NACOGDOCHES, Texas- Four Lumberjacks made the final 53-man roster on multiple NFL teams. Rayshad Nichols, BJ Thompson, Xavier Gipson, and John Franklin-Myers all made their respective 53-man rosters.
After SFA’s 2022 season BJ Thompson was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fifth round of the NFL Draft and Xavier Gipson was signed by the New York Jets shortly after as an undrafted free agent. They are the two newest Lumberjacks to earn a spot in the National Football League.
Rayshad Nichols was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 2022. Nichols will head into his second season as a Raven.
John Franklin-Myers was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent the 2018 season on the Los Angeles Rams before signing with the New York Jets in 2019. He has been an important piece to the Jets defensive line.
All four Lumberjacks will look to impress in the upcoming 2023 season.
Player Files:
Xavier Gipson:
Gipson joins the Jets after another incredible season in 2022…He became SFA’s career receiving leader and was named back-to-back WAC Player of the Year…Had 244 receptions for 4,321 yards and 37 receiving touchdowns…Also served as a punt returner accumulating four punt returns for touchdowns BJ Thompson:
Thompson is entering his first season with the Chiefs after being selected in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft…Spent two years at Baylor, prior to his career at SFA…Had 98 tackles and 41 tackles for loss…Thompson also had four pass breakups, an interception, and 24 sacks.
Rayshad Nichols:
Nichols is entering his second season with the Baltimore Ravens…He played for the Lumberjacks from 2017-2022…Had 115 tackles and 36 tackles for loss…Also had 14.5 sacks with one pass break up…In the 2022 season with the Ravens he had four tackles
John Franklin-Myers:
“JFM” is entering his fifth season with the New York Jets…Prior to the Jets he played for the Los Angeles Rams…In his NFL career he has 102 tackles, 16 sacks, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, one interception, and four pass deflections.
By: Jace Green, Assistant for Strategic Communications