Washington Huskies alumni in the NFL – 2020 wrap up: AFC North and West

  |  
Jan 17, 2021
Washington Huskies NFL
Cory Littleton, Washington Huskies NFL.

This year there were 36 Washington Huskies alumni in the NFL. PNWS takes a division by division look at how they fared. We conclude with the AFC North and West Divisions.

The Washington Huskies have been a dependable supplier of talent to the professional ranks. This year, 36 University of Washington alumni were part of NFL Rosters. Pacific Northwest Sports reviews their performance this season, division by division. Today, we conclude our series with Huskies alumni playing in the NFC South and East Divisions.

AFC West

Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas is the only team in the AFC West with a former Washington Huskies player on their roster. Rising his way up from undrafted free agent, Cory Littleton has become a dependable NFL linebacker. After four years with the Rams, Littleton signed a three-year, $35M deal with Las Vegas last offseason. Although he missed two games this year (all starts), Littleton was second on the Raiders with 84 tackles.

Unfortunately, he missed 17 tackles, which were 17.2 percent of his attempts. That was somewhat of a surprise, considering he only missed 15 in his previous 32 games with the Rams.

AFC North

Cincinnati Bengals

Tight end Drew Sample was drafted out of Washington in 2019’s second round by the Bengals. Sample missed much of his rookie year because of a right ankle injury. This year he played in every game, starting 15. Even though Sample is known for his blocking ability, he caught 40 passes for 349 yards in 2020.

A standout wide receiver with the Washington Huskies, John Ross has struggled as a pro. This year he played only three games as injuries set him back once again. He caught only two passes for 17 yards. In four NFL seasons, Ross played in only 27 games out of a possible 64. It’s very possible the Bengals don’t bring him back in 2021.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns had two former Washington Huskies players on their roster, offensive lineman Nick Harris and wide receiver Marvin Hall. Cleveland is high on Harris, who they drafted in the fifth round last spring. He appeared in 12 games as a rookie and should have a bright future with the Browns.

Hall only finished the season with Cleveland. Before suiting up for the Browns in Game 16 (one catch, 12 yards, he played 11 for Detroit. In total, Hall caught 18 balls for 302 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Pittsburgh Steelers

The AFC North winners have no former Huskies on their roster.

Baltimore Ravens

Marcus Peters finished his second year with the Ravens. Baltimore is his third team since Kansas City took him in 2015’s first round (18th overall).

This season Peters started and played in every game except week 15 and 16 when he sat out with a calf injury. He returned in Week 17 with a tackle and an interception in the end zone as the Ravens beat Cincinnati 38-3.

If you missed any of our previous four articles about Washington Huskies alumni in the NFL, please click the link: NFC West Division, NFC North Division, NFC South and East Divisions, AFC South Division, and AFC East Division.

Share: