Kent State Golden Flashes football
Encyclopedia
The Kent State Golden Flashes
football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University
in Kent, Ohio
, USA. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference
East division, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
's Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A). The Golden Flashes played their first game in 1920 and since 1969 have played their home games at Dix Stadium
. Darrell Hazell
, the former assistant head coach at Ohio State
, was hired as head coach in 2010.
, a 6-0 loss under coach Paul Chandler. Kent State would record their first win that year, but it would be in the form of a forfeit. The team would not record their first true victory until November 14, 1925, a 7-6 win over West Liberty State College
. Outside the forfeited win in 1920, Kent State would fail to score in their first 14 games, posting a record of 0-13-1 before finally putting points on the board in a 7-6 loss to West Liberty in 1923. During that streak, Kent State would suffer the worst loss in school history, a 118-0 loss to Baldwin-Wallace College
, also in 1923. Following the 7-6 loss to West Liberty, a new shutout streak began which lasted 8 games, in which the Flashes, then known as the "Silver Foxes" went 0-6-2. The streak began with the second most lopsided loss in school history, an 82-0 loss to Slippery Rock
. The streak finally ended with a 6-6 tie with the Indiana (PA) Normal School
in 1925, the game which preceded Kent State's first true victory. Kent State posted their first winning season in 1928, going 4-2-2.
beginning in the 1931 season, playing in the OAC through the 1950 season except for the 1943-1945 seaons, which were cancelled due to American involvement in World War II
. Under coach G. Donald Starn, who coached Kent State from 1935-1942, the Flashes would begin to taste success, posting winning seasons in 1938 (6-2), 1940 (8-1), and 1942 (5-3). During their time in the OAC, the Flashes never won a conference title, but did finish second in 1940 with a 4-0 conference record. The team finished third in both 1948 and 1949 going 3-0 and 2-0 respectively in conference play.
, by defeating Marietta College
57-0. The next season saw the Golden Flashes join the Mid-American Conference
. Rees would guide the team to its first bowl appearance in the 1954 Refrigerator Bowl. Rees coached Kent State from 1946-1963, posting a record of 92-63-5 (.591).
In 1971, Don James took over as head coach. Under James, and with notable players such as Pro Football Hall of Fame
inductee and former Pittsburgh Steelers
middle linebacker Jack Lambert, current Alabama Crimson Tide football
coach Nick Saban
, and current Missouri Tigers football
coach Gary Pinkel
, Kent State was finally able to celebrate its first—and so far only—Mid-American Conference title in 1972 followed by a trip to the 1973 Tangerine Bowl
. James would coach at Kent State four seasons (1971-1974), posting an overall record of 25-19-1 (.567) which included a 9-2 record in 1973. James left after the 1974 season to accept the head coaching job at the University of Washington
, where he would ultimately win the 1991 national championship.
was hired in 1986 and in his two seasons in Kent posted two consecutive 2nd place MAC finishes including a 7-4 overall mark in 1987, the Flashes' first winning season since 1977. Former Flashes standout Jim Corrigall
began in 1994 and became the first coach since Don James to coach more than three seasons, though he lasted only four. Dean Pees was hired in 1998 and suffered through the Flashes' most recent winless season (0–11 in 1998) before leading the team to a slow recovery. In 2001 Kent State posted their first winning season since 1987 when they were led by quarterback Joshua Cribbs
to a 6–5 overall record, 5–3 in the MAC. Pees would leave Kent State after the 2003 season to take a job with the New England Patriots
; Pees is now the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens
. Head coach Doug Martin
began his tenure in 2004. His best season was the 2006 season, which saw Kent State go 6–6 overall and 5–3 in the MAC, finishing second in the East division. Kent State began the 2010 season with hopes of contending for a MAC title, but early losses at Miami
and Toledo
ended any hope for a title. The team did record its first-ever sell-out at Dix Stadium on October 9 when a crowd of 24,211 watched the Flashes defeat the arch-rival Akron Zips
28–17 to reclaim the Wagon Wheel. In the days following a 38–3 loss at Western Michigan
, which dropped the team's record to 4–7 and 3–4, Doug Martin announced his resignation, effective at the conclusion of the season. The team responded with a 28–6 upset win over the first-place Ohio Bobcats
at Dix Stadium to finish with a record of 5–7 overall and 4–4 in the MAC. Martin finished his tenure with a record of 29–53 overall and 21–35 in the MAC. Darrell Hazell
, an assistant coach at Ohio State
, was hired December 20, 2010, as the team's 20th head coach.
