Florida State Professional Athletes

Benson's Arizona Chapter Ends Quietly

The most jarring headline for Florida State alumni this week came out of the desert. The Arizona Cardinals released running back Trey Benson with an injury designation, closing a frustrating two-year chapter for the former third-round pick who was drafted as the heir apparent to James Conner. Injuries derailed Benson at nearly every turn in Arizona, and the Cardinals — navigating life in arguably the NFL's toughest division — ultimately decided they couldn't wait any longer. Whether another team takes a flier on the 23-year-old remains to be seen, but the release stings for a prospect whose college tape once made him look like a steal.

Sweat Gets His Shot

In a bittersweet twist, the Cardinals simultaneously gave another former Seminole reason to celebrate. Arizona activated pass rusher Josh Sweat off the active/PUP list this week, clearing him to resume full practice participation. Sweat, described as one of the team's hidden gems and quietly indispensable edge presences, had been sidelined as the roster took shape around him. His return gives the Cardinals a legitimate pass-rush option at a position of need — and lends some credibility to the idea that Arizona isn't simply waving the white flag in the NFC West.

Ramsey Returns, Then Turns Up the Volume

Up in Pittsburgh, Jalen Ramsey's week was eventful for reasons both on and off the practice field. The Steelers activated the veteran cornerback off their PUP list, getting one of their most experienced defensive backs back in the mix as the preseason winds down.

But Ramsey didn't stop there. He also made headlines by publicly calling on Pittsburgh to pay cornerback Joey Porter Jr., who is entering the final year of his rookie deal amid what head coach Mike McCarthy described as a contract "impasse." Ramsey — who knows a thing or two about navigating the business side of the NFL — put the Steelers on notice in no uncertain terms. It's the kind of veteran credibility move that carries weight in an NFL locker room, and it signals that Pittsburgh's secondary culture runs deeper than just playing the scheme.

Winston Flashes, Uiagalelei Stakes a Claim

Elsewhere, Jameis Winston had a strong preseason outing for the Giants against the Dolphins — 150 yards through the air and a rushing touchdown in a 26-3 win — keeping the former No. 1 overall pick in the conversation for a backup role or more in New York.

Over in Los Angeles, DJ Uiagalelei — listed as a linebacker on the Chargers' roster but making noise as a quarterback — outperformed Trey Lance in the preseason finale, strengthening his case to serve as Justin Herbert's backup. The LA Times noted Uiagalelei made a compelling argument for QB2, a remarkable trajectory for a player whose college career at Clemson ended in controversy before landing at FSU and righting the ship.

The Bigger Picture

Five former Seminoles generating legitimate NFL news in a single preseason week is a testament to the pipeline Tallahassee has built — even if the week carried mixed emotions. Benson's release is a reminder of how quickly NFL dreams can unravel; Sweat's activation and Ramsey's return are reminders of why teams keep investing in FSU talent in the first place.

Florida State NFL Roundup | Aug. 16–22, 2026

Florida State's NFL alumni made headlines this preseason for wildly different reasons — one climbing the league's prestige rankings, two others navigating the injury report in ways that could define their roster futures.

Burns Is the Standard

If there's a pecking order among active Seminoles in the NFL, Brian Burns just posted his résumé at the top of it. The Giants pass rusher was voted No. 14 on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2026 list — peer-voted, which makes it mean something — after recording a career-high 16.5 sacks last season. He's the only Giant to crack the list.

Burns didn't show any signs of coasting on that reputation this week, either. During a joint practice against the Dolphins, he was part of a Giants defensive unit that recorded more than six sacks in a session that turned contentious — and he wasn't satisfied afterward. That edge is exactly what got him to No. 14.

Coleman's Foot Puts Bills on Alert

In Buffalo, the mood around Keon Coleman is more anxious. The second-year wide receiver was spotted in a walking boot and held out of practice on Aug. 18 with a foot injury. The Bills' coaching staff tried to temper concern — early reports indicated the situation isn't as severe as the boot suggests — but that kind of imagery during training camp has a way of lingering.

