College Basketball Coaches at Alma Mater

 

What if college basketball programs opted to hire a school alum as their head coach?

Here is a list of potential options at many schools (includes active head coaches in college and NBA and notable assistants)

ACC

• Boston College – Bruce Pearl (Auburn), Mark Schmidt (St Bonaventure)
• Clemson – Will Wade (LSU)
• Duke – Bobby Hurley (Arizona St), Quin Snyder (Jazz), Jeff Capel (Pitt), Chris Collins (Northwestern), Tommy Amaker (Harvard), Johnny Dawkins (UCF)
• Georgia Tech – Mark Price (former Charlotte HC), Craig Neal (former New Mexico HC)
• Louisville – Scott Davenport (Bellarmine), Reece Gaines (NBA/Spurs Asst)
• Florida State – Sam Cassell (NBA Assst)
• Miami – James Jones (NBA/Suns GM)
• NC State – Archie Miller (recently fired at Indiana), Nate McMillan (NBA/Hawks)
• North Carolina – Hubert Davis*, Roy Williams, Jerry Stackhouse (Vanderbilt), Wes Miller (Cincinnati)
• Notre Dame – Monty Williams (NBA/Suns), Martin Ingelsby (Delaware)
• Pittsburgh – Sean Miller, Kevin Willard (Seton Hall)
• Syracuse – Jim Boeheim*, Mike Hopkins (Washington)
• Virginia – Rick Carlisle (NBA/Mavs), Jeff Jones (Old Dominion)
• Virginia Tech – N/A
• Wake Forest – Tim Duncan (NBA/Spurs Asst)

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Big East

• Butler – LaVall Jordan*, Scott Drew (Baylor), Travis Steele (Xavier)
• Creighton – Porter Moser (Oklahoma)
• Depaul – Tyrone Corbin (NBA/Magic Asst, former Jazz HC), Rod Strickland (former USF Asst)
• Georgetown – Patrick Ewing*
• Marquette – Doc Rivers (NBA/76ers), Brian Wardle (Bradley)
• Providence – Jim Larranaga (Miami), Richard Pitino (New Mexico), Billy Donovan (NBA/Bulls)
• Seton Hall – Dan Hurley (UConn)
• St. John’s – Chris Mullin
• UConn – Steve Pikiell (Rutgers), Mark Daigneault (NBA/Thunder)
• Xavier – Chris Mack (Louisville), Pat Kelsey (Charleston)

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Big Ten

• Purdue – Matt Painter*, Cuonzo Martin (Missouri)
• Illinois – N/A
• Indiana – Mike Woodson*, Steve Alford (Nevada), Joe Pasternack (UC-Santa Barbara
• Iowa – Keno Davis (recently fired by CMU)
• Maryland – Juan Dixon (Coppin St)
• Michigan – Juwan Howard*
• Michigan State – Scott Skiles (former NBA HC)
• Minnesota – Ben Johnson*, Brian Dutcher (SD St), Niko Medved (Colorado State), JB Bickerstaff (NBA/Cavs)
• Nebraska – Tyronn Lue (NBA/Clippers)
• Northwestern – Dave Leitao (recently fired by Depaul)
• Ohio State – N/A
• Penn St – Ed DeChellis (Navy)
• Rutgers – Eddie Jordan (former Rutgers HC)
• Wisconsin – Ben Braun (former Cal and Rice HC), Michael Finley (NBA/Spurs FO)

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Big 12

• Baylor – Grant McCasland (North Texas)
• Iowa State – Fred Hoiberg (Nebraska), Jeff Hornacek (former Knicks HC)
• Kansas – Mark Turgeon (Maryland), Jerod Haase (Stanford), Tad Boyle (Colorado)
• Kansas State – Lon Kruger (retired), Tim Jankovich (SMU), Brad Underwood (Illinois)
• Oklahoma – Terry Stotts (NBA/Blazers)
• Oklahoma State – Bill Self (Kansas)
• Texas – Chris Beard*
• Texas Tech – Darvin Ham (NBA/Bucks Asst)
• TCU – Jamie Dixon*
• West Virginia – Bob Huggins*

