Players with central Valley ties in NFL camps

Twenty-two former Fresno State football standouts are in NFL training camps, hoping to cement their status on their respective teams.

In all, the camp count features 37 players who played high school, JC or college football in the central San Joaquin Valley.

That includes five selected in this year’s NFL Draft — former Bulldogs stars Tyeler Davison (New Orleans Saints), Cody Wichmann (St. Louis Rams) and Derron Smith (Cincinnati Bengals), ex-Hoover High star Eric Kendricks and College of the Sequoias alum Steven Nelson (Kansas City Chiefs).

Among those on the outside looking in is linebacker Kyle Knox (Fresno State), a free agent who, if signed, will have to serve a four-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.

Here is a look at who’s where as the countdown continues to the first exhibitions this weekend and the start of the regular season Sept. 10:

BUFFALO BILLS

S Wesley Miller, Memorial: Earned tryout this offseason with Bills, who then signed the 5-foot-9 former Texas-El Paso standout. Buffalo coach Rex Ryan compared him to Jim Leonhard, who played 10 seasons in the NFL. Miller led Miners in tackles (74), solo stops (42) and interceptions (two); and he tied for second with six pass break-ups in 2014.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

LB Ben Jacobs, Fresno State: Back for third season in Carolina. Played every game a year ago, mostly on special teams. Led way with nine special-teams tackles; added one tackle on defense. Played in NFC wild-card game versus Arizona and NFC Divisional playoff at Seattle.

CHICAGO BEARS

WR Marquess Wilson, Tulare: Bears GM Ryan Pace told reporters that the former Washington State product could play at multiple spots. Selected in seventh round in 2013 draft, he played seven games last season after being delayed by collarbone injury in camp and finished with 17 receptions for 140 yards and a TD. Signed through 2016.

TE Bear Pascoe, Granite Hills/Fresno State: Spent last season in Atlanta and viewed as blocking specialist. Entering seventh season overall, having appeared in 82 games with 34 starts with New York Giants (2009-13) and Falcons (2014), recording 40 receptions for 336 yards and two touchdowns. Has played at least 15 games in each of the past five seasons, including all 16 in 2011, 2013-14.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

LB Chris Carter, Fresno State: Briefly with Indianapolis last season after his release from Pittsburgh. Caught on with Bengals late and saw postseason action. Had three special-teams tackles over three regular-season appearances. Entered NFL in 2011 as fifth-round pick by Steelers and played in 29 games with four starts from 2011-13.

S Derron Smith, Fresno State: Enters rookie year after being drafted in sixth round. Hampered by hernia injury at Fresno State last season but now reportedly 100%. Started all 14 games for Bulldogs in 2014 and was second in tackles with 93 and named first-team All-Mountain West.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

WR Marlon Moore, Fresno State: Saw action as kick returner and special-teams contributor last season. Originally signed by Miami as undrafted free agent and has played 43 career games, with two starts, recording 19 receptions for 306 yards and two TDs.

DALLAS COWBOYS

FB Tyler Clutts, Clovis/Fresno State: Re-signed in May and is back for third season with team. Picked up touchdown against Green Bay in postseason.

WR Deontay Greenberry, Washington: Signed as undrafted free agent after finishing with 72 catches for 841 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season at University of Houston. Had two TDs in come-from-behind win over Pitt in Armed Forces Bowl.

DENVER BRONCOS

TE Virgil Green, Tulare: Enters fifth season with Denver. Attended Peyton Manning’s offseason workouts at Duke in April.

WR/PR Isaiah Burse, Fresno State: Modesto Christian alum back for second NFL season. Played in 12 games a year ago, averaging 7.3 yards on 29 punt returns.

TE Marcel Jensen, Fresno State: Spent last season with Jacksonville. Along with Green, part of group of five TE’s in camp.

DETROIT LIONS

TE David Ausberry, Lemoore: Now in his fifth season the NFL after getting drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the seventh round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Spent the first four years of his career with the Raiders, where he played in 34 games and had 11 receptions for 120 yards. Was signed by the Lions as an unrestricted free agent in June.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

WR Davante Adams, Fresno State: Played in all 16 games with 11 starts as a rookie in 2014, hauling in 38 receptions for 446 yards and three TDs. Set franchise postseason single-game records for most catches and receiving yards by a rookie when he posted seven grabs for 117 yards and a TD in NFC Divisional victory vs. Dallas.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

QB Jeff Tuel, Clovis West: Jags have four QBs in camp. Tuel originally was with Buffalo, then was claimed by Jacksonville in June. Appeared in two games with one start after signing with Bills as undrafted free agent out of Washington State in 2013.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

CB Steven Nelson, COS: Two-year starter for Oregon State who twice earned All-Pac-12 honors was picked in third round of draft.

QB Tyler Bray, Kingsburg: Tore his ACL in his left knee in January, but is in training camp working out. He spent last season on injured reserve after spraining an ankle in preseason.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LB Eric Kendricks, Hoover: Led Football Bowl Subdivision with 149 solo tackles in senior season at UCLA en route to winning Butkus Award as nation’s top linebacker. Also left as Bruins career-leading tackler with 481 before being taken by Vikings in second round of 2015 draft.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

OL Ryan Wendell, Fresno State: Now in seventh season with Patriots. Signed to 53-man roster from practice squad in December 2009. Originally signed as free agent in May 2008.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

OT Bryce Harris, Tulare/Fresno State: Started two games last season and has appeared in 34 for his career. Enters fourth year with Saints after being signed off Atlanta practice squad in 2012.

