FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State had one player drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft just over a week ago in quarterback Jake Haener, who was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round (127th overall). Haener wasn't the only former Bulldog who got a chance at continuing their professional career as a handful of former 'Dogs received camp invites and signed to teams as undrafted free agents.
Within minutes of the NFL Draft ending, WR Nikko Remigio (Kansas City Chiefs), WR Jalen Moreno-Cropper (Dallas Cowboys), RB Jordan Mims (Buffalo Bills) and DE David Perales (Pittsburgh Steelers) were signed as undrafted free agents.
WR Zane Pope quickly received an invitation to the Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp.
Announced last week, former Bulldogs who had spent the last season in the XFL -- DT Kevin Atkins (2017-21) and TE Cam Sutton (2018-19) -- both received invitations to the rookie minicamp held by the Atlanta Falcons.
Minicamp Schedule
Kansas City Chiefs - May 6-8 (Updates out of Kansas City)
Buffalo Bills - May 12-14
Dallas Cowboys - May 12-14
New Orleans Saints - May 12-14
Pittsburgh Steelers - May 12-14
Atlanta Falcons - May 12-14
*The 2023 NFL rookie minicamp dates are between May 5-8 or May 12-14. Each NFL team can choose one of those weeks to hold their rookie minicamps.
A look back on 2022-23
Kevin Atkins: Atkins, who was originally signed as an undrafted free agent to the San Francisco 49ers in the Spring of 2022, spent the last season with the XFL's St. Louis Battlehawks. Atkins saw brief preseason action with the 49ers, appearing in three games. He was added to the Battlehawks' roster on Nov. 16, 2022. In his first XFL season, Atkins appeared in 10 games, totaling 14 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack.
Jake Haener: The first team All-Mountain West quarterback overcame adversity in 2022, starting all 10 games played, missing four due to injury suffered in Week 3. He finished the 2022 season with 2,896 yards passing, completing 252-of-350 pass attempts. He threw 20 touchdowns to just three interceptions on the year. Haener had six 300-yard passing performances in 10 games played. He was a two-time Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week selection, and was named the Offensive MVP of the Mountain West Championship Game. Haener participated in the Reese's Senior Bowl, and had a big week in Mobile. He was named the National Team's Practice Quarterback of the Week by his peers and was named the MVP of the Game, helping the National Team to a 27-10 win in the All-Star game. Haener was the first Fresno State quarterback to receive an invitation to the NFL Scouting Combine since Carr in 2014.
Haener holds the program record for best career pass completion percentage (.681). He has career numbers in the Top 5 in numerous Fresno State statistical categories: most 300-yard passing games (18 - 2nd all-time), most 400-yard passing games (3 - 3rd all-time), consecutive passes without an interception (214 - 3rd all-time), passing yards (9,013 - 4th all-time), passing completions (731 - 4th all-time), passing attempts (1,072 - 4th all-time), and most touchdown passes (67 - 5th all-time).
Jordan Mims:
The first team All-Mountain West running back started all 14 games for Fresno State in 2022. Mims finished the season with a team-high1,372 yards rushing on 261 carries. He became the first Bulldog to rush for 1,000 yards since 2014. He had six 100-yard rushing performances, with a 200-yard showing in his final game as a Bulldog. Mims scored 8 rushing touchdowns in 2022, the second-most in a season in program history. He ranked fifth nationally in rushing touchdowns and total touchdowns.
Jalen Moreno-Cropper: The first team All-Mountain West wide receiver started all 14 games for Fresno State in 2022. He led the team with 83 receptions for 1,086 yards, becoming the first Bulldog to have a 1,000-yard receiving performance since 2018. Moreno-Cropper had three 100-yard receiving performances this season. He finished his career with 37-straight games with a reception, a streak that is the second-longest in program history.
David Perales: The first team All-Mountain West defensive end appeared in all 14 games this season, while starting 13. He led the defensive line with 47 total tackles. Perales added 16.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He led the Mountain West and ranked No. 7 nationally in sacks. Perales added two forced fumbles, one interception, six quarterback hurries and five broken up passes in 2022.
Zane Pope: Pope appeared in all 14 games and started five as a wide receiver for the Bulldogs. He had 50 receptions for 623 yards and four touchdowns. He had one 100-yard game this season with 143 yards on 10 catches against San Diego State (Oct. 29). In that game with the Aztecs, he also scored a touchdown and recovered Fresno State's dramatic onside kick to maintain possession and keep the lead over SDSU. He had at least one catch in 12 games. Pope was Fresno State's third-leading receiver in receiving yards and touchdowns. He led the team in yards receiving in three games this season.
Nikko Remigio: Remigio was selected by the Mountain West as a second team all-conference wide receiver and punt returner. Doing it all for the Bulldogs in his first season, Remigio totaled 1,633 all-purpose yards. As a receiver, Remigio was second on the team with 74 receptions for 852 yards, scoring six touchdowns. He was Fresno State's top returner since 2013, showcasing his best returns in the punt returns totaling 13 punt returns for a combined 259 yards and two touchdowns. Remigio became the first Bulldog to return a punt for a touchdown since 2013. Remigio led the Mountain West in punt return touchdowns and punt return yards. He also led the nation in punt return touchdowns. Remigio is the only Bulldog to earn two positional all-conference honors by the MW league office.
Cam Sutton: Sutton, who signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks in 2021, spent the last season with the XFL's Vegas Vipers. After his short stint in Seattle, Sutton wound up playing for the Vipers in 2023, recording 12 receptions for 140 receiving yards in 10 games played.