From Friday nights to Sundays: Meet the Indiana high school football alums in the NFL
The 2022 NFL season has begun, and Indiana high schools will be represented leaguewide.
About two dozen players are on active rosters or practice squads. Ben Davis, Lawrence Central, Cathedral and Bishop Chatard have multiple players suiting up.
Among Indiana colleges, Notre Dame has dozens of NFL players, while Purdue and Indiana have about 10 each, and Ball State and Indiana State are represented.
Roster changes can come rapidly, so this list could change.
Specialize or diversify?These 3-sport IHSAA standouts 'just like to compete'
Jessie Bates III, Fort Wayne Snider
The 25-year-old is entering his fifth season as a Bengals safety. He has 10 career interceptions, including one in 2021. He had 20 tackles and defended 6 passes in Cincinnati's playoff run to the Super Bowl.
David Bell, Warren Central, Purdue
The consensus All-American was a 3rd-round NFL Draft pick for the Cleveland Browns and is expected to contribute immediately.
Jeremy Chinn, Fishers
The 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year had a strong second act for the Carolina Panthers. The safety had 107 tackles (6 for a loss), 5 forced fumbles and 1 interception.
Coy Cronk, Lafayette Central Catholic, IU
The offensive lineman is on the Jaguars practice squad.
Gerrid Doaks, Lawrence Central
The running back has been on the Dolphins and Texans rosters in 2022.
Danny Etling, Terre Haute South
The quarterback familiar with being on a practice squad since entering the NFL in 2018. He's on the Packers practice squad but has yet to throw a regular-season pass.
Chris Evans, Ben Davis
The Bengals running back had 17 carries and 15 receptions (2 for touchdowns) in 2021. He had 1 catch in the Super Bowl.
Randy Gregory, Hamilton Southeastern
After several turbulent years with the Cowboys, the 29-year-old linebacker gets a fresh start with the Broncos. He made his biggest impact in Dallas in 2021, starting 11 games, getting 6 sacks and snaring his first career interception.
Peyton Henderson, Tri-West, IU
The tight end made the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent. He's far down the depth chart, so he'll have to make his mark on special teams.
Zander Horvath, Mishawaka Marian, Purdue
Fullback?! Yep, the 7th-round NFL Draft pick is listed as the Chargers fullback. It's time for him to protect Justin Herbert, open holes for Austin Ekeler and catch an occasional screen pass.
James Hurst, Plainfield
The 9th-year veteran has an important job: protecting Jameis Winston as the Saints left tackle. He's in his third season in New Orleans, where he started 15 games in 2021.
Caleb Jones, Lawrence North, IU
He's a Packers practice squad offensive lineman.
George Karlaftis, West Lafayette, Purdue
The consensus All-American defensive lineman was the 30th overall pick in the NFL Draft by Kansas City. He's expected to get after opposing quarterbacks, including AFC West foes Russell Wilson, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr.
Ted Karras, Cathedral
The 29-year-old offensive lineman is with his third team in three years. He's penciled in as the Bengals center, though he also has extensive experience at guard.
Nick Martin, Bishop Chatard, Notre Dame
The 29-year-old offensive lineman starts the season on the New Orleans practice squad. He played for the Raiders in 2021.
Zack Martin, Bishop Chatard, Notre Dame
The 31-year-old is coming off his fifth All-Pro season as the Cowboys right guard. This is his 10th year in Dallas after being a 1st-round NFL Draft pick.
Cam McGrone, Lawrence Central
The 5th-round NFL Draft linebacker pick starts the season on the Patriots practice squad.
Terry McLaurin, Cathedral
The former 3rd-round NFL Draft pick enters his fourth season as the Commanders' top receiving target. He has 222 career catches, 16 for touchdowns.
Ryan Neal, Merrillville
He is entering his fourth season as a Seahawks safety, his fifth overall. He had 49 tackles, 3 for a loss, and 3 passes defended in 2021.
