#ProTops: Six Former Hilltopprs Make Final NFL Cuts
The NFL regular season begins on Thursday, and six former Toppers will suit up as part of the 53-man roster to begin the season.
The NFL regular season begins on Thursday, and six former Toppers will suit up as part of the 53-man roster to begin the season.
Brandon Doughty (Miami), George Fant (Seattle), Antonio Andrews (Tennessee), Jack Doyle (Indianapolis), Bobby Rainey (New York Giants) and Tyler Higbee (Los Angeles — holy crap is that still weird to say) have all made it through the rigors of training camp and preseason games to begin the 2016 season safely on a team.
Among those former Toppers cut prior to rosters getting down to 53-men were Jared Dangerfield (New Orleans), Antwane Grant (Cincinnati), Quanterus Smith (Detroit) and Prince Charles Iworah (San Francisco).
A couple of things stand out here. First, the fact that Prince Charles Iworah was cut is a bit shocking to me, if nothing more than the fact that he was a SF draft pick. You’d think they’d want to at least see what he can do. (Granted, I watched none of their preseason games so I have no idea of his production or value to the 9ers.)
Secondly, George Fant is on the 53-man roster for an NFL team. That is insane. It’s really really awesome, but truly insane when you really think about it. PLUS Fant is a 53-maner as an offensive lineman, not a tight end like originally thought. It’s amazing how well that transition is going for him, and I can’t wait to see him have awesome success.
The Andrews news really is no surprise — it’s no secret the Titans like him a ton. He was promoted to the 53-man squad a couple of seasons ago because, rumors have it, they didn’t want to lose him to Buffalo when the Bills were in dire need of a running back and could have picked him up off the practice squad. If there is a surprise with Andrews making the cut, its that he out performed Bishop Sankey, who got the ax instead.
Jack Doyle is beloved in Indianapolis, so anyone who thought he was in danger is crazy, and Bobby Rainey has established himself as a productive NFL back, so the Giants giving him a roster spot is no shocker either.
Everything we heard coming out of South Beach about Doughty has been positive, so it’s really no surprise that he made the cut with the Dolphins either. Personally, I’m still not sure about how I feel with Doughty being with a team that seems so committed to their starting QB, but I’m also not a Dolphins fan, so I don’t know if they truly are that behind Tannehill or not. I’m not saying I expected Doughty to start THIS year, but still.
Those are my thoughts on the Toppers to make 53-man NFL rosters, so what are yours? Let us know in a comment below or on twitter @TheTowelRackWKU.