3 HORNETS TO NFL ROOKIE CAMPS & 1 VET

Former Hornet footballers Dennis Houston, Joey Noble, and Hunter Rison all had a busy weekend at their respective NFL rookie camps, while veteran D'Angelo Ross preps with his new team.

Dennis Houston was a free agent pickup for the Dallas Cowboys, Joey Noble was a free agent pickup for the New Orleans Saints, and Hunter Rison was a Rookie Invite with the Detroit Lions. 

After playing for Fullerton College in 2018, Houston went on to star at Western Illinois where he was First Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference, Second Team MVFC All-Academic, Second Team Phil Steele FCS All-America (Offense), Third Team HERO Sports FCS All-America, Third Team Associated Press FCS All-America, and Third Team Stats Perform FCS All-America. Houston ended his career as a Leatherneck as one of the nation's top wide receivers, starting in all 11 games. He was the FCS leader in receptions per game (8.5), led the MVFC in receptions per game and total receptions, posted a new career-high in receiving yards (237) during the season opener at Ball State (Sept. 2) and collected seven showings of 7 or more receptions. Houston ended his senior season with 1,015 receiving yards and 6 touchdown receptions. On his Senior Day last Nov. 6th, Houston became the program's new record holder in season receptions while ending the year with 90. His longest rush was a 53-yard touchdown in WIU's home opener versus Eastern Washington. 

Joey Noble played for FC in 2017 and 2018. From there he went on to dominate opposing lines at the University of New Mexico where he recorded 18.5 tackles for loss which is 10th all-time at UNM and tied for second in the Mountain West. The 18.5 TFLs also is tied for fourth in the country in the FBS. His 72 tackles were the most for any defensive linemen in the Mountain West as Noble led a defense that showed tremendous statistical improvement, ranking 49th in total defense at 363.1 yards allowed per game, better than the 447.1 yards allowed in 2020 (101st) and nearly a 122-yard improvement from the 485.7 allowed in 2019 (129th). 

Rison played for the Hornets during the 2018 season and then moved on to Grand Valley State. Hunter led the Lakers in receptions and yards with 38 for 516 yards. He was also the team touchdown reception leader with 6 in 11 games played. Hunter was a First Team All-GLIAC selection and was named as the team's Offensive Skill Player of the Year. 

A 2016 Hornet football standout, D'Angelo Ross, has been in the NFL the past couple of years. Signing a reserve/future contract with the Miami Dolphins last January, Ross was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent after starring at the University of New Mexico. He was placed on injured reserve on August 12, 2019, and then moved to the practice squad. Ross was elevated to the active roster on January 2, 2021 (week 17) against the New York Jets. Soon after, he reverted to the practice squad and signed a reserve/future contract in early January. Ross picked off New York Giants QB Daniel Jones last preseason.