\

If you missed the Denver @ Oakland game last night/early this morning, Eddie Royal had one of the single greatest NFL debuts by any Hokie in history. He absolutely lit up the Oakland Raiders secondary last night in the second game of ESPN’s Monday Night Football double header. Royal was the go-to guy for Denver QB Jay Cutler. Royal accounted for 185 total yards including 9 receptions for 146 yards, 1 TD, nine rushing yards, 19 punt return yards and 11 kickoff return yards.

Royal should be a strong favorite for NFL Rookie of the Week. Through week one, he leads all NFL receivers with 146 yards, and set the Broncos record for most receptions by a rookie making his debut. Below is a video highlighting Eddie’s amazing NFL debut. Scroll down a little further for updates on all the Hokies currently in the NFL.

Link to official NFL.com Eddie Royal highlights from the game.

Here is a quick recap of former Hokies in the NFL and how they did in week one of the 2008 NFL season. There are 32 former Techsters currently in the NFL according to CBSSportsline.com’s Alumni Tracker. This list is updated to the best of my knowledge, but if I’ve missed something, e-mail me at gary@vthokiefans.com.

Xavier Adibi | Houston Texans | OLB
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
Inactive

James Anderson | Carolina Panthers | LB
Week 1 @ San Diego (W, 26-24)
Inactive

Duane Brown | Houston Texans | OL
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
Started at left offensive tackle (Note: Matt Schaub (Texans QB) was sacked 5 times)

David Clowney | New York Jets | WR
Week 1 vs. Miami (W, 20-14)
Inactive (listed as injured)

Andre Davis | Houston Texans | WR
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
6 punt returns for 112 yds; 18.7 ypr; long of 28 yds

Anthony Davis | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | T
Week 1 @ New Orleans (L, 20-24)
Played, did not start

John Dunn | Detroit Lions | T
Week 1 @ Atlanta (L, 21-34)
PUP List (physically unable to perform)

Chris Ellis | Buffalo Bills | DE
Week 1 vs. Seattle (W, 34-10)
Listed as Active, but did not play

John Engelberger | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 1 @ Oakland (W, 41-14)
4 tackles (all solo)

Brandon Flowers | Kansas City Chiefs | CB
Week 1 @ New England (L, 10-17)
6 tackles (5 solo, 1 assist)

Brandon Frye | Houston Texans | T
Week 1 @ Pittsburgh (L, 17-38)
Inactive: Cut by the Texans on 9/2, added to practice squad on 9/4

Vincent Fuller | Tennessee Titans | DB
Week 1 vs. Jacksonville (W, 17-10)
4 tackles (2 solo, 2 assists)

Shayne Graham | Cincinnati Bengals | K
Week 1 @ Baltimore (L, 10-17)
1/1 FG – 43 yards; 1/1 PATs (4 points)

Eric Green | Arizona Cardinals | CB
Week 1 @ San Francisco (W, 23-13)
2 tackles (both solo)

Jake Grove | Oakland Raiders | C
Week 1 vs. Denver (L, 14-41)
Started, 1 fumble recovery

DeAngelo Hall | Oakland Raiders | CB
Week 1 vs. Denver (L, 14-41)
7 tackles (all solo)
2 personal fouls (both against Eddie Royal)

Vince Hall | St. Louis Rams | LB
Week 1 @ Philadelphia (L, 3-38)
Injured Reserve

Justin Hamilton | Washington Redskins | CB
Week 1 @ New York Giants (L, 7-16)
Played, did not start, no stats

Kevin Jones | Chicago Bears | RB
Week 1 @ Indianapolis (W, 29-13)
13 carries, 45 yds, 0 TDs, 0 fum, long of 12 yds

Jeff King | Carolina Panthers | TE
Week 1 @ San Diego (W, 26-24)
1 rec., 4 yds, 0 TDs, 0 fum

Matt Lehr | New Orleans Saints | G
Week 1 vs. Tampa Bay (W, 24-20)
Cut by the Bucs on 9/7

Jonathan Lewis | Jacksonville Jaguars | DT
Week 1 @ Tennessee (L, 10-17)
Injured Reserve

Will Montgomery | New York Jets | G
Week 1 vs. Miami (W, 20-14)
Listed as Active, but did not play

Josh Morgan | San Francisco 49ers | WR
Week 1 vs. Arizona (L, 13-23)
Played, but no stats

Jason Murphy | Tennessee Titans | G
Week 1 vs Jacksonville (W, 17-10)
Cut by Titans 8/31, signed to practice squad 9/3

Carlton Powell | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 1 @ Oakland (W, 41-14)
PUP List (physically unable to perform)

Pierson Prioleau | Jacksonville Jaguars | DB
Week 1 @ Tennessee (L, 10-17)
Played, but no stats

Aaron Rouse | Green Bay Packers | S
Week 1 vs. Minnesota (W, 24-19)
2 tackles (both solo)

Eddie Royal | Denver Broncos | WR
Week 1 @ Oakland (W, 41-14)
Receiving: 9 rec., 146 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: 2 attempts, 9 yards
Passing: 0/1
Returns: 2 punt returns, 19 yds; 1 kickoff return, 11 yds
Total Offense: 185 yards

Nick Sorensen | Cleveland Browns | DB
Week 1 vs. Dallas (L, 10-28)
1 tackle (assist)

Darryl Tapp | Seattle Seahawks | DE
Week 1 @ Buffalo (L, 10-34)
3 tackles (1 solo, 2 assist)

Ernest Wilford | Miami Dolphins | WR
Week 1 vs. New York Jets (L, 14-20)
Played, but no stats

Popularity: 2% [?]