Despite the overall lack of success in the program, Kent State has produced a number of standouts including several prominent figures in college football, the Canadian Football League
and in the National Football League
.
—although as noted below, not all of them played football at the school.
. Current NFL players from Kent State include:
Former Golden Flashes football players
Other Kent State products in the NFL
Kent State Golden Flashes
Kent State University's intercollegiate athletic teams are known as the Golden Flashes or simply as the Flashes. The university fields sixteen varsity athletic teams, all of whom play in the Mid-American Conference and in the NCAA's Division I...
football team is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Kent State University
Kent State University
Kent State University is a public research university located in Kent, Ohio, United States. The university has eight campuses around the northeast Ohio region with the main campus in Kent being the largest...
in Kent, Ohio
Kent, Ohio
Kent is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the largest city in Portage County. It is located along the Cuyahoga River in Northeastern Ohio on the western edge of the county. The population was 27,906 at the 2000 United States Census and 28,904 in the 2010 Census...
, USA. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
East division, which is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
's Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I-A). The Golden Flashes played their first game in 1920 and since 1969 have played their home games at Dix Stadium
Dix Stadium
Dix Stadium is a stadium in Kent, Ohio, United States. It is primarily used for American football, and is the home field of the Kent State Golden Flashes football team. It lies at the far eastern end of the KSU campus along Summit Street, just east of State Route 261 and is the center piece of...
. Darrell Hazell
Darrell Hazell
Darrell Hazell is an American college football coach. He is currently the head coach at Kent State University.A native of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, Hazell attended Muskingum University starting in the fall of 1982. He played on the football team as a starter for his final three years at the school...
, the former assistant head coach at Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
, was hired as head coach in 2010.
History
The team was founded in 1920 and played their first game against Ashland CollegeAshland University
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private, non-profit university that is located in Ashland, Ohio.The University offers 73 undergraduate majors and nine pre-professional programs. The majors include toxicology/environmental science and entrepreneurship, which are unusual for an institution of its...
, a 6-0 loss under coach Paul Chandler. Kent State would record their first win that year, but it would be in the form of a forfeit. The team would not record their first true victory until November 14, 1925, a 7-6 win over West Liberty State College
West Liberty State College
West Liberty University is a school located in West Liberty, West Virginia, United States, near Wheeling. Formerly known as West Liberty State College, West Liberty University is an institution in northern West Virginia offering a variety of degrees, undergraduate and graduate...
. Outside the forfeited win in 1920, Kent State would fail to score in their first 14 games, posting a record of 0-13-1 before finally putting points on the board in a 7-6 loss to West Liberty in 1923. During that streak, Kent State would suffer the worst loss in school history, a 118-0 loss to Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin-Wallace College
Baldwin–Wallace College is a liberal arts college in Berea, Ohio, founded in 1845. It is home to the Riemenschneider-Bach Institute and the Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music, an internationally renowned music school. The college is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Students receive a...
, also in 1923. Following the 7-6 loss to West Liberty, a new shutout streak began which lasted 8 games, in which the Flashes, then known as the "Silver Foxes" went 0-6-2. The streak began with the second most lopsided loss in school history, an 82-0 loss to Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania is a public, master's-level university that offers some doctoral programs in cooperation with Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Both institutions are members of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education...
. The streak finally ended with a 6-6 tie with the Indiana (PA) Normal School
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is a public university in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, USA. The university is northeast of Pittsburgh. It is the largest university in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is the commonwealth's fifth largest university...
in 1925, the game which preceded Kent State's first true victory. Kent State posted their first winning season in 1928, going 4-2-2.
