ARLINGTON, Texas – The divisional round of the 2023-24 National Football League playoffs is slated to feature 46 Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic alumni across the active rosters of the eight participating teams.
 
The Houston Texans with nine lead the way with the most Cotton Bowl Classic alums. Leading the franchise on the sidelines is another Classic alum and former Alabama standout DeMeco Ryans. The Texans first-year head coach earned the Felix R. McKnight Trophy as Defensive Most Valuable Player in the 70th Classic in 2006.
 
Notre Dame paces the list of Classic alums with seven followed by Alabama and Florida with six each and Penn State with five. Each of the eight teams playing in the NFL divisional round boasts at least one Classic alum on its active roster.
 
The AFC and NFC Championship games are scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 28. Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas is set for Sunday, Feb. 11 on CBS.
 
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GOODYEAR COTTON BOWL CLASSIC ALUMS IN THE 2023-24 NFL PLAYOFFS DIVISIONAL ROUND
 
Baltimore Ravens (6)
Jalyn Armour-Davis, Alabama*
J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State*
Malik Harrison, Ohio State
Marlon Humphrey, Alabama
Jeremiah Moon, Florida***
Sam Mustipher, Notre Dame
Odafe Jayson Oweh, Penn State
John Simpson, Clemson
Jordan Stout, Penn State
 
Buffalo Bills (7)
David Edwards, Wisconsin
Kaiir Elam, Florida
Damien Harris, Alabama*
Von Miller, Texas A&M
Mitch Morse, Missouri
Baylon Spector, Clemson
Justin Shorter, Florida
Dorian Williams, Tulane
 
Detroit Lions (4)
Brian Branch, Alabama
Charles Harris, Missouri***
Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
Jameson Williams, Alabama
Brock Wright, Notre Dame
Dan Campbell, Texas A&M (Head Coach)
J.T. Barrett, Ohio State (Assistant Quarterbacks Coach)
 
Green Bay Packers (5)
Sean Clifford, Penn State
Brenton Cox Jr., Florida
Michael Jordan, Ohio State**
Josh Myers, Ohio State***
Tedarrell Slaton, Florida
Patrick Taylor, Memphis
Rasheed Walker, Penn State
 
Houston Texans (9)
Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
Michael Deiter, Wisconsin
Christian Harris, Alabama
Kurt Hinish, Notre Dame
John Metchie III, Alabama^
Dare Ogunbowale, Wisconsin
Dameon Pierce, Florida
Troy Pride Jr., Notre Dame**
Myjai Sanders, Cincinnati
Juice Scruggs, Penn State
Henry To'oTo'o, Alabama
DeMeco Ryans, Alabama (Head Coach)
 
Kansas City Chiefs (4)
Blake Bell, Oklahoma
Bryan Cook, Cincinnati*
Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
Justyn Ross, Clemson
Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame
 
San Francisco 49ers (7)
Aaron Banks, Notre Dame
Nick Bosa, Ohio State
Austin Bryant, Clemson**
Sam Darnold, Southern California
Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
Cameron Latu, Alabama*
Jaylon Moore, Western Michigan***
Taybor Pepper, Michigan State
Brayden Willis, Oklahoma
Chase Young, Ohio State
 
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4)
Mike Evans, Texas A&M
Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame
J.J. Russell, Memphis
Kyle Trask, Florida
 
*Reserve/Injured list
**Practice squad
***Was a redshirt when his team played in the Cotton Bowl Classic
^Was injured and did not play in the Cotton Bowl Classic