Two former Ferris State football players, Justin Zimmer and Jason Vander Laan, were cut from their respective NFL teams this past week.
Justin Zimmer, a former defensive tackle for the Bulldogs was cut by the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday when the team needed to lower their roster count to 75 players before their final preseason game.
Zimmer played three games with the Bills and tallied three tackles as a defensive tackle, and even played a couple of snaps as a fullback.
In his time at Ferris State, the Greenville native compiled 216 tackles, including 26 sacks and 48.5 tackles for loss. He was named a two-time All-American and a three-time All-GLIAC selection. Zimmer was also a nominee for both the Gene Upshaw Div. 2 Lineman of the Year Award and the Cliff Harris National Small College Defensive Player of the Year Award for two years in a row while at Ferris.
Former Ferris State quarterback Jason Vander Laan was cut by the New York Jets last Sunday.
Vander Laan went undrafted to the New York Jets and was to be utilized as a tight end for the team, despite his outstanding performance as a quarterback for Ferris State.
While at Ferris, Vander Laan was a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy winner, an award for the best player in Div. 2 college football. Vander Laan also set the record for most rushing yards all-time by a quarterback in any division. He was also a two-time All-American and a four-time All-GLIAC selection.
Both Vander Laan and Zimmer still have a chance to make the team’s practice squads.
The third player that went undrafted for the Bulldogs is former wide receiver Jacob Lampman. Lampman survived the first round of cuts by the New Orleans Saints, and will be vying for a spot on their final 53-man roster come 4 p.m. on September 3.
Any player that is cut from a team has the possibility of being claimed off of waivers at noon on September 4.