Ohio University Professional Athletes

For Ohio University alumni tracking the NFL, the most notable movement this week came in the NFC South, where running back Anthony Tyus III completed a swift round trip back to the Carolina Panthers following an abrupt release from the Detroit Lions.

Tyus III's return to Carolina was confirmed during the October 4–10 window, not long after the Panthers and Lions squared off in a 32–26 Carolina win on Sunday, October 4. The timing adds a layer of intrigue — Tyus III is now back on the roster of the team that just knocked off his former employer.

The Ohio University product had been with Detroit before his release, but Carolina clearly saw enough value to bring him back into the fold. The Panthers' willingness to re-sign him rather than move on suggests Tyus III remains a known quantity in their backfield depth chart — a player the coaching staff trusts even if circumstances haven't always allowed him to stick.

Beyond Tyus III, Ohio's NFL footprint remains quietly broad. The Bobcats have representatives across 10 franchises heading into mid-October, from quarterback Kurtis Rourke with the San Francisco 49ers to tight end Armani Rogers with the Philadelphia Eagles. Nathan Rourke, Kurtis's brother, is holding down a QB spot with the Atlanta Falcons, making the Rourke family one of the more unusual sibling stories in the league this season.

Wide receiver Coleman Owen is on the Green Bay Packers' roster, while Sam Wiglusz is with the Los Angeles Rams at the same position. Will Kacmarek brings Bobcat representation to Miami at tight end, and Austen Pleasants is protecting the blindside for San Francisco as an offensive tackle — putting two Ohio alums on the 49ers' depth chart simultaneously.

On the defensive side, Denzel Daxon is listed as a defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys, and Roman Parodie is playing linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jacoby Jones rounds out the group as a wide receiver with the Washington Commanders.

The sheer spread of Ohio University alumni across the league is a testament to the program's pipeline — even if most of these players are operating in depth roles rather than marquee starting positions. For this week, though, it's Tyus III's story that commands the most attention: a player released, a former team defeated, and a second chance secured, all within the same week.

Coleman Owen Lands in Green Bay

Ohio University wide receiver Coleman Owen is back in the NFL, this time with the Green Bay Packers. The undrafted pass-catcher was added to Green Bay's practice squad Wednesday ahead of the team's matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, giving him a second crack at sticking in the league after a rookie year spent with the Indianapolis Colts.

Owen fits the mold of a slot receiver — described by the Packers' staff as "athletic" — and his production at Ohio University apparently kept him on NFL radars long enough to earn this opportunity. Going undrafted is a narrow path to a professional career, and Owen's route through Indianapolis and now to Green Bay is exactly the kind of grinding, practice-squad journey that defines most successful late-roster stories.

The Packers also signed defensive tackle David Blay in the same roster move. For Owen, the timing matters: Green Bay's wide receiver depth and schematic appetite for quick, elusive slot options could give him a realistic shot at an elevation to the 53-man roster if injuries or performance gaps open the door.

Around the League

Owen wasn't the only Bobcat making news during the week. Running back Anthony Tyus III suited up for the Carolina Panthers in their Week 4 contest against the Cleveland Browns on September 27 — a game Carolina dropped 18-21. Tyus III remains one of the more experienced Ohio University alumni currently on an active NFL roster.

The Bobcat alumni footprint across the league remains notable for a program outside the traditional Power Four pipeline. Tight end Armani Rogers is with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kurtis Rourke and Nathan Rourke — brothers — are both carrying NFL roster spots with the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, respectively, and Sam Wiglusz is on the Los Angeles Rams' receiver room. Will Kacmarek holds a spot at tight end with the Miami Dolphins, while Jacoby Jones is in Washington with the Commanders.

The depth of Ohio University representation in the NFL this season is a quiet testament to the program's ability to develop players who find their footing at the next level, even without the recruiting profile or draft positioning of bigger programs. Coleman Owen's journey is the latest chapter in that story — and it's one worth watching as the Packers' season unfolds.