BATON ROUGE — A total of 34 former LSU players will be on active rosters in the National Football League when the season starts on Thursday night.
The list of 34 players on active NFL rosters includes a group of eight rookies who were members of the winningest senior class in LSU history from 2001-2005. The list of LSU rookies in the NFL is led by defensive tackle Kyle Williams, who is listed as a starter for the Buffalo Bills going into their opener against the New England Patriots on Sunday.
Also among the former Tigers who made NFL rosters this year include a pair of undrafted free agent rookies in center Rudy Niswanger (Chiefs) and defensive back Ronnie Prude (Ravens).
The list of Tigers in the NFL stretches to 39 when practice squad players are taken into account. The Tigers have five players starting the 2006 season on practice squads around the league ? Skyler Green (Cowboys), Cameron Vaughn (Broncos) E.J. Kuale (Saints), Nate Livings (Bengals) and Ben Wilkerson (Bengals.).
All-Pro center Kevin Mawae (Titans) leads all former Tigers in the NFL in terms of longevity as he begins his 14th season in the pro ranks. Defensive back Tory James (Bengals) and wide receiver Eddie Kennison (Chiefs) each start their 12th season in the league this year.
A total of 16 former Tigers are listed as starting for their respective teams, including three for the Bills. Joining Williams as a starter for the Bills are tight end Robert Royal and wide receiver Josh Reed.
Four of those former LSU players will be on display in starting roles on Thursday night when the Dolphins travel to face the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the first NFL game of the year. Defensive back Ryan Clark and offensive tackle Alan Faneca will start for the Steelers, while defensive back Travis Daniels and punter Donnie Jones will start for the Dolphins.
The Patriots and the Bengals employ the most former LSU players as both franchises have five Tigers on their roster. All five LSU players on the Patriots roster are active, while three of the five on the Bengals roster are active.
In all, the Tigers are represented by at least one player on rosters of 21 of the 32 NFL franchises.