The 2024 NFL regular season came to end last weekend. Several former Indiana players saw action during the year, headlined by two former teammates.
Micah McFadden and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine were both integral players on their teams, and by some measures had their best seasons in the NFL.
In total, eight players who ended their college careers as Hoosiers saw the field in the NFL in 2024. Others who spent time at IU and played this season are noted below as well, along with IU players on practice squads.
Here’s an overview:
Micah McFadden, LB (New York Giants)
McFadden suffered a groin injury during the preseason that set him back a bit, but he still played in 14 games (14 starts) and posted career-highs with 107 tackles and three sacks. It was his second straight season with more than 100 tackles. McFadden added eight tackles for loss and six quarterback hits, along with a pass breakup, forced fumble and fumble recovery. He was especially productive as the season wore on, with double-digit tackles in four of his last seven games.
For his three-year career, McFadden has played in 47 games with 35 starts. He has 267 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, and six sacks.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, WR (Tennessee)
Westbrook-Ikhine had his best NFL season in 2024, with 32 catches for 497 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns. He played in all 17 games with nine starts. Westbrook-Ikhine was tied for ninth in the NFL in touchdown receptions. Westbrook-Ikhine also played 121 special teams snaps. He’s a free agent going into 2025 and should be able to secure a very good contract.
Westbrook has had four straight years of at least 25 catches and 370 yards. For his five year career, all with Tennessee, he has 126 catches, 1,773 yards, and 19 touchdowns.
Dan Feeney, OL (Minnesota)
Feeney played in eight games for Minnesota, all on special teams. This is Feeney’s eighth season in the NFL, making him the longest tenured former Hoosier in the league. He has played in 120 career games. Feeney and the Vikings are in the NFL Playoffs.
Ian Thomas, TE (Carolina)
In his seventh NFL season, Thomas played in five games with two starts in 2024. He caught three passes for seven yards. Thomas has played his entire career with Carolina. He has 119 career catches for 1,062 yards in 99 games.
Raheem Layne, S (New York Giants)
In his third NFL season, Layne played two games for the Giants and had three tackles. Layne previously played for the Chargers. He’s played in 13 games total for his career and has 10 tackles.
Peyton Hendershot, TE (Kansas City)
Hendershot appeared in seven games with a start for the Chiefs after being traded from Dallas before the season. He caught five passes for 51 yards in his third NFL season. He’s up to 20 total NFL catches. Hendershot is in the NFL Playoffs with a chance to win the Super Bowl.
Marcelino McCrary-Ball, LB (New York Jets)
McCrary-Ball played in 12 games and posted seven total tackles in his second year of NFL action. For his career, all with the Jets, he’s played in 14 games and has posted seven tackles.
Cam Jones, LB (Kansas City)
For the second year in a row, Jones played in 17 games with one start for the Chiefs. He recorded 19 tackles with a QB hit in 2024. He posted 12 tackles in a week 17 game vs. Denver. Jones has played in 34 career games with two starts in two seasons with the Chiefs. He will be competing for a second straight Super Bowl ring during the NFL Playoffs.
Although they didn’t finish their careers at IU, former Hoosiers Michael Penix, Jr. (Atlanta), AJ Barner (Seattle), and Reese Taylor (Denver) all played in the league in 2024.
At the end of the season, former IU offensive linemen Caleb Jones and Luke Haggard were on practice squad rosters for New England and Tampa Bay, respectively. Cornerback Jaylin Williams was also on a practice squad at one point during the season.
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