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SEC

• Alabama – Mike Davis (Detroit Mercy), Mo Williams (Alabama St), Mark Gottfried (Cal State Northridge)
• Arkansas – Darrell Walker (Arkansas-Little Rock)
• Auburn – N/A
• Florida – Matt McCall (UMass)
• Georgia – N/A
• Kentucky – Dwayne Casey (NBA/Pistons), Frank Vogel (NBA/Lakers), Mark Pope (BYU), Travis Ford (STL)
• LSU – Johnny Jones (Texas Southern)
• Mississippi State – Kermit Davis (Ole Miss)
• Missouri – Kim English (George Mason)
• Ole Miss – Mike White (Florida), Anthony Boone (Central Arkansas)
• South Carolina – Mike Boynton (Oklahoma St)
• Tennessee – N/A
• Texas A&M – Buzz Williams*
• Vanderbilt – N/A

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PAC-12

• Arizona – Josh Pastner (Georgia Tech), Damon Stoudemire (Pacific), Steve Kerr (NBA/Warriors), Luke Walton (NBA/Kings)
• Arizona State – Lionel Hollins (former Grizzlies/Nets HC)
• California – Dennis Gates (Cleveland St), Jason Kidd (former Nets/Bucks HC)
• Colorado – Chauncey Billups (NBA/Clippers Asst)
• Oregon – Mark Few (Gonzaga)
• Oregon State – N/A
• Stanford – Mark Madsen (Utah Valley)
• UCLA – Earl Watson (NBA/former Suns HC)
• USC – N/A
• Utah – Scott Garson (Santa Clara asst)
• Washington – Lorenzo Romar (Pepperdine)
• Washington State – Leon Rice (Boise State)

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AAC

• Cincinnati – Mick Cronin (UCLA)
• East Carolina – Bob McKilop (Davidson)
• Memphis – Penny Hardaway*
• Temple – Aaron McKie*
• Tulsa – Mike Anderson (St John’s)

Atlantic 10

• Dayton – Anthony Grant*
• George Washington – Mike Brey (Notre Dame), Joe Dooley (ECU)
• Dayton – Anthony Grant*
• Richmond – Kenny Atkinson (former Nets HC)
• Saint Joseph’s – John Gallagher (Hartford)
• St Bonaventure – Rob Lanier (Georgia St)
• UMass – Rick Pitino (Iona)

Big Sky

• Montana – Wayne Tinkle (Oregon St),  Larry Krystkowiak (recently fired by Utah)
• Weber St – Ben Howland (Miss St)

Big South

• High Point – Tubby Smith*

Big West

• UC Irvine – Scott Brooks (NBA/Wizards)

Colonial

• Elon – Frank Haith (Tulsa)

Conference USA

• FIU – Frank Martin (South Carolina)
• Marshall – Dan D’Antoni*, Mike D’Ántoni (NBA), John Brannen (former Cincinnati HC)
• Middle Tennessee St – Cliff Ellis (Coastal Carolina)
• UAB – Andy Kennedy*
• Western Kentucky – Darrin Horn (Northern Kentucky)

Horizon

• Green Bay – Tony Bennett (Virginia)
• Oakland – Brian Gregory (USF), Drew Valentine (Loyola-Chi)
• Wisconsin-Milwaukee – Bruce Weber (Auburn)

Ivy

• Brown – Stephen Silas (NBA/Rockets)
• Penn – Fran McCaffery (Iowa), Taylor Jenkins (NBA/Grizzlies)
• Princeton – Chris Mooney (Richmond)

MAC

• Central Michigan – Tom Crean (Georgia), Dan Majerle (former Grand Canyon HC)
• Kent State – Jordan Mincy (Jacksonville)
• Miami Ohio – Ron Hunter (Tulane)
• Ohio – Jeff Boals*

Missouri Valley

• Bradley – Jim Les (UC Davis)
• Illinois St – Dan Muller*, Dana Ford (Missouri St)
• Northern Iowa – Nick Nurse (Raptors), Greg McDermott (Creighton)
• Valparaiso – Bryce Drew (Grand Canyon)

Mountain West

• Air Force – Greg Popovich (Spurs)
• UNLV – Kevin Kruger*, Todd Simon (Southern Utah)

Ohio Valley

• UT-Martin – Leonard Hamilton (Florida St)

Patriot League

• Army – Mike Krzyzewski (Duke)
• Bucknell – Jay Wright (Villanova)

Summit

• North Dakota – Ben Jacobson (Northern Iowa), Craig Smith (Utah)

Sun Belt

• Appalachian St – Matt McMahon (Murray St), Alvin Gentry (former NBA HC)

West Coast Conference

• San Diego – Eric Musselman (Arkansas), James Borrego (NBA/Hornets)
• Santa Clara – Steve Nash (NBA/Nets)

New York Knicks Draft Struggles: Not a Long Term Answer

 

Part of the New York Knicks’ NBA Draft struggles involves bad luck and bad decisions making. In some cases, the guys they wanted were off the board. In other cases they simply took a bad player.