Ohio Athletic Conference
Kent State would join the Ohio Athletic ConferenceOhio Athletic Conference
The Ohio Athletic Conference was formed in 1902 and is the third oldest athletic conference in the United States. It competes in the NCAA's Division III. Through the years, 31 schools have been members of the OAC. The enrollments of the current ten member institutions range from 1,100 to 4,500...
beginning in the 1931 season, playing in the OAC through the 1950 season except for the 1943-1945 seaons, which were cancelled due to American involvement in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Under coach G. Donald Starn, who coached Kent State from 1935-1942, the Flashes would begin to taste success, posting winning seasons in 1938 (6-2), 1940 (8-1), and 1942 (5-3). During their time in the OAC, the Flashes never won a conference title, but did finish second in 1940 with a 4-0 conference record. The team finished third in both 1948 and 1949 going 3-0 and 2-0 respectively in conference play.
Coach Trevor Rees
In 1946, the program was revived after the conclusion of World War II under coach Trevor Rees, who would coach the Flashes to their first era of consistent success. During his tenure, which lasted 18 seasons, the Flashes would post winning seasons in all but 5 of them. In 1950, the team opened their first true stadium, Memorial StadiumMemorial Stadium (Kent)
Memorial Stadium was a stadium in Kent, Ohio, USA on the campus of Kent State University that served as home of the Kent State Golden Flashes football and track and field teams from 1950 through the 1968 season...
, by defeating Marietta College
Marietta College
Marietta College is a co-educational private college in Marietta, Ohio, USA, which was the first permanent settlement of the Northwest Territory. The school offers 42 majors along with a large number of minors, all of which are grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation...
57-0. The next season saw the Golden Flashes join the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
. Rees would guide the team to its first bowl appearance in the 1954 Refrigerator Bowl. Rees coached Kent State from 1946-1963, posting a record of 92-63-5 (.591).
MAC Championship
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
inductee and former Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
middle linebacker Jack Lambert, current Alabama Crimson Tide football
Alabama Crimson Tide football
|TeamName = Alabama football |Image = Alabama Crimson Tide Logo.svg |ImageSize = 110 |Helmet = Alabama Football.png |ImageSize2 = 150 |CurrentSeason = 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team...
coach Nick Saban
Nick Saban
Nicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
, and current Missouri Tigers football
Missouri Tigers football
The Missouri Tigers football team represents the University of Missouri in NCAA Division I FBS college football. The team has competed in the North Division of the Big 12 Conference since the conference's inception in 1996...
coach Gary Pinkel
Gary Pinkel
Gary Robin Pinkel is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Missouri, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1991 to 2000, Pinkel coached at the University of Toledo, where his team won a Mid-American Conference...
, Kent State was finally able to celebrate its first—and so far only—Mid-American Conference title in 1972 followed by a trip to the 1973 Tangerine Bowl
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
. James would coach at Kent State four seasons (1971-1974), posting an overall record of 25-19-1 (.567) which included a 9-2 record in 1973. James left after the 1974 season to accept the head coaching job at the University of Washington
Washington Huskies football
College football has a long history at the University of Washington. The Washington Huskies have won 15 Pacific-10 Conference championships, seven Rose Bowl titles, and three national championships. Washington's all-time record of 653-398-50 ranks 20th by all-time winning percentage and 21st by...
, where he would ultimately win the 1991 national championship.
Inconsistencies
Following the departure of Don James, the team's fortunes began to decline. Although James' successor Dennis Fitzgerald, who coached for three seasons (1975–77), was able to lead the team to a 8–4 record and second-place MAC finish in 1976 and a winning 1977 season, by 1979 the team was once again at the bottom of the MAC, going 1–10. From 1975–1993 Kent State went had 7 different coaches with no coach lasting beyond three seasons. Also during that time period, the Flashes had three winless seasons and two 1-win seasons. Glen MasonGlen Mason
Glen O. Mason is an American football coach. Mason previously served as the head football coach at Kent State University, the University of Kansas, and the University of Minnesota, compiling a career college football record of 123–121–1.-Playing career:Mason played college football at...
