, LB. Rookie. Drafted in the 7th round, 2012.

Stefen Wisniewski, G. Drafted in the 2nd round, 2011. Started all 16 games of his rookie season (15 as guard, one as center). Currently listed as active.

San Diego Chargers

Johnnie Troutman, G. Rookie. Drafted in the 5th round, 2012.

Not included: As they ended their collegiate careers at Baylor and Delaware, respectively, Phil Taylor and Pat Devlin were not included on this list.

Stay tuned for our list of NFC Nittany Lions, later this week.

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