This group of 9 players didn’t spend more than two seasons on the Knicks roster. Some of them were traded before they were given a fair chance and some just never panned out (or both).

Jerian Grant (2015, #19)

Details: Knicks traded Tim Hardaway Jr. to acquire the rights to Grant during the 2015 Draft.

Problem with this pick: He just never fit in. Derek Fisher was fired halfway through the season. 34 year old Jose Calderon was the starter at point guard and Grant just never developed or took positive steps forward.

How it ended: Grant shot 22% from three in his one season in NY. He played 76 games, averaging 16 minutes per game and was traded the next summer to the Bulls as part of the deal for Derrick Rose.

Tim Hardaway Jr (2013, #24)

Problem with this pick: His father was a crucial member of the Heat during the late ’90s/early 2000s rivalry.

Right after Hardaway, the Thunder drafted Andre Roberson at 26 and Jazz took Rudy Gobert at 27.

How it ended: Hardaway averaged 10.0 ppg for two years before being traded to the Hawks for a first round pick in 2015 that became Jerian Grant.

Hardaway returned in 2017 on a ridiculous 4 year, $74 million contract. It was extremely undeserving and the agreement was universally mocked. Hardaway proved to be a fine player over the next year and a half, improving as a scorer and a defender (but that still doesn’t warrant the payday).

After averaging 19.0 ppg in 26 games in 2018-19, he was traded to the Mavericks, along with Kristaps Porzingis in January for cap space.

Jordan Hill (2009, #8)

Problem with the pick: His name wasn’t Steph Curry

Every Knicks fan wanted the fun, three point shooting Davidson star and many expected he would slip to the Knicks. But he did not and the Knicks settled for the Arizona big man. Hill was selected one pick ahead of Demar Derozan.

How it ended: Hill only last 24 games with the Knicks. He was sent to Houston during his rookie year in a package for Tracy McGrady. Hill played just 10 minutes per game and scored 4.0 ppg, grabbing 2.5 rpg.

Too bad this pick wasn’t Steph Curry.

Renaldo Balkman (2006, #20)

Details: Knicks acquired this pick in Feburary 2006, along with Jalen Rose from Toronto for Antonio Davis.

Problem with this pick: Many had never even heard of Balkman. If you bought a program at the NBA Draft, Balkman’s name was not one of the top 300 prospects listed in it. Rajon Rondo (#21) and Kyle Lowry (#24) were picked right after Balkman. Friendly reminder, that the Knicks have needed a point guard for over 20 years.

How it ended: Balkman’s Knicks career consisted of 150 games and a career 4.0 scoring average. He was traded to Nuggets in 2008 as part of a salary dump for Taurean Green and Bobby Jones.

Channing Frye (2005, #8)

Problem with this pick: Not much. Frye was a rare decent pick. His 10.8 ppg and 5.6 rpg in two seasons were both higher than his career averages.

How it ended: Channing Frye had a very nice career. Unfortunately only two years (137 games) were with the Knicks. He was traded in 2007 along with Steve Francis to the Blazers for Zach Randolph, Fred Jones, and Dan Dickau.

Michael Sweetney (2003, #9)

Problem with this pick: Everything.

For starters, this was a draft where 4 of the top 5 players were Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwayne Wade.

The Knicks have needed a point guard since the 90s and TJ Ford was picked one spot ahead of Sweetney.

How it ended: The Knicks wound up with Michael Sweetney, who averaged a fat 7.0 ppg and 4.8 rpg over two years in 119 total games. Sweetney was traded to Chicago in 2005 as part of the package for Eddy Curry. He played 114 games over two years with the Bulls, before being out of the league by 2007.

Frank Williams (2002, #25)

Details: Nuggets made this pick and traded the rights to Williams on draft night in 2002 as part of the Nene/Antonio McDyess swap. Even though, Williams was not technically a Knicks draft pick, he still qualifies for the list.

Problem with this pick: For one, he stunk. But also, this was just a horrible trade.

Williams was the Big Ten Player of the Year at Illinois in 2001 and an AP Third-Team All American, but his skills never translated in the NBA.

