Despite the obstacles associated with a small college football player making the NFL, three guys who played recently in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference cut their teeth at the next level in 2014. While Adam Thielen (MSU-Mankato), Brian Leonhardt (Bemidji State), and Zach Moore (Concordia), were not starters for their teams, they all made key contributions at different points during the most recent NFL campaign.



Adam Thielen (Wide Receiver) got 2 starts for the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and found himself on the field weekly as a high performing Special Teams player. Thielen did make 2 starts for his local squad and finished the year with 8 catches for 137 yards and 1 touchdown. His scoring reception took place in the final week of the season against the Chicago Bears, the only touchdown of the game. Adam also blocked a punt earlier in the year against the Carolina Panthers and promptly scooped the ball off the turf and scooted in for the score. This was Thielen's 2nd season with the club, as he signed as a practice squad player during 2013.



Brian Leonhardt (Tight End) started 3 games for the Oakland Raiders during 2014 but missed the final month of the season due to a concussion. Being a strong blocker Leonhardt was able to get in the game often. Brian caught a pass in 6 of the 12 games he played in, finishing with 6 receptions for 35 yards and 1 touchdown. Much like Thielen, Leonhardt was undrafted and was a free agent signing. He's in his 2nd year with his team and was a practice squad player in 2013.

Zach Moore (Defensive End) started 1 game with the New England Patriots in his first year removed from collegiate football. Moore was a 6th round draft pick for the Pats and is the 2nd string end for the squad, recording 3 tackles and getting time on Special Teams. Zach got a sack and forced fumble against Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears, while nearly getting another sack against Matthew Stafford of the Detroit Lions.



Later in that game Moore was involved in a national story when he was on the receiving end of head slap and a chop block at the knees in the closing moments of a one-sided win. Dominic Raiola, the infamous Center for the Detroit Lions, was fined $10,000 for the head slap and the cut-block play moments later. ESPN and other media outlets played the video countless times and I found myself stopping to rewind the plays once I heard Zach's name mentioned. He took things in stride and did not retaliate.

During the playoffs Moore has been inactive for each of the first two playoffs games as the Patriots have players returning from injury. It will not be known until about 24 hours before the Super Bowl itself if Zach will be active for the Super Bowl or not. Even if he's not active for the game he's still had a very special rookie season.



All said, it's great to see the Northern Sun getting representation from these 3 players on Sundays. Here's to wishing them all continued success.