The University of Arkansas has a proud tradition of sending players to the NFL, with the Razorbacks now counting 269 former players drafted by the NFL since 1936. As most Arkansas sports fans are aware, two Razorbacks were drafted this year – Agim McTelvin (Denver Broncos, 95th overall) and Kamren Curl (Washington Football Team, 216th overall). The duo joined 2019 alumni like Armon Watts, Dre Greenlaw and Hjalte Froholdt in the NFL.
Overall, then, there are 19 former Razorbacks on NFL rosters for the 2020 season. Some will, of course, have better prospects than others, when it comes to making a deep run in the NFL Playoffs.
But which former Razorbacks have a chance of getting a Super Bowl ring next February in Tampa? Which University of Arkansas players can join the likes of Trey Flowers (LI, LIII) and Mitch Petrus (XLVI) as Super Bowl champions that have worn the Razorbacks jersey?
Below is a sampling of the the most-likely candidates outside of Hunter Henry and Frank Ragnow. Note that the list below contains both players on NFL active rosters, and those on practice squads who might not get activated in the 2020 season.
Dre Greenlaw, Chase Harrell – 49ers 16/1
Greenlaw made an impressive mark in his rookie season for the 49ers last year, and he seemed to grow in confidence as the season progressed. He should get plenty of game time for the team ranked as the No. 4 overall favorites to win the Super Bowl. In fact, after week 1, Pro Football Focus ranked Greenlaw as the top linebacker out of the class of 2019. Tight end Chase Harrell, meanwhile, is in the 49ers practice squad — but rule changes for the 2020 season mean he could get activated at any moment as teams are afforded more flexibility.
Jeremiah Ledbetter – Buccaneers 18/1
Injury issues have hurt Ledbetter’s career since he has drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2017, and he has bounced around a bit before signing for the Buccaneers for a second time in 2019. He’s back in the practice squad for the moment, but, as mentioned above, there will be more chances for practice squad players this season. The Bucs bounced back from a Week 1 defeat with a big win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2. Sportsbooks seem to be taking a wait and see approach with the Buccaneers, given the roster overhaul preseason with quarterback Tom Brady as the headliner. Still, we expect Ledbetter to remain on the margins, regardless of which way the season goes for the Buccaneers.
Hjalte Froholdt, Deatrich Wise, Jr – Patriots 22/1
Both Froholdt and Wise are active on the Patriots’ roster for the 2020 season. Wise already has a Super Bowl ring in his pocket as he was part of a mean defense that kept the LA Rams at bay in Super Bowl LIII. Froholdt actually worked as a broadcaster in his native Denmark for that game, but he will hope to be on the other side of the camera as he starts his career with the new-look Patriots.
Randy Ramsey, De’Jon Harris – Packers 16/1
We are getting into the territory of shock Super Bowl winners here, but the Packers’ odds have shifted dramatically since the summer after going 2-0 to start the season. They were 25/1 to win Super Bowl LV, but wins over the Lions and Vikings have meant the Packers have moved up in contention. Defense is suspect, though, which is something to factor in when backing an NFL team to go all the way. Linebacker Randy Ramsey spent last year with the Packers’ practice squad, but he has been activated for the 53-man roster for the 2020 season. Injury ruled him out of Game 1, but he is expected to make his NFL debut sooner rather than later. Harris was with the Patriots before switching to the Packers’ practice squad late this summer.
Jason Peters – Philadelphia Eagles – 40/1
Here’s a mountain of a man who has already climbed to the top of the summit with his team, although Peters did not play in Super Bowl LII for the Eagles due to a ruptured Achilles. Peters was drafted all the way back in 2004 by the Bills, but he has become a fan favorite – and something of a locker room leader – since joining the Eagles back in 2009. He made the NFL Team of the Decade (2010-2019), but does he have enough time left in his career to get another Super Bowl ring? It would be nice to see the lovable former Razorback get a chance to play in a Super Bowl before he ends his career.
See more about all the Pro Hogs of 2020 here:
