Grand Rapids Reporter

Xavier Wade, a former Ferris State University football player, has accepted an invitation to participate in the rookie mini-camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Wade concluded his college football career last fall and now joins fellow Ferris State alumni Shon Stephens and Mason Pline, who have also moved on to professional teams after the recent NFL Draft.

Wade's performance in his final season was notable, contributing significantly to Ferris State's ninth consecutive NCAA D2 Playoff appearance. He led the team with 42 catches for 855 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging 20.4 yards per reception. Throughout his college career, he accumulated 132 catches for 2,746 yards and 29 touchdowns over 51 games. His efforts earned him All-GLIAC First Team honors under head coach Tony Annese.

Ferris State has a history of sending players to the NFL, including Zach Sieler, who became the school's first-ever NFL Draft pick six years ago when selected by the Baltimore Ravens. In recent years, Ferris State has had more players in NFL preseason camps than any other Division II school. Notable names include Tavierre Thomas (Houston), Justin Zimmer (Buffalo), Malik Taylor (Green Bay/New York Jets), and Austin Edwards (Kansas City).

Currently, four former Bulldogs remain with NFL teams: Thomas with Tampa Bay, Sieler with Miami, Taylor with New York Jets, and Murphy with Tennessee. Other alumni continue their professional careers in various leagues.

Since 2016, ten Ferris State alumni have played in at least one NFL regular-season game. Players like Taylor, Zimmer, and Edwards reached the NFL Conference Championship Games in 2020. Although Sieler remains the only Bulldog drafted into the NFL, many others have signed as free agents or received camp invites post-draft over nine consecutive seasons.

Overall, at least 27 former Ferris State players have signed free agent deals with NFL teams. This list includes Marvin Robinson with Dallas Cowboys in 2014 and Marcus Cribbs with Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. Several other past players have participated in tryouts or received camp invitations without signing contracts.

The legacy of Ferris State players making it to the NFL extends back decades with figures like Dave Gagnon (Chicago Bears), Monty Brown (New York Jets), Ed Philion (Buffalo Bills), Clarence Coleman (Buffalo Bills), Carlton Brewster (Cleveland Browns), and Jake Visser (Houston Texans) being part of this tradition.