Watch out for these Tucsonans, Arizona Wildcats during the 2018 NFL season
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Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
- Updated
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
Updated
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)
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
Updated
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
Updated
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.
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
Updated
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
Updated
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
Updated
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
UpdatedTeam: 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
UpdatedTeam: 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
Updated
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
Updated
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
UpdatedTeam: 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
Updated
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
Updated
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
Sports Reporter
