National Football League

Illinois Football: NFL Update on Former Illini Players

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Illinois football team sent a few players to the NFL from the 2015 Illini squad.

These former Illinois Fighting Illini football players will make a name for themselves at the NFL level and we get the privilege to watch them for years to come.

Here is how three of the Illini fared after the 53-man roster cuts were made.

Clayton Fejedelem (Cincinnati Bengals)

One of the great stories in all of football is Clayton Fejedelem.

Fejedelem was playing in the NAIA before transferring to Illinois for his final two years of eligibility. This was probably the best move of his career so far.

In Fejedelem’s senior season he was named as a captain and he was the defensive player of the year. This success translated into being drafted in the 7th round by the Cincinnati Bengals.

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Well, final cuts were made and Fejedelem is now a full-time member of the Bengals. He made the 53-man roster.

Geronimo Allison (Green Bay Packers)

It was sad news yesterday for former Illinois wide receiver Geronimo Allison. He was cut by the Green Bay Packers so they could get down to 53 players.

Allison was actually one of the better wide receivers in the preseason for the Packers. He had 6 catches for 119 yards in the 4 games he had a chance to play in.

This cut really was because the Packers had an established set of wide receivers already. There just wasn’t enough room for Allison.

I am sure at some point throughout this season Allison will be picked up by a better team that will appreciate the skills he brings to the game of football.

Josh Ferguson (Indianapolis Colts)

The Indianapolis Colts have a mess for a backfield right now. They have an aging Frank Gore to lead the way but after that is a big question mark.

Josh Ferguson could be the answer to the Colts running back needs and they felt the same way.

Ferguson was kept on the 53-man roster and will be a member of the Colts this season.

This is huge for the former Illinois running back. He can both run and catch the ball out of the backfield.

I expect Ferguson to do great things with the Colts in the near future.

The Illinois football team had a few players from last season’s team compete for roster spots in the NFL preseason. They are well represented throughout the entire NFL.