was hired in 1986 and in his two seasons in Kent posted two consecutive 2nd place MAC finishes including a 7-4 overall mark in 1987, the Flashes' first winning season since 1977. Former Flashes standout Jim Corrigall
Jim Corrigall
Jim Corrigall, born May 7, 1946, in Barrie, Ontario, is a former all-star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League.-High school and college:...
began in 1994 and became the first coach since Don James to coach more than three seasons, though he lasted only four. Dean Pees was hired in 1998 and suffered through the Flashes' most recent winless season (0–11 in 1998) before leading the team to a slow recovery. In 2001 Kent State posted their first winning season since 1987 when they were led by quarterback Joshua Cribbs
Joshua Cribbs
Joshua "Josh" Cribbs is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played collegiately for Kent State University. He holds the NFL record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns...
to a 6–5 overall record, 5–3 in the MAC. Pees would leave Kent State after the 2003 season to take a job with the New England Patriots
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
; Pees is now the linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
. Head coach Doug Martin
Doug Martin (football coach)
Doug Martin is a former head football coach at Kent State University.In 2004, Martin succeeded Dean Pees as head coach of the Kent State Golden Flashes football team...
began his tenure in 2004. His best season was the 2006 season, which saw Kent State go 6–6 overall and 5–3 in the MAC, finishing second in the East division. Kent State began the 2010 season with hopes of contending for a MAC title, but early losses at Miami
Miami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
and Toledo
Toledo Rockets football
The Toledo Rockets football team is a college football program in Division I FBS, representing the University of Toledo. The Rockets compete in the Mid-American Conference. Toledo began playing football in 1917, although it did not field teams in 1931, and 1943-1945. Since the inception of the AP...
ended any hope for a title. The team did record its first-ever sell-out at Dix Stadium on October 9 when a crowd of 24,211 watched the Flashes defeat the arch-rival Akron Zips
Akron Zips football
The University of Akron Zips are a college football program representing the University of Akron that competes in NCAA Division I FBS Mid-American Conference football...
28–17 to reclaim the Wagon Wheel. In the days following a 38–3 loss at Western Michigan
Western Michigan Broncos football
The Western Michigan Broncos football program represents Western Michigan University in the Football Bowl Subdivision of Division I and the Mid-American Conference . Western Michigan has competed in football since 1906, when they played three games in their inaugural season...
, which dropped the team's record to 4–7 and 3–4, Doug Martin announced his resignation, effective at the conclusion of the season. The team responded with a 28–6 upset win over the first-place Ohio Bobcats
Ohio Bobcats football
The Ohio Bobcats football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program of Ohio University. The team represents the university as a member of the Mid-American Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, playing at the Division 1 Bowl Subdivision level...
at Dix Stadium to finish with a record of 5–7 overall and 4–4 in the MAC. Martin finished his tenure with a record of 29–53 overall and 21–35 in the MAC. Darrell Hazell
Darrell Hazell
Darrell Hazell is an American college football coach. He is currently the head coach at Kent State University.A native of Cinnaminson, New Jersey, Hazell attended Muskingum University starting in the fall of 1982. He played on the football team as a starter for his final three years at the school...
, an assistant coach at Ohio State
Ohio State Buckeyes football
The Ohio State Buckeyes football team is an intercollegiate varsity sports team of The Ohio State University. The team is a member of the Big Ten Conference of the NCAA, playing at the Division I Football Bowl Subdivision, formerly Division I-A, level. The team nickname is derived from the state...
, was hired December 20, 2010, as the team's 20th head coach.
Notable players
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
and in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
.
College football
- Lou HoltzLou HoltzLouis Leo "Lou" Holtz is a retired American football coach, and active sportscaster, author, and motivational speaker in the United States...
, former head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame Fighting IrishNotre Dame's nickname is inherited from Irish immigrant soldiers who fought in the Civil War with the Union's Irish Brigade, , recollected among other places in the poetry of Joyce Kilmer who served with one of the Irish Brigade regiments during World War I...
and South Carolina GamecocksSouth Carolina GamecocksThe University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his... - Gary PinkelGary PinkelGary Robin Pinkel is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Missouri, a position he has held since the 2001 season. From 1991 to 2000, Pinkel coached at the University of Toledo, where his team won a Mid-American Conference...
