Northern Arizona University was founded in 1899. At the start of NAU they didn’t have any sports teams. Sixteen years after opening NAU add a football to their school, and the program just grew from there. At this time college football was the highest a player could climb in their football career. That was the case for many years until the National Football League was created in 1920, with the National Football league now being the next level up from college it opened up the opportunity to go professional. With this NAU football players were able to go professional and many players continued their football career, listed below are some of those players to continue on into the NFL.
Cecil Mulleneaux was the first football player to go into the NFL. Cecil was drafted into the NLF in the 1932 season. He was drafted to the New York Giants. Cecil played for a total of seven season and played for six different teams. Cecil ended his career in the NFL in 1939.
Rex Mirch was a defensive end in the NFL, he played for the Minnesota Vikings. He was drafted right out of college. Rex was drafted in the 16th round. He played a total of 83 games but only started for 14 games. Rex was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012 , and was also reward offensive and defensive All American Honors in 1962 and 1963.
Ed Judie was a linebacker for Northern Arizona University from 1977 to 1980. He was one of the select few who was not drafted right out of college. Ed was drafted to the San Francisco 49ers. he played 11 games for the 49ers. then was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1984. At the end of his NFL career Ed was inducted into the Northern Arizona Hall of Fame in 1989.
Shawn Collins was a wide receiver for Northern Arizona University from 1985 till he was drafted to the NFL in 1989. He was drafted in the first round to play for the Atlanta Falcons. During his career Shawn played for four teams. He ended his career with the Green Bay Packers. Shawn had 5 receptions, 52 receiving yards, and one rushing touchdown and ending his NFL career in 1993.
Paul Ernest was a kicker and a punter for four different NFL teams over a span of four years. Paul was drafted in the seventh round to the Denver Broncos in 2005. Paul was awarded the Academic All-Big Sky award 3 times, as well as the All-Big Sky award 2 times.
K.J. Gerard was a defense of the end for the Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, and the Baltimore Ravens. K.J. Gerard was a walk-on at Northern Arizona University in 2005 and played all four years of his college career. K.J never started in the NFL and was only a un-drafted free agent. Over his NFL career he played for 4 teams.