Former Cardinal gear up for NFL season

Stanford's NFL legacy remains strong as we head into the 2024 season, with a total of 27 former Cardinal players currently on NFL team rosters. Among them are a number of standout athletes who continue to make their mark in the league.

Christian McCaffrey is leading the pack. He has become one of the most important players in the league after moving from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. His play reached new heights in 2023, topping the NFL in rushing yards (1,459) and scoring 21 touchdowns on his way to winning the league's Offensive Player of the Year honor.

Throughout the season, McCaffrey matched a record in the NFL that had stood for 60 years by scoring touchdowns in 17 consecutive games. This tied the record set by Lenny Moore in 1963-64. McCaffrey made it to the Super Bowl LVIII with San Francisco and was considered for the Super Bowl MVP award after gaining 160 yards from scrimmage and scoring one touchdown.

A top player in the NFL known for his great defensive skills used to play for the Cardinals. Bobby Okereke switched teams last year and played for the New York Giants. He was ranked ninth in the league for tackles, with a total of 149. Okereke also achieved personal bests in forcing fumbles (4.5), sacks (2.5), and matched his highest number of interceptions with two.

Okereke and Harrison Phillips, who now plays for the Minnesota Vikings, have both been chosen as team captains for the upcoming season, making them the second pair of former Cardinals to receive this honor in 2024.

Paulson Adebo played an important role in the strong defense of the New Orleans Saints last season, sharing the seventh spot in the league with four interceptions. This cornerback, in his third year, also reached a personal best with 76 tackles and 18 passes defended, significantly increasing his career stats in that area.

On the defensive side, Justin Reid joined the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVIII, playing in his second Super Bowl as a former Cardinal. He became the fourth Stanford graduate to win consecutive Super Bowls, alongside John Elway, Darrien Gordon, and Ed McCaffrey, who achieved this feat with the Denver Broncos in 1997-98. McCaffrey and the 49ers were the opponents in the game.

A few ex-Cardinal tight ends moved to different teams during the offseason. Zach Ertz signed with the Washington Commanders for his 12th season in the NFL. Austin Hooper, also from Tight End U, went to the New England Patriots. Colby Parkinson joined Joshua Karty with the Los Angeles Rams in another tight end switch.

Thomas Booker, who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles, Andrus Peat, who is part of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Casey Toohill, a member of the Buffalo Bills, all transferred to different teams during the offseason.