Sept. 2, 2012
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The number of former UNLV players on NFL rosters heading into the first week of the season grew over the weekend as two defensive linemen were picked up by other teams after being waived on Friday as part of final cut-downs.
Isaako Aaitui (at UNLV 2007-10), who was let go by the Miami Dolphins, has a new home with the New York Jets. Martin Tevaseu (2008-09), meanwhile, was cut by those same Jets but was quickly signed by the AFC rival Indianapolis Colts.
That means as of Sunday, five Rebel alums are on active NFL rosters after defensive back Quinton Pointer (2007-11) made the St. Louis Rams as a rookie despite being an undrafted free agent.
They all join a pair of veteran players who starred at UNLV -- cornerback Eric Wright (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and center Joe Hawley (Atlanta Falcons) -- and made NFL teams in 2012.
Other former Rebs that were released from their teams over the last two weeks of camp were wide receiver Phillip Payne (San Diego Chargers), linebacker K.C. Asiodu (Chicago Bears), defensive back Deante' Purvis (San Francisco 49ers) and offensive lineman Matt Murphy (Cincinnati Bengals).