Coleman entered this preseason as Buffalo's starting wideout. His absence was significant enough that outlets were already drawing up lists of free-agent receivers the Bills might need to sign as contingency options. Until Coleman gets back on the field without restriction, his hold on that starting role stays in question.

Wilson's Philadelphia Chapter Appears Over

Johnny Wilson's time with the Eagles looks finished. The former sixth-round pick was waived with an injury designation before the week was out, then reverted to the Eagles' injured reserve list. It's another injury-derailed chapter for Wilson, who hasn't been able to stay healthy long enough to establish himself at the pro level. Landing on IR at least provides him a lifeline to return later in the season if the Eagles choose to activate him, but the path to a real role in Philadelphia has narrowed considerably.

Around the Rest of the 'Noles

A few other FSU alumni generated smaller headlines. Browns linebacker Jared Verse impressed Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins enough during joint practices that Dawkins called him out by name — a notable endorsement from a veteran lineman. Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald hit a 61-yard field goal in a preseason game against the Jaguars, staking his claim to that roster spot with a long-distance statement. And over in the AFC West, FSU alum DJ Uiagalelei — listed at LB but operating as a quarterback — is in a tight battle with Trey Lance for the Chargers' backup QB job, per head coach Jim Harbaugh.

The full picture of FSU's NFL class won't come into focus until rosters cut to 53, but this week offered a preview of who's trending up and who's running out of time.

The Verse Effect

Florida State's most talked-about NFL alumnus right now isn't just making noise — he's making news on multiple fronts simultaneously. Jared Verse, the former Seminole pass-rusher who was traded to the Cleveland Browns ahead of the 2026 season, landed at No. 35 on the NFL Top 100 — a peer-voted list that signals just how quickly his reputation has grown. A two-time Pro Bowler who isn't yet a household name to casual fans, Verse appears determined to change that.

His confidence ahead of the season borders on theatrical. "I'm ready to see the look on everybody's face," Verse said, according to Yahoo Sports — a quote that lands differently when you consider he's now the centerpiece of a Browns defense that just dealt away Myles Garrett. Verse has been explicit that he's not interested in replacement narratives. He wants to win, lead, and build something in Cleveland on his own terms.

That competitive edge spilled over during training camp this week. Verse was involved in a physical altercation with rookie offensive tackle Spencer Fano during a Browns practice — the kind of training camp scuffle that, depending on who's involved, reads either as a red flag or a sign of a pass-rusher locked in. Given everything else Verse has shown this offseason, it reads as the latter.

Around the League

The Verse spotlight is bright, but other 'Noles are worth tracking as camp rolls on.

Asante Samuel Jr. is quietly forcing his way into a major role with the Pittsburgh Steelers. According to Yahoo Sports, the FSU corner has been "undeniable" in training camp, carving out a larger footprint than his roster position might have suggested heading into the summer. Samuel Jr. has the bloodlines (son of former All-Pro Asante Samuel) and the talent — now he's putting the two together at the right moment.

In New York, Brian Burns is dealing with a limited workload at Giants camp due to injury, per Yahoo Sports. The former FSU edge rusher had been one of the more anticipated players on a Giants defense with questions to answer, so any missed reps are worth monitoring as the preseason unfolds.

Out in Arizona, Trey Benson is raising some eyebrows for the wrong reasons. The Cardinals running back has missed back-to-back training camp practices, and Arizona responded by signing Evan Hull — a move that signals at least some organizational concern. Cardinals brass hasn't sounded the alarm publicly, but the timing warrants attention.

Josh Sweat, another FSU product now with the Cardinals, remains on the active/physically unable to perform list with a knee issue. Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said he's not worried about Sweat's availability for the Week 1 opener on September 13 — but "not worried" and "ready to roll" are different things, and Sweat's status will be worth watching.

And in Houston, Mario Edwards is returning to the Texans after the team agreed to re-sign the veteran defensive lineman, per Pro Football Talk. A quiet move in a busy week, but Edwards gives Houston a familiar presence along the defensive front.

The Takeaway

FSU's NFL alumni class is wide and active — but right now, all roads lead back to Verse. No. 35 on the Top 100, a punishing presence at Browns camp, and an unmistakable chip on his shoulder. Seminole fans should be paying close attention to Cleveland this fall.