Which Former Oklahoma State Players Made NFL 53-Man Rosters to Start 2024

Saturday isn’t the only day to watch Cowboys play.

Eleven former Oklahoma State players made it through the training camp gauntlet and landed on initial 53-man NFL rosters. That’s half the amount that entered training camp earlier this summer.

Justice Hill, Tylan Wallace, Chuba Hubbard, Teven Jenkins, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Malcolm Rodriguez, Tyler Lacy, Emmanuel Ogbah, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Warren and Mason Rudolph will start 2024 suiting up for an NFL franchise on Sundays (or Mondays or Thursdays). Here’s a look at those guys and their situation, plus some notable players who didn’t make the cut.

Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens

For the fifth-straight year, Justice Hill is on an NFL roster. And he’s been a Raven his entire career.

Hill keeps sticking around in Baltimore despite shuffling even in the running back room. He’ll start this season backing up new addition Derrick Henry. But Hill is only a play away from a ton of carries as the RB2 behind Henry.

Tylan Wallace, Baltimore Ravens

Wallace made enough plays this preseason to be Hill’s teammate in Baltimore for a fourth season.

TOUCHDOWN @OfficialTylan2!!

Tune in on @wbaltv11! pic.twitter.com/XOAvGxhxIS

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 24, 2024

Like Hill, Wallace is also a No. 2 on the depth chart, behind Rashod Bateman at WR. He’s also a backup kick and punt returner. He’s actually the No. 3 returner behind Hill and Deonte Harty.

This is a run-heavy team so there’s not much to go around for a backup receiver, but Wallace still always manages to create a highlight every season.

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Despite a crowded running back room, Chuba Hubbard not only made the roster in Carolina, but emerged as the Panthers’ lead back.

Hubbard starts 2024 atop the Panthers’ depth chart at RB ahead of Jonathon Brooks, the rookie out of Texas, and veteran Miles Sanders. After backing up Christian McCaffrey most of his first three seasons, this will be Hubbard’s first chance to start the season as RB1.

Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears

There was no fear whether Teven Jenkins would make the Bears’ roster as their starting left guard.

Jenkins enters his fourth season in the league. And this year, he’ll be blocking for No. 1 NFL Draft pick and former Sooner (and Trojan) Caleb Williams.

Amen Ogbongbemiga, Chicago Bears

Amen Ogbongbemiga needed to stand out this preseason to make the Bears’ roster, but he did enough and then some.

Ogbongbemiga not only made the 53-man roster, but will even get playing time and compete for a starting role as the Bears’ backup Will linebacker. This is his fourth season in the league but first in Chicago after spending the first three years of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Malcolm Rodriguez, Detroit Lions

Rodrigo has become a staple in Detroit since he first got there in 2022.

Rodriguez has had a role in this defense every season but has still yet to crack the starting lineup consistently. He’ll start 2024 backing up Alex Anzalone at middle linebacker.

Tyler Lacy, Jacksonville Jaguars

Tyler Lacy barely made the cut, but nonetheless, he’s on the Jaguars’ roster heading into his second season.

Lacy will begin the season as the No. 3 at the left defensive tackle spot. The Jaguars have four guys listed at both defensive tackle positions to be deep enough to rotate guys in and out there.

Emmanuel Ogbah, Miami Dolphins

He was a late addition, yet Ogbah still ended up at familiar place for his ninth season.

After being released by the franchise in March, Ogbah signed a one-year with the Dolphins in July after Shaquil Barrett’s retirement opened up space at linebacker in Miami. A veteran, Ogbah will start his ninth seasons as the Dolphins’ No. 2 at Will linebacker.

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Obviously Hill was going to make an NFL roster after being voted the best player in the league ahead of the 2024 season.

Hill spent only one season in Stillwater before off-the-field issues cut his time as a Cowboy short. But after another stop at West Alabama, he went to the NFL and took over the league as a receiver. This will be his third season in Miami after starting his career in Kansas City, where he spent six seasons.

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren was injured during the preseason, but despite being sidelined, the Steelers still already knew Warren was good enough to contribute to their team.

Warren was looking to overtake Najee Harris as the Steelers’ top running back but that won’t be the case at least to start the year because of the hamstring issue. However, Warren did say he plans to be healthy enough to play in Pittsburgh’s season opener. Even with the injury hampering Warren early, though, he could still emerge as the Steelers’ lead back.

Mason Rudolph, Tennessee Titans

For the first time in his five-year NFL career, Mason Rudolph isn’t a Steeler after signing with the Tennessee Titans this offseason.

Rudolph joined a crowded QB room where just about everyone had a chance to either start or be forced elsewhere. He did enough to earn a spot, but Rudolph will at least start the season as Will Levis’ backup.

Notable

There were some notable former Cowboys who didn’t make the cut, at least to start 2024.

Receiver James Washington signed with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason but released even before the final cut day. Washington, while bouncing around the league and dealing with injuries, hasn’t caught a pass since 2021 for the Steelers.

Another receiver, Leon Johnson III, was also waived, but this was only his first try at making a roster after emerging out of nowhere at OSU last season as a Division-III transfer.

More of a shock for a receiver who didn’t make it was Tyron Billy-Johnson with the Dallas Cowboys. He was getting buzz throughout training camp, but ultimately, Billy-Johnson was released at the deadline.

What a sideline grab by Tyron Billy-Johnson 😱#LACvsDAL | #ProPokes pic.twitter.com/d0JmktvJcK

— OSU Cowboy Football (@CowboyFB) August 24, 2024

Others who participated in training camp but didn’t make a roster include Elijah Collins, Devin Harper, Josh Sills, Tre Flowers, Tanner Brown, Anthony Goodlow, Jason Taylor II, A.J. Green II, Tay Martin and Christian Holmes.