How it ended: Williams played with the Knicks for two seasons, totaling 77 games and playing an average of 11.4 minutes per game, while scoring 3.2 ppg and dishing out 2.0 apg.

His playing time was limited once Stephon Marbury was acquired. Williams was traded to the Bulls in August 2004, along with Dikembe Mutombo, Othella Harrington, and Cezary Trybanski for Jamal Crawford and Jerome Williams.

Donnell Harvey (2000, #22)

Problem with this pick: Morris Peterson was drafted immediately before Harvey at #21 and DeShawn Stevenson immediately after at #23. Two solid NBA players.

How it ended: Harvey never played a game for the Knicks. He was traded with John Wallace to the Mavs for Erick Strickland and Pete Mickeal.

Frederic Weis (1999, #15)

1999 may not be within the last 20 years, but this is one of the Knicks biggest mistakes ever, so forgive me for wanting to include this to the story.

Problem with this pick: Weis never came to America and never played in the NBA. Knicks took him one pick before local St. John’s prospect Ron Artest, and before James Posey (18) and Andre Kirilenko (24).

How it ended: No explanation needed. Just watch…

The Risk of Drafting WRs in First Round of NFL Draft

 he 2021 NFL Draft begins Thursday April 29th with the first rounder. At least 6 wide receivers may hear their names called on Thursday, with the possibility of 3 going in the top 10. LSU WR J’Marr Chase and Alabama WRs Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are at the top of the class.

Teams like the Bengals, Dolphins, Lions, Panthers figure to be in the mix for these guys. But drafting a WR in the first round is always risky, even more so in the top 10.

In the last 10 years, 11 WRs have been drafted in the top 10

• Corey Davis (#5, 2017)
• Mike Williams (#7 2017)
• John Ross (#9, 2017)
• Amari Cooper (#4, 2015)
• Kevin White (#7, 2015)
• Sammy Watkins (#4, 2014)
• Mike Evans (#7, 2014)
• Tavon Austin (#8, 2013)
• Justin Blackmon (#5, 2012)
• AJ Green (#4, 2011)
• Julio Jones (#6, 2011)

Of these 11, only 3 remain with the teams that drafted them (Williams, Evans, Jones).

Evans, Green, Jones, Cooper are all major hits. Evans just helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl. Jones is considered the best WR in football. Green has been slowed by injuries the last few years, but has long been a top 5-10 WR and Cooper has been a major part of the Cowboys offense.

White and Blackmon were catastrophic disappointments. White played 17 games, never caught a touchdown and had just 25 receptions. Blackmon caught 5 TDs in his rookie season, but off-the-field issues caught up to him quickly and he faded from the league by mid-2013.

Austin is still in the league as a gadget player, but never fulfilled his potential as a top WR.

Ross is still young but trending in the major disappointment category. He has a chance at a new beginning with the Giants, though is likely their #4 WR entering 2021.

Watkins hasn’t lived up to #4, but hasn’t been a total disappointment either as he has bounced around from the Bills, Rams, Chiefs and now Ravens.

Williams and Davis still have potential and are only entering year 5, with Williams still with the team that drafted him (Chargers) and Davis moving on to a new team (Jets).

Beyond the Top 10

None of these WRs were taken in round 1 – Stefon Diggs, Michael Thomas, Chris Godwin, Adam Thielen, Keenan Allen, Tyreek Hill, Allen Robinson, Davante Adams. Plus recent All-Pros Antonio Brown and Doug Baldwin.

Look at the recent list of first round WRs, especially when compared to non-first rounders

2020

First round – Henry Ruggs III (12), Jerry Jeudy (15), Ceedee Lamb (17), Jalen Raegor (21), Justin Jefferson (22), Brandon Aiyuk (25)
Non-first round – Tee Higgins (33), Michael Pittman (34), Chase Claypool (49),

This first round class has a chance to be extremely special.

2019

First round – Marquise Brown (25), N’Keal Harry (32)
Non-first round – Deebo Samuel (36), AJ Brown (51), Mecole Hardman (56), DK Metcalf (64), Diontae Johnson (66), Terry McLaurin (76), Darius Slayton (171)

Brown and Metcalf both made major impacts for teams that made the playoffs in both 2020 and 2021. Hardman was a role player on the Chiefs.

