San Diego State Aztecs in the NFL: Where Are They Now?

San Diego State Aztecs in The NFL: Top 10, Where Are They Now?
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110. Dan McGwire
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29. J.R Tolver
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38. Kassim Osgood
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47. Kevin O'Connell
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56. Will Demps
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65. Kirk Morrison
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74. Isaac Curtis
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83. Robert Griffith
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92. Brian Sipe
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101. Marshall Faulk
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11Honroable Mention: Chaz Schilens
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San Diego State Aztecs in the NFL: Where Are They Now?

Nov 2, 2010

San Diego State Aztecs in The NFL: Top 10, Where Are They Now?

SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 7:  Kicker Lane Yoshida #88 of the San Diego State Aztecs kicks a 48 yard field goal in the second quarter against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on November 7, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California.   TCU won
SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 7: Kicker Lane Yoshida #88 of the San Diego State Aztecs kicks a 48 yard field goal in the second quarter against the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs on November 7, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. TCU won

The Aztecs may not be well known in the College Football world today, but there once was a time where Marshal Faulk ran wild.  Let's take a stroll down Aztec alumni lane, and really see the talent that has graced the sunny city of San Diego.

As we breakdown our top 10, surprises will be revealed, and heroes will be young once more. 

10. Dan McGwire

13 Sep 1992: Quarterback Dan McGwire of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won the game, 26-7.
13 Sep 1992: Quarterback Dan McGwire of the Seattle Seahawks looks on during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs won the game, 26-7.

Perhaps most noted for being Mark McGwire's brother, Dan had a promising start in the NFL.

Drafted No. 16 overall by the Seattle Seahawks in 1991, McGwire was a hot ticket: Dan racked up over 3,500 yards in '89 and '90 at SDSU.

McGwire would go on to play until 1995, and other then his overall draft spot, can be considered an NFL bust.

9. J.R Tolver

OXNARD, CA - JULY 29:  Wide receiver J.R. Tolver # 87 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass during practice on the first day of training camp for the Cowboys on July 29, 2006 at the River Ridge Field in Oxnard, California.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Ima
OXNARD, CA - JULY 29: Wide receiver J.R. Tolver # 87 of the Dallas Cowboys catches a pass during practice on the first day of training camp for the Cowboys on July 29, 2006 at the River Ridge Field in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Ima

J.R had an amazing year alongside Kassim Osgood in 2002.

As a senior, Tolver had 28 catches for 1725 yards and 12 TD's.

Both Osgood and Tolver were unanimous first-team Mountain West Conference players of the year.

Tolver's NFL career was a bit shaky.  He was a 5th round pick by the Miami Dolphins in 2003, and spent a couple years battling a right knee injury which would eventually end his NFL career.

He was part of the Dallas Cowboys practice squad in 2006, and recently signed a deal with the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League in 2008.

8. Kassim Osgood

SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17:  Wide receiver Kassim Osgood #81 of the San Diego Chargers cheers with fans during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Jets at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California.  (Photo by Stephen Dunn/
SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 17: Wide receiver Kassim Osgood #81 of the San Diego Chargers cheers with fans during the AFC Divisional Playoff Game against the New York Jets at Qualcomm Stadium on January 17, 2010 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/

Kassim started his NFL career in 2003, playing with the San Diego Chargers until 2009.  He now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

He has racked up 647 yards and 4 TD's in his career to date.

Osgood wore No. 1 when he played for SDSU, and in 2002, sat at second in the nation with 108 receptions for 1500 yards.  He, and WR J.R Tolver, set an NCAA record for most yards by a tandem, with 3,337 yards.

7. Kevin O'Connell

CHARLOTTE, NC  - AUGUST 21:  Quarterback Kevin O'Connell #7 of the New York Jets throws during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mary Ann Chastain/Getty Ima
CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 21: Quarterback Kevin O'Connell #7 of the New York Jets throws during a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 21, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mary Ann Chastain/Getty Ima

The latest of the NFL Aztecs, O'Connell was taken by New England with the 94th overall selection.

He spent 1 year in New England, and now serves as a back-up for the NY Jets.

O'Connell racked up serious stats as an Aztec: As a running QB, O'Connell holds the team record for rushing yards as a quarterback.

