The NFL Draft opens the door for college football standouts to take their talents to the professional level, with this year’s event scheduled to begin Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Sam Houston State University has produced a handful of draft picks and undrafted signees over the years. Here is a closer look at the six Bearkats drafted this century:
Zyon McCollum (Fifth round, 2022): The only Bearkat that is starting on an NFL roster had two interceptions during the 2024 season, and he’s been a huge contributor to the Tampa Bay defense. McCollum was also one of the most successful players coming out of Sam Houston with honors such as FCS champion, first-team All-WAC (2021), first-team All-Southland (2018, 2020), and second-team All-Southland (2019). The Buccaneers selected McCollum 157th overall in 2022.
P.J Hall (Second round, 2018): P.J Hall is among the most dominant defensive lineman at SHSU in a long time, holding the records for most sacks in a single game with four. He is also third all-time for most sacks in a season with 13, and is the current all-time leader in career sacks with 42. After his collegiate career, Hall became the highest NFL-drafted SHSU alumni in the school’s history, getting picked 57th overall by the Oakland Raiders. He played in 40 games with 2.5 sacks and 52 solo tackles in his NFL career.
Lachlan Edwards (Seventh round, 2016): The only international SHSU punter drafted to the NFL, Edwards was one of Sam Houston’s greatest punters. At the end of his collegiate career, he entered the NFL Draft, and with the 235th pick, the New York Jets picked up Edwards where he played from 2016 to 2019. He played his last season in 2021 with the Carolina Panthers.
Rhett Bomar (Fifth round, 2009): The Oklahoma Sooner that transferred to SHSU recorded 5,564 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, which places Bomar fourth all-time at SHSU for career passing yards. He also earned second-team All-SLC honors in 2008, and in 2009, the New York Giants selected Bomar with the 151st overall pick.
Josh McCown (Third round, 2002): The 2013 SHSU Hall of Honor quarterback had the longest NFL career of any SHSU player with 16 years in the NFL with 9 NFL teams and 1 UFL team. While playing for Sam Houston McCown posted the fifth-most passing yards in a single season with 3,481 passing yards with 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while rushing for 351 yards with 6 rushing touchdowns. The Arizona Cardinals selected McCown with the 81st pick in the 2002 NFL Draft. After his career as a player, he would become a quarterback coach for the Carolina Panthers, and help 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young as a starting quarterback.
Keith Heinrich (Sixth round, 2002): In the same draft class as Josh McCown, Heinrich recorded 89 receptions 1050 yards, and 9 touchdowns, earning both All-Southland Conference and All-American honors. He has since been inducted into the Sam Houston State Hall of Honor. Heinrich was drafted by the Carolina Panthers 174th overall.
