Khalil Mack, James Starks Highlight UB Football Alumni in NFL

Khalil Mack - What needs to be said? The raiders decided to have Mack split his time between defensive end and outside linebacker. The result was Khalil becoming the first NFL player to be voted all pro at two difference positions during a single season.

The shouts from some people who thought that Mack was overhyped because he played in the MAC have been silenced and Khalil, if he stays healthy, humble, and hungry, may be on his way to a hall of fame NFL career.

He is also on the best looking Raiders team in some time, a mostly young team that can hopefully stay together and get to the playoffs next season.

James Starks - When his last contract expired after 2014 Starks was getting looks from Pittsburgh and some other teams. Green Bay picked him up for another year, reportedly a seven figure deal. He rewarded Green Bay by having his most productive season to date.

James was second on the team behind Eddie Lacy by about 150 yards on the ground but his career high 601 yards running was augmented by 392 yards in receptions. If you count the playoffs then Starks had more than 1,000 total yards for the Packers this season.

The only problems he had was a spat of fumbles late in the year. Something he cleaned up before the playoffs.

Jake Schum - Former UB kicker Jake Schum has been trying to break into the NFL for quite a few years. He has been at many a UB pro day and has had shots in NFL camps. In 2014 he came painfully close to ousting Jets Punter Ryan Quigley.

Schum had a better preseason but Quigley got the nod. In 2015 he once again Pushed Quigley but lost out. Then Tampa brought him into cam and Schum won the job. For most of the season Schum's net was in the top 15 of the NFL but he did fall off a bit in the last two games.

Branden Oliver -  A few things conspired against Oliver this season, not the least of which was San Diego drafting a Running back in the first round. Even with another body in camp BO had an easier year getting onto the roster in 2015 than he had last year, as a late signed un-drafted free agent.

As a mostly third string back Oliver did not get a lot of work through half the season and then he suffered a turf toe injury in week 8 which sidelined him for the year. He was signed to a three year deal so he walks into camp still under contract and has proven his use fullness as a Charger.

Josh Thomas - It was a whirlwind year for Thomas. The defensive back was a late signee to the Vikings in the off season Thomas was one of the last guys cut. And it seemed that might be the end for his NFL Career. Then the Colts had issues with depth and brought Thomas in to play for Indianapolis.

He had a decent stint with the Colts but did not make it to the end of the season. After five seasons and (I think) seven teams it looked like perhaps Thomas might have trouble catching on somewhere next year.

But before you could blink the Dallas Cowboys, who drafted Thomas in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, signed him. Next spring he will pick back up where his NFL journey began.

Steven Means - Means was cut by Tampa and signed with Baltimore in the preseason. He looked to be a guy heading to the final roster but was injured in an preseason game. He was cut by Baltimore shortly after being put on the PUP list.

Towards the end of the season he was picked up by Philadelphia. He did not, however, see the filed for the Eagles.

Kristjan Sokoli - Sokoli was drafted by a Seattle team looking to convert him from the defensive line to the offensive line. And he showed enough promise to make the team.

He spent all but the last game on the season inactive.