FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State football team has players who played in a Bulldog uniform up to 15 years ago representing the Fresno State program in the professional ranks across the National Football League (NFL), the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the United Football League (UFL). With the UFL at the peak of its season, and the NFL and CFL beginning rookie minicamps this month, GoBulldogs.com provides an update on the former Bulldogs at the next level.
NFL Rookies
A handful of former Fresno State football players are set to begin their professional careers in the NFL with rookie mini camps beginning across the league this weekend. Fresno State did not have a player selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, but it did see six get the opportunity to continue their careers through undrafted free agent signings and camp invitations.
Within minutes of the NFL Draft ending, LB Levelle Bailey (Denver Broncos), WR Jaelen Gill (Los Angeles Chargers), DB Morice Norris Jr. (Detroit Lions) and DB Carlton Johnson (Seattle Seahawks) were signed as undrafted free agents.
LS Nick D'Ambra (Denver Broncos) and DL Johnny Hudson Jr. (Pittsburgh Steelers) earned rookie mini camp invites.
Minicamp Schedule
Seattle Seahawks: May 3-5
Denver Broncos: May 10-12
Detroit Lions: May 10-12
Los Angeles Chargers: May 10-12
Pittsburgh Steelers: May 10-12
A look back at 2023
Levelle Bailey: A second team All-Mountain West selection, Bailey finished third on the team with 82 tackles. A starting linebacker in all 13 games, he added 5.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles on the year. Bailey was responsible for the game-winning defensive play in three different games this season with a pass breakup at Purdue (Sept. 2), an interception in double overtime against Eastern Washington (Sept. 9) and an interception in the final seconds against UNLV (Oct. 28). Bailey found himself on a handful of preseason watch lists in 2023, including watch lists for the following awards: Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, Bednarik Award, Wuerffel Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Shrine Bowl, and the AllState Good Works Team. Bailey was the most experienced player on the Bulldogs' roster in 2023, having played in 58 career games while earning 49 starts since 2019. Bailey was also the defensive team captain for the season. Bailey was a participant at the Hula Bowl and the East-West Shrine.
Nick D'Ambra: D'Ambra appeared in all 13 games for Fresno State this season, snapping on place kicks and punts. He transferred into the Bulldog program ahead of the 2022 season. D'Ambra was a Special Teams U honorable mention All-American selection in 2023. D'Ambra was a participant at the Tropical Bowl.
Jaelen Gill: In his first and only season with the Bulldogs, Gill became an immediate contributor as a receiver and a returner. He played in all 13 games, and had three starts at wideout. Gill totaled 49 catches for 516 yards and six touchdowns. He tied for the team lead with six touchdowns. He had at least one catch in every game this season. He was also the Bulldogs' primary kickoff returner with 25 returns for 527 yards on the year. Gill began his collegiate career at Ohio State (2018-19) before transferring to Boston College (2020-22). Out of high school, he was a Consensus Top 50 prospect.
Johnny Hudson Jr.: Hudson Jr appeared in all 13 games in 2023, and started in 12. He had 21 tackles, and added 3.0 TFLs, four quarterback hurries and one sack. The senior was limited in play in games against San Jose State and New Mexico due to injury. He earned preseason honors by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports, and picked up a pair of academic recognitions by CSC and the Mountain West.
Carlton Johnson: Johnson earned second team All-Mountain West honors this season, starting in 12 of 13 games played at cornerback. He led the team with four interceptions, including a program-record three interceptions at Arizona State (Sept. 16) all against different quarterbacks. His performance against the Sun Devils earned him a plethora of well-deserved honors as the MW Defensive Player of the Week, and the national player of the week selected by the Thorpe Award and the Bronko Nagurski Award. Johnson totaled 54 tackles, 1.0 TFL, four interceptions, seven pass breakups and one quarterback hurry this season. Johnson was the only Bulldog to receive an invitation to the Reese's Senior Bowl this season. Following his performance at the Senior Bowl, he received an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine. Johnson also participated at the Hula Bowl.
Morice Norris Jr.: Norris Jr earned second team All-Mountain West recognitions this season in just his second year playing Division I football. Norris Jr. was third in the MW with 12 passes defended, grabbing two interceptions with 10 pass breakups. He finished fourth on the team with 59 tackles, and added an additional 9.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Norris Jr. was a 2023 nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, an award that recognizes the top college football player who began their career as a walk-on. Norris Jr. participated at the College Gridiron Showcase.
NFL Returners
More former Bulldogs across the league will also begin OTA offseason workouts in May. Fresno State has 13 former players associated with teams around the league:
Davante Adams, WR - Las Vegas Raiders
Alex Akingbulu, OL - Washington Commanders
DaRon Bland, DB - Dallas Cowboys
Derek Carr, QB - New Orleans Saints
Jalen Cropper, WR - Dallas Cowboys
Jake Haener, QB - New Orleans Saints
Jordan Mims, RB - New Orleans Saints
Arron Mosby, DL - Green Bay Packers
Netane Muti, OL - Detroit Lions
David Perales, LB - Pittsburgh Steelers
Nikko Remigio, WR - Kansas City Chiefs
Ronnie Rivers, RB - Los Angeles Rams
Mykal Walker, LB - Washington Commanders
The full workout dates for all 32 NFL teams can be found here.
More 'Dogs in the Pros
United Football League
Fresno State has three players currently with teams and competing in the United Football League (UFL). DB Juju Hughes signed with the Birmingham Stallions on April 26. Hughes (2016-19) had NFL stops with the Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals before signing with the UFL.
With the D.C. Defenders, the 'Dogs have DL Kevin Atkins and DB Anthoula "Tank" Kelly. Atkins (2016-21) saw NFL experience with the San Francisco 49ers and the New York Giants. He also had a stint in the XFL. Kelly (2014-18) had stints in the XFL and in the CFL prior to his time in D.C.
The UFL has five more weeks remaining in its regular season before conference championships and the UFL Championship.
More on the UFL can be found here.
Canadian Football League
Three former Bulldogs and teammates are playing in the CFL as OL Dontae Bull (2017-22), WR Erik Brooks (2018-23), and WR Keric Wheatfall (2019-21) headed north. Bull was selected No. 1 overall to the Ottawa Redblacks in last year's draft. Wheatfall signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in January 2024. Just this week, Brooks signed his contract with the Calgary Stampeders.
WR KeeSean Johnson (2015-18) signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in March 2024. Johnson had time in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers and the Buffalo Bills. Also in the CFL is LB Kyrie Wilson (2011-15) with Winnipeg.
CFL Rookie camps will open on May 8 with teams being required to reduce their rosters to 85 players by May 11. Training camps will open on May 12 with teams needing to reduce their rosters to 75 players by May 14. Training camps will conclude on June 1. Week one games begin on June 6.
More on the CFL can be found here.
