This week, all 32 NFL teams were in action for the 2026 NFL Preseason, and Week 1 saw some former WVU Football players shine as they competed to make their respective 53-man rosters. Read more: Bishop, Coats, and Greene headline Mountaineer performances in Week 1 of NFL Preseason.
According to ESPN’s database of “NFL Players by College,” 17 former Mountaineers are rostered across 12 different teams.
The truth is that a lot of these players are fighting to make it through the final cuts. A handful of players are already making a solid case to compete in the upcoming season that officially kicks off in September.
Related: 15 Mountaineers battle for NFL roster spots as OTAs wrap up
Former Mountaineers total three picks in one contest
The game of the week for ties to West Virginia was certainly the game between the Cleveland Browns and the Chicago Bears.
Two former Mountaineers played a major role defensively for their respective squads; Michael Coats Jr. (Browns) and Beanie Bishop Jr. (Bears).
Coats and Bishop together had a combined three interceptions. Additionally, they were the only two players to get a pick in the game.
In the second quarter, the Browns led the Bears 10-7. Chicago began to pressure this lead with a good drive, but Coats would protect Cleveland’s lead with his first professional interception.
The pick came off a short pass from Martinsburg, West Virginia, native Tyson Bagent with two minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Fast forward to the fourth quarter, the Browns had a lot of catch-up to play as the Bears led, 24-10.
In the Browns’ first drive of the quarter, Shedeur Sanders threw a deep pass that was intercepted by Bishop, who carried it for 34 yards.
Then on Cleveland’s second drive of the quarter, Bishop picked off a deep pass from Dylan Gabriel and went 21 yards.
The Bears would shut out the Browns in the second half and win its first preseason contest of the 2026 season 34-10.
Coats played one season with WVU and was signed to the Cleveland Browns this offseason as an undrafted free agent.
Related: Mountaineers headed to the NFL: One signing, five camp invites
Bishop played for the Mountaineers in 2023 and was signed as an undrafted free agent to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 before joining the Bears this offseason.
Former Mountaineers long snapper Rex Sunahara was also in action for the Browns in this game. Linebacker Tony Fields II, who also played for WVU, is rostered with the Bears but did not play.
Former WVU quarterback turned leading receiver
Another game that saw multiple former Mountaineers take the field was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs the New York Jets.
One WVU Football alumnus in particular, Garrett Greene, stood out in this contest. He was the leading receiver in the game.
Off four receptions, Greene totaled 54 yards. His longest reception of the day was 35 yards, which came from fellow Big 12 representative Jalon Daniels, who tore up WVU’s defense just a year ago.
Greene had 30 more yards than the second-leading Tampa Bay receiver and 17 more than New York’s leading receiver.
Greene also was the kick returner for the Buccaneers’ first drive of the second quarter, carrying the ball 28 yards.
In five seasons with the Mountaineers, Greene was a quarterback. He then transitioned to wide receiver when he signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buccaneers in 2025.
Former Mountaineer linebacker Chase Wilson, who signed with the Jets as an undrafted free agent this offseason, also saw some snaps in the game. He had one tackle.
The Buccaneers defeated the Jets 24-16.
WVU legends Geno Smith (New York Jets) and David Sills V (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) are rostered with these teams but did not take the field. Smith is the projected starting QB for the New York Jets.
Related: 30 days, 30 legends: Top 30 WVU Football players of all time
Other active former Mountaineers in the NFL
Six other Mountaineers made appearances this week:
Defensive tackle Fatorma Mulbah appeared for the Miami Dolphins and had two tackles and three assists.
Offensive tackle Doug Nester and center Zach Frazier both tallied snaps for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Offensive guard Wyatt Milum saw a limited number of snaps with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but is very likely to make the 53-man roster.
Wide receiver Jeff Weimer played for the Kansas City Chiefs this week and had one reception for eight yards.
Lastly, long snapper Austin Brinkman was active for the Houston Texans.
Additionally, three rostered players did not make appearances this week. Those include cornerback Rasul Douglas (Washington Commanders), offensive tackle Colton McKivitz (San Francisco 49ers), and Defensive Tackle Dante Stills (Arizona Cardinals).
The fight to make the final cut continues next week for these players. Final rosters will be announced by 6 p.m. on August 30.
Related: You may want an immediate answer at quarterback, but Rodriguez isn’t showing you his hand
We will keep you updated as more news comes from active Mountaineers in the NFL.
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