Stanford University maintains a strong legacy of NFL talent as the 2024 season approaches, with 27 former players currently signed to NFL teams, including several notable athletes.
At the forefront is Christian McCaffrey, who has solidified his status as one of the league’s premier players after his trade from the Carolina Panthers to the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. His 2023 performance was exceptional, leading the NFL with 1,459 rushing yards and scoring 21 touchdowns, which earned him the Offensive Player of the Year title. McCaffrey also made history by tying a 60-year-old record for the most consecutive games with a touchdown, scoring in 17 straight games, equaling Lenny Moore’s record from 1963-64. He reached Super Bowl LVIII with the 49ers and was a contender for Super Bowl MVP, totaling 160 scrimmage yards and one touchdown in the game.
Bobby Okereke, another standout former Cardinal, joined the New York Giants last season and ranked ninth in the league with 149 total tackles. He also achieved personal bests with 4.5 forced fumbles, 2.5 sacks, and tied his career high with two interceptions. Okereke is now among the former Stanford players who have been named team captains in 2024, along with Harrison Phillips of the Minnesota Vikings.
Paulson Adebo played a critical role in the New Orleans Saints defense last season, tying for seventh in the NFL with four interceptions. The third-year cornerback also set a career-high with 76 tackles and defended 18 passes, significantly increasing his previous totals in those areas.
On the defensive end, Justin Reid became the 19th former Stanford player to appear in multiple Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LVIII against McCaffrey and the 49ers. Following the Chiefs’ victory, Reid joined notable Stanford alumni John Elway, Darrien Gordon, and Ed McCaffrey as one of four players to win back-to-back Super Bowls, having achieved this with the 1997-98 Denver Broncos.
Several former Cardinal tight ends made team changes in the offseason. Zach Ertz signed with the Washington Commanders as he heads into his 12th NFL season. Another notable tight end, Austin Hooper, has moved to the New England Patriots, while Colby Parkinson also changed teams, joining the Los Angeles Rams.
Additionally, Thomas Booker (Philadelphia Eagles), Andrus Peat (Las Vegas Raiders), and Casey Toohill (Buffalo Bills) have also found new teams during the offseason.