2018

First round – DJ Moore (24), Calvin Ridley (26)
Non-first round picks – Courtland Sutton (40, Christian Kirk (47), DJ Chark (61), Anthony Miller (51), Michael Gallup (81), Russell Gage (194)

Both first round WRs are pretty good and have future WR1 potential.

2017

First round – Corey Davis (5), Mike Williams (7), John Ross (9)
Non-first round – Curtis Samuel (40), Juju Smith Schuster (62), Cooper Kupp (69), Chris Godwin (84), Kenny Golladay (96)

2 of the 3 first rounders weren’t given second contracts by the teams that drafted them. The non-first rounders on this list are all highly touted WRs.

2016

First round – Corey Coleman (15), Will Fuller (21), Josh Doctson (22), Laquon Treadwell (23)
Non-first round – Sterling Shepard (40), Michael Thomas (47), Tyler Boyd (55), Tyreek Hill (165), Robby Anderson (UDFA)

Hill (47) has more career TD catches than all 4 first rounders combined (41). That should tell you what you need to know. Also, hard to believe that 5 WRs were drafted ahead of Michael Thomas.

2015

First round – Amari Cooper (4), Kevin White (7), DeVante Parker (14), Nelson Agholor (20), Breshad Perriman (26), Phillip Dorsett (29)
Non-first round – Tyler Lockett (69), Jamison Crowder (105), Stefon Diggs (146), Tyrell Williams (UDFA)

Stefon Diggs was the 20th WR dratted in 2015. 20th!

2014

First round – Sammy Watkins (4), Mike Evans (7), Odell Beckham Jr (12), Brandin Cooks (20), Kelvin Benjamin (28)
Non-first round – Davante Adams (53), Allen Robinson (61), Jarvis Landry (63), John Brown (91)

Adams and Robinson, drafted in the second round, among the best WRs in the NFL.

2013

First round – Tavon Austin (8), DeAndre Hopkins (27), Cordarrelle Patterson (29)
Non-first round – Robert Woods (41), Keenan Allen (76), Kenny Stills (144), Adam Thielen (UDFA)

26 teams passed on Hopkins, one of the best WRs in football. Austin and Patterson have been used as gadget players and running backs. Meanwhile, Woods, Allen, Thielen are all #1 WRs.

2012

First round – Justin Blackmon (5), Michael Floyd (13), Kendall Wright (20), AJ Jenkins (30)
Non-first round – Alshon Jeffery (45), TY Hilton (92), Travis Benjamin (100), Marvin Jones (166), Cole Beasley (UDFA)

All four first round WRs have been out of the NFL for a few years.

2011

First round – AJ Green (4), Julio Jones (6), Jonathan Baldwin (26)
Non-first round – Torrey Smith (58) Randall Cobb (64)

Green and Jones have been two of the best first round picks over the last 10 years.

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History suggests that drafting a WR in the first round may not be the wisest decision. The chance of drafting a “bust” is much larger than the chance of drafting a Pro Bowler. If nothing else, drafting a wideout in round one does not guarantee any form of success.

Looking Back at Football Careers of WWE Wrestlers

 

Many wrestlers have experience playing football, before they got into WWE.

Let’s look back at how some of these wrestlers got started playing football.

THE ROCK

Real name: Dwayne Johnson)

College: Miami University

Pro Career: brief stint in CFL

The Rock is an 8-time WWE World Champion, one of the highest grossing movie stars, and a man with over 15 million twitter followers. He is also a guy who got his start playing college football at the University of Miami.

In 4 years at Miami (1991-1994), Dwayne Johnson played 39 games, starting just one. He record 78 total tackles (29 unassisted) and had 4 sacks. Johnson spent most of his career as a backup defensive tackle, rotating behind well known NFL star Warren Sapp.

Before getting into wrestling, Johnson tried to make it in football and after receiving no NFL interest, attempted a career in the CFL. In 1995, he was cut after 2 months with the Calgary Stampeders. Injuries played a large role in his lack of success post college.

I think most people would be thankful that Johnson took the career path he did as “The Rock” is one of the most famous and popular men on the planet. He is the sole reason I even remotely cared about wrestling as a child and his movies are all awesome.

ROMAN REIGNS

Real name: Joe Anoa’i

College: Georgia Tech

Pro Career: Training camp with Vikings and Jaguars, CFL for 1 year

Anoa’i was a 3 year starter at Georgia Tech as a defensive tackle. Anoa’i is best known as Roman Reigns in the WWE and is also The Rock’s cousin. At Georgia Tech, Anoa’i was named team captain his senior season. He was first team All-ACC that season, recording 4.5 sacks and contributing 40 tackles. At Georgia Tech, he played with well-known Lions WR Calvin Johnson.

