Former Garner player makes Redskins' roster; others not so lucky

Undrafted free agent Brandon Banks, who played at Garner, showed enough explosiveness on special teams to make the Washington Redskins' final 53-man roster.

As we told you in an article on Aug. 14 (click here to view), Banks ran back a 70-yard punt return for a touchdown in the Skins' first preseason game. In the last preseason game, he ripped off a 40-yard kickoff return.

Only two drafted players made the Redskins' roster so this is quite an achievement for the 5-foot-7, 150-pound receiver who will most likely only see action on special teams unless there is an injury.

Duke's Thaddeus Lewis made the St. Louis Rams as the third quarterback behind Sam Bradford and A.J. Feeley.

Other guys, including former Tar Heel Willie Parker, weren't as fortunate on the last day of NFL cuts. Parker, who made a name for himself as a Steeler, was trying to hook on to the Redskins as well but he didn't make the final cut. The team kept Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson as the main runningbacks.

Also, Scott Kooistra, an eight-year guard out of N.C. State, failed to make the Browns final roster.

Jesse Holley, former UNC wide receiver, was cut by the Cowboys.

Dre Bly, the veteran defensive back from Carolina, was cut by the Lions.

Steven Hauschka, the former kicker from N.C. State, was also cut by the Lions.

DaJuan Morgan, a third-year pro free safety from N.C. State, was cut by the Chiefs, who also cut rookie linebacker John Russell from Wake Forest.

The Patriots cut eight-year veteran wide receiver Sam Aiken from UNC. The Pats also cut a Wolfpacker as rookie center Ted Larsen was let go.

Jay Ross, a rookie defensive tackle out of ECU, was cut by Saints, who also cut third-year defensive tackle DeMario Pressley, who played for N.C. State. The Saints also cut ties with Chip Vaughn, a second-year player from Wake Forest.

Former East Carolina tackle Guy Whimper, who was in his fifth season in the NFL, was released by the Giants.

Rookie tackle Jeraill McCuller from N.C. State was cut by Eagles, who also got rid of rookie receiver Dobson Collins of Gardner-Webb and rookie defensive tackle Boo Robinson of Wake Forest.

Second-year receiver from Carolina Brooks Foster was cut by the Jets

The Steelers cut Kyle Jolly, the former Carolina offensive tackle, and Patrick Bailey, a three-year linebacker from Duke.

Vincent Rey, a rookie linebacker from Duke, was let go by the Bengals, who also cut Gabriel Manns, a rookie tackle from North Carolina Central.

The 49ers parted ways with rookie defensive tackle Kahalif Mitchell from ECU while fellow ECU rookie Sean Allen, a Wilson native, was released by the Bills.

Finally, first-year guy Eron Riley from Duke was cut by the Ravens.

Some careers may be over but other players might make teams' practice squads or possibly be picked up by other teams when injuries hit.