Well folks, it’s that time of year again.

NFL football is officially back, and Penn State fans had plenty to be excited about in Week 1.

The Nittany Lions have the 10th-most active players among FBS schools in the NFL, with 47 former Penn State players found on 25 different rosters.

Here’s how some former fan favorites did in their first games of the 2026 season.

Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars

2023 sixth-rounder Parker Washington dove into the end zone for a touchdown as the Jaguars defeated the Cleveland Browns 34-10.

After a breakout 2025 campaign, Washington started the 2026 season strong with five catches for 83 yards and one 5-yard punt return.

What. A. Catch. pic.twitter.com/adNB2CKy5n

— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 13, 2026

Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals

Mike Gesicki was the first of many Penn State tight ends to find the end zone on Sunday.

He led the Bengals in receiving yards with 78 and tied for the team lead in receptions with five. Gesicki had the only receiving touchdown in his team’s 33-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The nine-year NFL veteran has had just two touchdowns in each of his last three seasons, but right now he’s on pace for 17.

Into the end zone pic.twitter.com/nsQglVzlVH

— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 13, 2026

Jaquan Brisker, Pittsburgh Steelers

Safety Jaquan Brisker recorded six total tackles and an interception in his first game as a Steeler.

The 2022 second-round draft pick is off to a solid start with his new team, which defeated the Atlanta Falcons 20-13.

Better luck next time pic.twitter.com/MFLvhChEii

— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 13, 2026

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers

Brisker’s teammate, Pat Freiermuth, caught five passes for 46 yards and a touchdown in the Steelers’ win over the Falcons.

Freiermuth is coming off a solid 2025 season in which he averaged a career-high 11.9 yards per reception.

Good day to be a Pittsburgh Steeler pic.twitter.com/l9mpQ3C3Tl

— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 13, 2026

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brenton Strange only had two receptions, but one of them was in the end zone for a touchdown in the Jaguars’ win over the Browns.

Strange had 23 total receiving yards in Week 1.

Tight End U. pic.twitter.com/0ofgAE4DQ5

— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 13, 2026

Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren was the fourth Penn State tight end and fifth Nittany Lion overall to score a touchdown in Week 1.

Warren caught three passes for 13 yards and scored in the Colts’ 23-41 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

Tyler Warren END ZONE
pic.twitter.com/hE16yMaOhw

— Onward State (@OnwardState) September 13, 2026

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Following Penn State’s win over Temple at the Linc on Saturday, Saquon Barkley took the field in the same stadium a day later.

Barkley got off to a slow (by his standards) start to the 2026 season, rushing 15 times for 83 yards in the Eagles’ 22-24 win over the Commanders. He also caught one pass, but lost three yards on the play.

Odafe Oweh, Washington Commanders

Edge rusher Odafe Oweh made three tackles, including one sack, as the Commanders fell to the Eagles.

After spending time in Baltimore and Los Angeles last season, the sixth-year veteran is still settling into his new home in Washington.

Oweh should play a key role in a rebuilt Commanders defense that struggled heavily in 2025.

Other Notable Performances:

• Chris Godwin caught four passes for 40 yards and also recorded one 3-yard rush as the Buccaneers fell to the Bengals.
• Kevin Winston Jr. made 10 tackles, including four solo tackles, in the Tennessee Titans’ 10-23 loss to the New York Jets.
• Jahan Dotson caught one pass for 19 yards in the Falcons’ loss to the Steelers.
• Nick Scott made seven tackles, including five solo tackles as the Carolina Panthers fell to the Chicago Bears 37-59.
• Rookie running back Kaytron Allen rushed four times for 16 yards in the Commanders’ loss to the Eagles.
• Tight end Theo Johnson caught his only target in the New York Giants’ 28-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys.
• Blake Gillikin punted three times for 158 total yards as the Arizona Cardinals upset the Los Angeles Chargers, 26-14.