, current head football coach of the Missouri TigersMissouri TigersThe Missouri Tigers athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of the University of Missouri, located in Columbia, Missouri, United States... - Nick SabanNick SabanNicholas Lou "Nick" Saban is the head coach of the University of Alabama's Crimson Tide football team. Saban has previously served as head coach of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and three other NCAA universities: LSU, Michigan State and Toledo...
, current football head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide
Canadian Football League
- Jim CorrigallJim CorrigallJim Corrigall, born May 7, 1946, in Barrie, Ontario, is a former all-star defensive lineman in the Canadian Football League.-High school and college:...
, former Toronto ArgonautsToronto ArgonautsThe Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
player and member of Canadian Football Hall of FameCanadian Football Hall of FameThe Canadian Football Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit corporation, located in Hamilton, Ontario, that celebrates great achievements in Canadian football. It is an open to the public institution. It includes displays about the Canadian Football League, Canadian university football and Canadian...
National Football League
40 Kent State alumni have either played in or are currently playing in the National Football LeagueNational Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
—although as noted below, not all of them played football at the school.
Former players
- Jack Lambert, former Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
player and member of Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees... - Don NottinghamDon NottinghamDon Nottingham was an American football running back who played for the Baltimore Colts and Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
, former player for Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Baltimore ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
Current players
Eight former Kent State football players are currently on active NFL rosters, and two other current NFL players are Kent State alumni. In 2007, two former Flashes football players and a former Flashes basketball player were named to the Pro BowlPro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
. Current NFL players from Kent State include:
Former Golden Flashes football players
- Joshua CribbsJoshua CribbsJoshua "Josh" Cribbs is an American football wide receiver and return specialist for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He played collegiately for Kent State University. He holds the NFL record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Julian EdelmanJulian EdelmanJulian Francis Edelman is a wide receiver for the New England Patriots of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Patriots in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for Kent State as a quarterback.-Early years:Edelman was born in Redwood City, California...
, New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... - Abram ElamAbram ElamAbram Elam is an American football safety for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Notre Dame and Kent State....
, Dallas CowboysDallas CowboysThe Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas... - James Harrison, Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
- Daniel MuirDaniel Muir-Green Bay Packers:Muir was undrafted in the 2007 NFL Draft but was signed by the Green Bay Packers on May 4, 2007. In 2007, he played in three games, after becoming the only undrafted rookie to make the roster out of training camp. He recorded eight tackes, four solo for the season. He played for...
, Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... - Rico MurrayRico MurrayRico Murray is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Kent State.-Professional career:...
, Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL... - Jack WilliamsJack Williams (American football)Jack Williams is an American football cornerback who is a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Kent State....
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Usama YoungUsama YoungUsama Young is an American football free safety in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Kent State University.-Early years:...
, Cleveland BrownsCleveland BrownsThe Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jameson KonzJameson KonzJameson Konz is an American football linebacker, defensive end, and tight end who is currently playing for the Seattle Seahawks. He played college football at Kent State, playing multiple positions on both defense and offense throughout his college career...
, Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
Other Kent State products in the NFL
- Antonio GatesAntonio GatesAntonio Gates is an American football tight end for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 after playing college basketball at Kent State University...
, San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
— played basketballKent State Golden Flashes men's basketballThe Kent State Golden Flashes men's basketball team represents Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The Golden Flashes compete in the Mid-American Conference East Division and last played in the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament in 2008...
at KSU - Jermail PorterJermail PorterJermail Porter is an American football offensive lineman and former wrestler. He was last a member of the Kansas City Chiefs. Porter was not selected in the 2009 NFL Draft since he did not play college football. He was signed as a free agent by the New England Patriots on April 27, 2009. He was...
, Kansas City ChiefsKansas City ChiefsThe Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
— an All-American wrestlerCollegiate wrestlingCollegiate wrestling, sometimes known in the United States as Folkstyle wrestling, is a style of amateur wrestling practised at the collegiate and university level in the United States. Collegiate wrestling emerged from the folk wrestling styles practised in the early history of the United States...
at KSU