MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State placed 19 former players on NFL rosters as teams were mandated to trim their rosters to 53 active players and an eight-man practice squad on Sunday. Of the 19 players, nine are on offense and 10 are on defense.

The longest-tenured former Wildcats include defensive end Darren Howard (10th season), linebacker Mark Simoneau (10th season; injured reserve) and linebacker Motny Beisel (ninth season).

Two players from the 2008 Wildcats captured spots on active rosters, while another was named to the practice squad. First-round selection Josh Freeman was named to the 53-man roster, while Reggie Walker, an undrafted rookie free agent linebacker, won a roster spot with Arizona after an impressive preseason. Defensive lineman Ian Campbell was named to the St. Louis Rams’ practice squad.

Also, three veterans begin the 2009 season with a different team as Monty Beisel went from Arizona to Kansas City, Yamon Figurs went from Baltimore to Detroit, and Nick Leckey went from St. Louis to New Orleans.

The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 10, while a full slate a games are scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13.

Wildcats in the NFL – 2009 Opening Day

Name Team Pos. NFL Exp.

Monty Beisel Kansas City LB 9

Ian Campbell* St. Louis DE R

Rock Cartwright Washington RB 8

Jeromey Clary San Diego OT 3

Zac Diles Houston LB 3

Yamon Figurs Detroit WR 3

Josh Freeman Tampa Bay QB R

Darren Howard Philadelphia DE 10

Rob Jackson* Washington DE 1

James Johnson* Cincinnati RB 1

Ben Leber Minnesota LB 8

Nick Leckey New Orleans C 6

Ryan Lilja Indianapolis OG 6

Jon McGraw Kansas City S 8

Jordy Nelson Green Bay WR 2

Terence Newman Dallas CB 7

Mark Simoneau** New Orleans LB 10

Darren Sproles San Diego RB 5

Reggie Walker Arizona LB R