DE Tyeler Davison, Fresno State: Fifth-round pick in 2015. Three-time All-Mountain West selection earned first-team honors in 2012 and 2014. Made 40 career starts for Bulldogs, starting every game over final three seasons.

WR Jalen Saunders, Fresno State: Appeared in six games for the Jets before going to the Saints in Week 12 off the Seahawks’ practice squad. Spent two seasons with Fresno State before going to Oklahoma. Was a a fourth-round selection by the Jets in the 2014 NFL Draft,

NEW YORK GIANTS

P Robert Malone, Fresno State: Originally signed by Jacksonville as undrafted free agent in 2010. Saw time with Tampa Bay, Detroit, San Diego, New York Jets and Washington. Will battle veteran Steve Weatherford, who has spent past four seasons with the Giants.

NEW YORK JETS

DT Sheldon Richardson, COS: Due to enter his third season with team, but is suspended for first four games for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. Recently was charged with resisting arrest and various traffic violations, which could lead to extension of ban.

OAKLAND RAIDERS

QB Derek Carr, Fresno State: Enters second season after grabbing No. 1 job in camp a year ago. Carr, who prepped at Bakersfield Christian, started all 16 games while setting franchise rookie records in every major passing category. Completed 348 of 599 passes for 3,270 yards and 21 TDs, with 12 interceptions and a passer rating of 76.6.

WR Josh Harper, Fresno State: Went undrafted, but San Jose native didn’t wait long before landing with Raiders. With the Bulldogs, Harper played in 41 games with 30 starts, ranking second on career list with 228 receptions and 29 TD catches and sixth with 2,938 receiving yards.

S Tevin McDonald, Edison: Signed in May as undrafted free agent. Played two years at Eastern Washington after transferring from UCLA. In 23 games at Eastern Washington, totaled 121 tackles (80 solo), four INTs, one sack, four tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and nine passes defensed.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

S Robert Golden, Edison: Back after signing one-year restricted free-agent tender in April. Came to Steelers as undrafted free agent out of Arizona in 2012. Has played in every game past two seasons, but could miss time this season because he suffered what head coach Mike Tomlin described as a “significant” injury at practice on Wednesday.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

LB Mychal Kendricks, Hoover: Led team with 83 combined tackles and tied for third with three forced fumbles and had four sacks in third season with Eagles.

RB Ryan Mathews, Fresno State: Arrives on three-year deal after five seasons with San Diego, which made ex-West High star a first-round pick in 2010. In five seasons with Chargers, Mathews appeared in 60 games with 52 starts, tallied 4,061 yards and 23 TDs on 923 carries and had 146 catches for 1,110 yards and a TD.

WR Seyi Ajirotutu, Fresno State: Originally signed as free agent by San Diego in 2010. Has appeared in 57 games with two starts over his five-year career, totaling 420 yards and three touchdowns on 24 catches.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

G-T Kenny Wiggins, Fresno State: Was on the practice squad with the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers and the Chargers. Spent the second half of the 2013 season on the Chargers’ active roster, including the playoffs, but didn’t appear in any games. Made his NFL debut on special teams last season at Kansas City.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

TE Anthony McCoy, Bullard: Hasn’t played past two seasons because of Achilles’ tendon tears. Ex-USC starter will battle for backup role in Seattle, with three tight ends in the fold.

ST. LOUIS RAMS

S T.J. McDonald, Edison: Enters third NFL season, all with Rams. Has started all 26 games in which he has appeared. Last season, USC alum started every game and led secondary in tackles with 136 — his first 100-plus tackle season.

OL Cody Wichmann, Fresno State: Selected by Rams in sixth round of 2015 draft. Started 50 games at Fresno State after being recruited out of Mariposa High, second most by any Bulldog in past eight years.

WR Devon Wylie, Fresno State: Added to practice squad in October after spending time with San Francisco. Appeared in a career-high six games with Kansas City in 2012. The Rams ended up waiving Wylie on Wednesday.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

OL Logan Mankins, Fresno State: Going into 11th season, Mariposa High alum has played in 146 games. Enters second season with Bucs after August 2014 trade ended nine-year run with New England. Six-time Pro Bowl and five-time All-Pro selection.

TENNESSEE TITANS

CB Curtis Riley, Fresno State: Signed this offseason as undrafted free agent. Played in 26 games with 19 starts in two years at Fresno State. Totaled 106 tackles (10 for loss), with one interception, 16 passes defensed, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one sack.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS

S Phillip Thomas, Fresno State: Drafted in fourth round in 2013. Waived by Redskins last August before getting signed back to practice squad. Returned to active roster in November. Starred at Bakersfield High before joining Bulldogs, where he was named Mountain West Defensive Player of Year and became school’s first unanimous All-American in 2012. The Redskins, however, waived Thomas on Wednesday.

This story was originally published August 3, 2015 at 10:25 PM with the headline "Players with central Valley ties in NFL camps."