Following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 25, seven former San Diego State football players reached agreements on undrafted free-agent deals with NFL teams.
Despite getting plenty of looks from multiple teams throughout the pre-draft process, former Aztecs Christian Jones, Gabriel Plascencia, Niles King, Deshawn McCuin, Bryce Phillips, Eric Butler Jr and DJ Herman went undrafted following the conclusion of the NFL Draft on Saturday. The seven now seek the opportunity via undrafted free-agent contracts to prove themselves on NFL rosters throughout offseason camps.
Christian Jones, Offensive Tackle – Cincinnati Bengals
Jones agreed to a deal with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he will compete for a roster spot with the chance to line up and protect Pro-Bowl quarterback Joe Burrow. The Bengals’ offensive line ranked seventh in the NFL last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
For Jones, the 6’9, 335-pound tackle spent his entire college career with the Aztecs, playing in 50 games for the program. Jones is a physical and versatile player who can slide to either right or left tackle, or jump inside to play guard, if needed.
Gabriel Plascencia, Kicker – Chicago Bears
Plascencia took over the starting kicking role for SDSU at the end of the 2023 season and never looked back. He held the sixth-longest streak in program history with his 12 consecutive made field goals.
In his career at SDSU, he was 36-41 on field goal attempts with a career-long of 53 yards, while going 55-56 on point after attempts. He joins a Bears special teams unit that saw kicker Cairo Santos play in 15 games, going 25-30 on field goals.
Niles King, EDGE – Los Angeles Chargers
King joined the Aztecs after transferring from Division II school Grand Valley State. In 2025, King played in 13 games for SDSU, totaling 30 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
The 6’6, EDGE rusher joins a Chargers defense with lots of veteran edge presence in Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipolotu, as well as a fellow rookie who Los Angeles selected in the first round at pick 22, Ahkeem Messidor from the University of Miami.
Deshawn McCuin, Safety – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
McCuin spent the final three of his seven collegiate seasons at SDSU, where he played 31 of his 56 career games in Scarlet and Black.
With 75 career tackles and three interceptions, McCuin joins a Buccaneers secondary with All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as Tampa Bay’s primary lockdown defender. Additions to the secondary and defensive line were priorities for Tampa Bay as the team looks to improve its 20th-ranked scoring defense from last season.
Bryce Phillips, Cornerback – Kansas City Chiefs
Phillips heads to the Kansas City Chiefs to join a defense in desperate need of players at defensive back, after the team traded away All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, as well as losing Jaylen Watson, who also joined LA. Phillips started in every game of his college career at the Division I level, where he accumulated 142 tackles, 28 pass break-ups and three interceptions in 46 career games.
Eric Butler Jr, Safety – Mini Camp invite with Raiders and Saints
Butler spent his entire college career at SDSU playing in 48 games with 119 total tackles, one interception, and nine pass break-ups. Butler will get the opportunity to make a roster with either the Raiders or the Dolphins after receiving mini-camp invites with both teams.
DJ Herman, Linebacker – Mini Camp invite Miami Dolphins
Herman played four years with the Aztecs, appearing in 49 games and accumulating 56 tackles. Herman stands at 6’2, 240 pounds and is a versatile linebacker who excels on special teams.
