For the first week of the 2021 NFL season, eight former Ohio Valley Conference players were on active rosters, while five other players were on practice squads. Below is how the active players performed during Week 1.
Jordan Berry, P, Minnesota Vikings (Eastern Kentucky)
Berry punted eight times for a net average fo 43.6 yards as the Vikings lost 27-24 at the Bengals. Berry had a long punt of 63 yards.
Mike Ford, DB, Denver Broncos (Southeast Missouri)
Ford had two tackles on special teams as Denver went to the New York Giants and pulled out a 27-13 victory.
Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers (Eastern Illinois)
Garoppolo completed 17-of-25 passes for 314 yards and a touchdown as the 49ers opened the season with a 41-33 win at Detroit. Included in his totals was a 79-yard touchdown pass to Deebo Samuel.
Kamu Grugier-Hill, LB, Houston Texans (Eastern Illinois)
Grugier-Hill tallied had two tackles on defense and also saw action on special teams in the Texans 37-21 win over Jacksonville.
Anthony Levine, LB, Baltimore Ravens (Tennessee State)
Playing against Las Vegas on Monday Night Football.
Siran Neal, DB, Buffalo Bills (Jacksonville State)
Neal had one tackle on special teams as the Bills suffered a 23-16 defeat against the Steelers.
Lachavious Simmons, OL, Chicago Bears (Tennessee State)
Was not active in the team's Sunday Night game at the Rams.
Quincy Williams, LB, New York Jets (Murray State)
Williams tallied three tackles and two quarterback hits in playing 61% of the defensive snaps for the Jets, who fell short against Carolina (19-14).
The following former OVC players were on practice squads for Week 1:
• DJ Montgomery, New York Jets (Austin Peay)
• Jaylon Moore, Baltimore Ravens (UT Martin)
• Aaron Patrick, Jacksonville Jaguars (Eastern Kentucky
• Noah Spence, Cincinnati Bengals (Eastern Kentucky)
• Kristian Wilkerson, New England Patriots (Southeast Missouri)