Florida State Professional Athletes

Florida State's NFL alumni made headlines in all directions during the opening weeks of the 2026 season — and not always for the right reasons.

Keon Coleman: Primetime Star, Then a Scary Exit

The biggest FSU story of the week belonged to Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman, who delivered his most consistent professional performance in Buffalo's Thursday night showdown with Detroit — and then sent fans holding their breath.

Coleman hauled in 6 catches for 63 yards against the Lions, stepping up in a significant role after DJ Moore was sidelined. The third-year wideout earned widespread praise for his poise and reliability on the big stage, with coaches and analysts noting that his performance was less about the raw numbers and more about the consistent execution he brought on every route. The Bills won 41-31.

But the night turned alarming in the second quarter when Coleman went down with an injury that drew an immediate hush across the stadium. Updates on his status emerged slowly, and the severity remains a storyline to monitor heading into Week 3.

Coleman had a quieter showing in Week 1 — just 1 catch for 1 yard in Buffalo's 36-31 win over Houston — making his Thursday night breakout all the more meaningful, and his exit all the more deflating.

Jared Verse: A Rough Welcome to Cleveland

Across the league, Jared Verse was enduring a debut to forget. The Browns' marquee offseason addition failed to make the impact Cleveland had envisioned in a 34-10 blowout loss to Jacksonville. Verse, acquired to anchor a retooled defensive front, was largely neutralized by the Jaguars' offensive line. It was one game, but the margin of defeat and Verse's invisibility in it set an uncomfortable early tone for a player expected to be a cornerstone of the Cleveland defense.

Brian Burns Talks Strategy Ahead of Giants-Cowboys Opener

On the other side of the ledger, Giants pass rusher Brian Burns entered Week 1 with something to say. Burns revealed the New York defensive game plan for stopping Dallas, identifying what the Cowboys were "so concerned" about heading into the high-profile NFC East opener. The Giants came away with a 28-20 victory, a result that validated at least some of Burns' pregame confidence.

It was a notable week off the field for Burns as well, with his mother Angela opening up publicly about game-day nerves and her own advocacy work — a reminder that Burns' profile extends well beyond the field.

Around the Rest of the Roster

Mario Edwards Jr. drew league discipline after a hit on Bills quarterback Josh Allen in Houston's Week 1 loss — a fine that underscored the fine line defensive linemen walk in today's NFL. Josh Sweat, now with the Cardinals, responded to a noisy offseason with a quiet statement: Arizona knocked off the Chargers 26-14 in Week 1, with Sweat part of a defense that held Derwin James Jr. and the LA offense in check. The two former Seminoles ended up on opposite sidelines in the same game — with Sweat's squad walking away with the win.

Jacob Rizy, the rookie offensive lineman out of FSU, was waived from the Patriots' practice squad during the week, a quiet but notable roster move in New England.

It was a week that captured everything FSU's NFL contingent represents right now: genuine star power, rising expectations, and the constant volatility of early-season football.

Florida State's NFL pipeline is running hot heading into the 2026 season. From Cleveland's defensive backfield to Arizona's trade war room to New York's prestige rankings, three Seminoles in particular are commanding league-wide attention — and a handful of others are quietly carving out roster spots worth tracking.

Jared Verse: Cleveland's Defensive Anchor

The biggest ask of any FSU alum this season falls on Jared Verse. The Browns edge rusher has been tabbed as the team's defensive X-factor following the blockbuster departure of Myles Garrett — who was dealt to the Rams in a deal that sent shockwaves through the league this offseason. Verse, an All-Pro newcomer in Cleveland, is now expected to anchor a pass rush that leaned heavily on Garrett's generational production. Those are enormous shoes. Whether the former Seminole can fill them — even partially — may define Cleveland's defensive ceiling in 2026.

For Rams DE Braden Fiske, the Garrett trade carried a different sting. Fiske admitted in a team meeting that learning Garrett was headed to Los Angeles — and that Verse was part of the package leaving — "really sucked." It's a telling detail: Verse had already earned the respect of peers who knew what his absence meant.

Josh Sweat: The Trade Saga That Won't Die

No FSU alumni story has generated more offseason noise than Josh Sweat's situation in Arizona. The veteran pass rusher, fresh off his departure from Philadelphia, has been at the center of persistent trade speculation since landing with the Cardinals — a team still searching for its competitive footing.

The loudest rumor linked Sweat to Green Bay, fueled in part by his existing relationship with Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon. Packers GM Brian Gutekunst killed it emphatically, saying publicly that talks with Arizona never happened. Yet the trade chatter hasn't fully dissipated — multiple outlets have floated NFC contenders as potential suitors, and Sports Illustrated reported that Arizona is keeping the door "open," even if the team's official posture is that Sweat isn't available.

The Cardinals appear to be holding firm — for now. But if Arizona's season goes sideways early, Sweat's name will be back in the rumor mill before October.

Brian Burns: Earning His Spot Among the NFL's Best

While Verse navigates pressure and Sweat navigates trade rumors, Brian Burns is simply being recognized. The Giants linebacker landed on ESPN's list of the top players heading into the 2026 season — one of two Giants honored, alongside offensive lineman Andrew Thomas. It's a quiet but meaningful nod to Burns' standing as one of the better edge defenders in the NFC, and a sign that his transition to New York has been viewed as a success by the people paid to evaluate talent league-wide.

Around the Roster

Beyond the marquee trio: Derwin James was named one of 10 Chargers captains for 2026, a recognition of his veteran leadership in Los Angeles. Keon Coleman received an encouraging injury update from Buffalo two days after final roster cuts — Bills fans will want to monitor his availability heading into Week 1. Bobby Hart landed on the Seahawks' practice squad as veteran tackle depth. Renardo Green remains sidelined for San Francisco with an injury. And DJ Uiagalelei, listed as an LB for the Chargers, was waived as Los Angeles finalized its depth chart — Trey Lance reportedly winning the backup quarterback competition that pushed Uiagalelei out.

For a program still rebuilding on the field in Tallahassee, the NFL footprint remains wide and active. The Verse-Sweat-Burns trio alone gives Seminoles fans plenty to follow before a snap is played in anger.

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.