6. Will Demps

HOUSTON - DECEMBER 30: Will Demps #47 of the Houston Texans moves on the field during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium December 30, 2007 in Houston, Texas. The Texans won 42-28. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
HOUSTON - DECEMBER 30: Will Demps #47 of the Houston Texans moves on the field during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Reliant Stadium December 30, 2007 in Houston, Texas. The Texans won 42-28. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

Demps played for the Ravens, Giants, and Texans from 2002-2008.

He racked up 6 interceptions in his career, and played in a total of 96 games.

At SDSU, Demps recorded 229 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, and 5 interceptions.  He was also a 2 time mountain west all conference defensive back.

5. Kirk Morrison

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 25:  Kirk Morrison #52 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with fans against the New York Jets during an NFL game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 25, 2009 in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 25: Kirk Morrison #52 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates with fans against the New York Jets during an NFL game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 25, 2009 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

78th overall pick, Kirk Morrison was the starting middle linebacker for a lack-luster Oakland team from 2005-2009.  He found bright spots, and was a crowd favorite in Oakland.

He now plays for the Jaguars.

4. Isaac Curtis

Isaac Curtis was a 15th overall draft choice in 1973 for the Cincinatti Bengals.  Curtis was elected to 4 pro bowls during his career, which spanned from '73-'84. 

Curtis accumulated 416 catches for a staggering 7101 yards, tacking on 53 touchdowns. 

3. Robert Griffith

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 22:  Alvis Whitted #87 of the Oakland Raiders fails to make a touchdown reception against Robert Griffith #34 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game on October 22, 2006 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California.  (Photo by Jona
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 22: Alvis Whitted #87 of the Oakland Raiders fails to make a touchdown reception against Robert Griffith #34 of the Arizona Cardinals during the NFL game on October 22, 2006 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jona

Griffith played from 1994-2006, starting for the Vikings, and then moving on to the Browns, and eventually the Cardinals.

He's made the Pro Bowl, and more impressively, has 27 interceptions and 230 return yards in his career. Throw in 8.5 sacks as well.

Griffith resides in Rancho Santa Fe, CA, and teaches Tae-Kwan-Do.

2. Brian Sipe

SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 25:  Quarterback Brian Sipe #17 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass under the protection of offensive tackle Cody Risien #63 during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy on September 25, 1983 in San Diego, California
SAN DIEGO - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Brian Sipe #17 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass under the protection of offensive tackle Cody Risien #63 during a game against the San Diego Chargers at Jack Murphy on September 25, 1983 in San Diego, California

Brian Sipe, most famous for his help in giving the nickname "The Kardiac Kids" to a 1979 and 1980 Browns team that was come back savvy.

Sipe was the NFL MVP in 1980, throwing for 4,132 yards and 30 TD's. He's also earned several first team honor mentions in his illustrious career. 

He now coaches high school football in Solana beach, and lives in San Diego, CA.

Brian Sipe's career NFL Stats: 23,713 yards, 154 TD's, and 149 interceptions.

1. Marshall Faulk

ST. LOUIS - DECEMBER 20:   Former running back Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams addresses the fans during a halftime ceremony to retire his jersey on December 20, 2007 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri.  (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS - DECEMBER 20: Former running back Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams addresses the fans during a halftime ceremony to retire his jersey on December 20, 2007 at Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Marshall has done it all.

He's a super bowl champ, a 7-time Pro Bowler, 2000 AL MVP, and was rookie of the year in 1994.

He ran a 4.24 40-yard dash at his pro day, and never lost a step.

His jersey was retired in St. Louis in remembrance of his career achievements.

Faulk both ran, and received for over a thousand yards in his first season with the Rams in 1999.

Marshall currently is an analyst for the NFL network, where he breaks down games and gives his expert advice.  

Long live the greatest San Diego State Aztec football player, Marshall Faulk.

Honroable Mention: Chaz Schilens

NAPA, CA - AUGUST 01:  Chaz Schilens #81 of the Oakland Raiders works out during the Raiders training camp at their Napa Valley Training Complex on August 1, 2010 in Napa, California.  (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
NAPA, CA - AUGUST 01: Chaz Schilens #81 of the Oakland Raiders works out during the Raiders training camp at their Napa Valley Training Complex on August 1, 2010 in Napa, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Chaz plays for the Raiders, and has been riddled by minor injuries.  When healthy, he will be worked into the raiders passing game for the 2010 season.

Schilens has caught 44 balls for 591 yards and 4 TD's in his career to date.

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