After graduating in 2006, he was undrafted but got a training camp contract with the Vikings. He was quickly released and signed with the Jaguars, but again was quickly released. In 2008, he played 5 fames for the Edmonton Eskimos, but was released/retired in November to pursue a career in wrestling.

That wrestling career has served him well as Anoa’i aka Reigns had a highly successful run with a trio called The Shield and he is a 5-time (and current) World Champion in WWE. He has also had some famous matches with Brock Lesnar, below, including two recent main events at Wrestlemania 31 and 34 for the world title.

BROCK LESNAR

College: University of Minnesota

Pro Career: Training camp with Vikings

Brock Lesnar attended University of Minnesota but did not play on the football team. He played in high school but was a wrestler in college. Straight out of college he signed a contract with the WWE, where he was from 2000-2004.

During that time Lesnar won multiple World Championships, but in 2004, following a match with another member on this list Goldberg, he left WWE to pursue a career in football.

Lesnar took an unconventional approach, but NFL teams were still interested in him. Unfortunately, a motor cycle accident prevented him from reaching his true potential due to the injuries suffered. He signed with the Vikings and played several pre-season games before being released. That was the extent of his football career. L

esnar has had a highly successful career as an amateur wrestling champion, UFC champion, and WWE champion. His biggest moment in wrestling came in 2014 when Lesnar beat the Undertaker at Wrestlemania, ending his famous undefeated streak.

GOLDBERG (real name Bill Goldberg)

College: University of Georgia

Pro Career: Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, CFL

Goldberg played defensive tackle for Georgia. His stats are underwhelming but he did have 2 interceptions, which is always impressive for a defensive linemen. Goldberg was the 301st overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft (11th round) to the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent the 1990 season.

Following that year, Goldberg spent a year in the CFL and then joined his hometown Atlanta Falcons, where he spent three seasons (1992-1994). He played in just 13 games and recorded only 11 tackles. In 1995 he chosen by the Carolina Panthers in the expansion draft but never suited up for the team and has the distinct honor of being the first player the franchise ever cut.

Goldberg went on to have a long and successful run in WCW and WWE. He is best known for beating Hulk Hogan in 1998 in the Georgia Dome, to claim his first World title. This moment is famous because of Hogan’s dominant run as part of the NWO.

Other famous wrestlers who played football:

STONE COLD STEVE AUSTIN  (real name Steven Anderson)

Stone Cold is best known for his role in the WWE along with the Rock in the mid-to-late 90s. Before that, he played defensive end for North Texas, where he had a minimal impact. He did not pursue a pro career following college.

LEX LUGER (real name Lawrence Pfohl)

Attended Penn State, before transferring to Miami. He played both defensive end and linebacker. At Miami, he was teammates with Mark Richt (current Miami coach) and Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly, amongst others. His pro football career included a trip to the CFL championship game in 1979. He tried out with the Packers, but was never an official member of their active roster.

JBL (real name John Layfield)

JBL has a highly successful career in the WWE as a tag team specialist, World Champion, and announcer. He is also a highly successful businessman and can be seen on several tv shows and has written multiple books. Before all of that, JBL played college football for Abilene Christian University. He was a two year started along the offensive line and was even named to the All-Lone Star Conference team. Layfield went undrafted and signed with the Los Angeles Raiders but was released before the 1990 season. He did play 1  year in a league known as the World League of American Football, starting all 10 games at right tackle. His QB was current Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett.

Big E (real name Ettore Ewen)

Ewen did not play pro football, but played 11 games as a sophomore in 2006 at Iowa, at defensive end.  Big E made 14 total tackles as a backup/special teams player. Injuries forced him to retire from football after his one season. 

Baron Corbin (real name Thomas Pestock)

Corbin never played in an NFL game, but did have multiple opportunities and contracts. He played offensive guard for Northwest Missouri State University, in Division II. In 2007, he was named an Honorable Mention All-MIAA (Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association) member and made First team All-MIAA (conference he played in) in 2008. His team made the D2 National Championship in all 4 of his seasons, but they went 0-4. 

Corbin (aka Pestock) signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He also played on the Cardinals practice squad and had contracts with Saints, Bears, Texans, Ravens (all as practice squad or training camp player).