Ferris State Product Justin Zimmer Joins Cleveland Browns To Become 4th FSU Alum On Active NFL Roster

Big Rapids, Mich. - Former Ferris State University football standout Justin Zimmer (Greenville) was signed to the active roster of the National Football League's (NFL) Cleveland Browns on Tuesday, becoming the fourth former Bulldog player currently on an active NFL roster this fall.

Zimmer had been on the practice squad of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons and had been with the club for most the past year and a half after originally beginning his professional career with the New Orleans Saints. He also spent time in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes.

Along with Zimmer, former Bulldog defensive back Tavierre Thomas is also on the Browns' active roster while former standout defensive tackle Zach Sieler is on the Baltimore Ravens' active roster with former quarterback Jason Vander Laan currently seeing action on the field for the New Orleans Saints. The four alums currently on active rosters represents the most at a single time in school history.

Zimmer finished his collegiate career as a three-time All-GLIAC First Team selection for the Bulldogs. He was both a nominee for the Gene Upshaw NCAA Division II Lineman of the Year Award and the Cliff Harris National Small College Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2015 after being a national finalist for both honors the previous campaign.

Statistically, Zimmer led Ferris State in tackles (81), quarterback sacks (13), tackles for loss (26) and forced fumbles (four). He was also chosen to the 2015 CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team squad, making him a three-time Academic All-American and two-time first-team recipient.

As a senior, Zimmer helped lead the Bulldogs to an 11-1 overall record for the second-straight year in 2015 as FSU captured the school's second-straight GLIAC Championship while capping off back-to-back unbeaten regular seasons. Ferris State also stretched its regular-season win streak to 25 games and posted its first playoff victory in 19 years during Zimmer's senior campaign.

During his collegiate career, FSU posted the GLIAC's best league record (34-6) and the squad owned the top overall four-year record of all 21 collegiate programs in Michigan (37-9).