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Ferris State Alum Justin Zimmer Draws Nationwide Attention After Big Play In NFL
Posted: Nov 02, 2020

Ferris State Alum Justin Zimmer Draws Nationwide Attention After Big Play In NFL

Big Rapids, Mich. - Former Ferris State University football defensive tackle Justin Zimmer (Greenville) has earned nationwide attention following the biggest play of his National Football League (NFL) career to date.

Zimmer forced a fumble by New England Patriots' quarterback Cam Newton with the Patriots driving toward a potential game-winning score on Sunday (Nov. 1) in the closing seconds, preserving the Buffalo Bills' 24-21 home victory as they improved to 5-2 overall this season.

Overall, Zimmer played in 23 defensive snaps and saw action on three special teams plays in the victory.

It marked the latest big performance from Zimmer this season with the Bills. The Bills signed Zimmer as a free agent this summer shortly before the regular-season started and he totaled four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in his season-opening debut back in September before being assigned to the practice squad.

Zimmer was called back up and played a major defensive role for the franchise in their narrow 26-17 home loss to defending Super Bowl Champion Kansas City on Oct. 19 in Orchard Park, NY. He finished with six tackles to go with a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit despite being called up only hours before the tilt as he saw his first regular-season action since the opening week of the year. He finished playing 32 plays and drew attention as the unit's top defensive player in the game.

Since the call up, he's been on the active 53-man roster each of the past two weeks for the Bills.

Zimmer is one of five Ferris State alums currently in the NFL, which are the most of any NCAA Division II school in the country. He's also among a total of eight Bulldog Football products who have played in NFL regular-season games over the past four years.

Zimmer has previously spent time with the Bills, Falcons, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns along with playing in the Canadian Football League since his Bulldog career ended in 2015.

Visit the video links below for more coverage:

Zimmer Forces Fumble To Preserve Victory

Postgame Interview w/Justin Zimmer

Locker Room Celebration