Esezi Otomeow, Ben Davis
The fifth-round 2022 NFL Draft pick is a Vikings defensive lineman.
Danny Pinter, South Bend Adams, Ball State
The third-year offensive lineman is slated to start at right guard for the Indianapolis Colts. But can he snag another touchdown reception?
Ben Skowronek, Homestead, Notre Dame
A 7th-round NFL Draft pick in 2021, he had 20 receptions as a Rams rookie receiver. He had 2 catches in Los Angeles' Super Bowl victory.
Jon Toth, Brebeuf Jesuit
He appeared in six games in 2021 as a Washington center. He's on the Commanders practice squad.
Drue Tranquill, Carroll (Allen), Notre Dame
The Chargers linebacker is entering his fourth season. He was in on 76 tackles, 5 for a loss, in 2021.
Sterling Weatherford, Hamilton Heights
The undrafted rookie starts the season as a Chicago Bears linebacker after spending training camp with the Indianapolis Colts.
Pete Werner, Cathedral
He made 62 tackles, 4 for a loss, as a Saints rookie linebacker. He's set to start this year.
Russ Yeast, Center Grove
The 7th-round NFL Draft pick is a Rams safety who will be counted on in special teams.
Purdue players in the NFL
(With player, team and position; PS-practice squad)
Rondale Moore, AZ WR; Austin Larkin, CAR DE (PS); Anthony Brown, DAL CB; Tyler Coyle, DAL S (PS); Derrick Barnes, DET S; Brycen Hopkins, LAR TE; Jordan Roos, TEN OL (PS); Grant Hermanns, NYJ OL (PS); Ja'Whaun Bentley, NE LB; DaMarcus Mitchell, NE DL; Raheem Mostert, MIA RB; Markus Bailey, CIN LB; David Blough, MIN QB (PS).
Notre Dame players in the NFL
Adetokunbo Ogundeji, ATL LB; J.J. Jansen, CAR LS; Tommy Tremble, CAR TE; Cole Kmet, CHI TE; Sam Mustipher, CHI OL; Equanimeous St. Brown, CHI WR; Scott Daly, DET LS; Tommy Kraemer, DET G; Julian Okwara, DET LB; Brock Wright, DET TE; Romeo Okwara, DET DL (PUP); Kyren Williams, LAR RB; Harrison Smith, MIN S; Tony Jones Jr., NO RB; Julian Love, NYG S; Nick McCloud, NYG CB; Ian Book, PHI QB; Aaron Banks, SF OL; Mike McGlinchey, SF OL; Robert Hainsley, TB OL; Kyle Rudolph, TB TE; Miles Boykin, PIT WR; Chase Claypool, PIT WR; Jamir Jones, PIT LB; Liam Eichenberg, MIA OL; Durham Smythe, MIA TE; Alohi Gilman, LAC S; Jerry Tillery, LAC DL; Matthias Farley, LV S (PS); Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa, LV DL (PS); Kevin Austin Jr., JAX WR (PS); Quenton Nelson, IND G; Kurt Hinish, HOU DL; Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, CLE LB; Isaac Rochell, CLE DE (PS); Kyle Hamilton, BAL S; Ronnie Stanley, BAL OL.
Ball State players in the NFL
Caleb Huntley, ATL RB (PS); Ray Wilborn, DET LB (PS); Willie Snead IV, SF WR (PS); Bryce Cosby, LV DB (PS).
Indiana football players in the NFL
Ian Thomas, CAR TE; Nate Sudfeld, DET QB; Micah McFadden, NYG LB; Ryder Anderson, NYG S (PS); Marcelino McCrary-Ball, SF LB (PS); Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, TEN WR; Dan Feeney, NYJ OL; Raheem Layne, LAC S (PS); Tegray Scales, CIN LB (PS); Rodger Saffold, BUF OL.
Indiana State players in the NFL
Robert Tonyan, GB TE; Jonas Griffith, DEN LB.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana high school football players who are on NFL rosters in 2022
