John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
John Taylor, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and developer of the "Taylor Rule" for setting interest rates | Stanford University
Stanford has a rich tradition of success in the NFL, and that tradition continues entering the 2024 NFL season. There are 27 former Cardinal actively signed with NFL organizations, including several prominent players.
Christian McCaffrey is at the top of the list. He has become one of the most valuable players in the league following his trade from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. His performance reached new levels in 2023, leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,459) and scoring 21 touchdowns en route to winning the league's Offensive Player of the Year award.
During the season, McCaffrey tied a 60-year-old NFL record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown by scoring in 17 straight games, tying the mark that Lenny Moore set from 1963-64. McCaffrey reached Super Bowl LVIII with San Francisco and was in contention for Super Bowl MVP after compiling 160 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown.
One of the best tacklers in the league is a former Cardinal. Bobby Okereke joined the New York Giants last season and finished ninth in the NFL in total tackles with 149. He also set career highs in forced fumbles (4.5), sacks (2.5), and tied a career-best with two interceptions.
Okereke joins Harrison Phillips of the Minnesota Vikings as former Cardinal named team captains in 2024.
Paulson Adebo was one of the leaders of a solid New Orleans Saints defense last season, tying for seventh in the league with four interceptions. The third-year cornerback also set a career-high with 76 tackles and 18 passes defended, more than doubling his career numbers in that department.
Staying on defense, Justin Reid became the 19th former Cardinal to appear in multiple Super Bowls by playing for the Kansas City Chiefs against McCaffrey and the 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. With this win, he became only the fourth Stanford alum to win back-to-back Super Bowls, joining John Elway, Darrien Gordon, and Ed McCaffrey who achieved this feat with Denver Broncos during their 1997-98 seasons.
Several former Card tight ends switched teams during offseason moves. Zach Ertz joins Washington Commanders ahead of his twelfth season; Austin Hooper heads east to join New England Patriots; Colby Parkinson joins Joshua Karty at Los Angeles Rams.
Thomas Booker (Philadelphia Eagles), Andrus Peat (Las Vegas Raiders), and Casey Toohill (Buffalo Bills) also joined new squads during offseason transitions.
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