Monarchs in the NFL (Active)
Name | Position | Years at ODU | Years in NFL | NFL Team(s) |
Rick Lovato | Long Snapper | 2011-14 | 2015-Present | Packers, Redskins, Eagles |
Taylor Heinicke | Quarterback | 2011-14 | 2015-Present | Vikings, Panthers, Patriots, Texans, Washington, Falcons, Chargers |
Zach Pascal | Wide Receiver | 2012-16 | 2017-Present | Titans, Colts, Cardinals |
Oshane Ximines | Outside Linebacker | 2014-18 | 2019-Present | Giants, Patriots |
Stone Smartt | Tight End | 2019-21 | 2022-Present | Chargers |
Tre Hawkins | Cornerback | 2021-22 | 2023-Present | Giants |
Zack Kuntz | Tight End | 2021-22 | 2023-Present | Jets |
Nick Saldiveri | Offensive Line | 2018-22 | 2023-Present | Saints |
Blake Watson | Running Back | 2018-22 | 2024-Present | Broncos |
Keion White | Defensive End | 2018-19 | 2023-Present | Patriots |
Rick Lovato - Philadelphia Eagles
Lovato begins his 10th season in the NFL and his seventh full season in Philadelphia. In his first season with the Eagles in 2018, he helped them to win Super Bowl LII. Lovato has also played for the Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins. He is the first former Monarch to play in an NFL regular season and postseason NFL game.
Taylor Heinicke - Los Angles Chargers
Traded by the Falcons after cutdown day, Heinicke completed his 10th season in the league after entering in 2015 as an undrafted free agent signed by the Minnesota Vikings. Heinicke never played in a regular season game for the Vikings but saw his first regular season action for the Houston Texans. He earned his first start for the Carolina Panthers and has also played for the Washington Commanders and Atlanta Falcons.
Zach Pascal - Arizona Cardinals
Pascal completed his seventh season in the NFL and second season in Arizona. He played his first four years with the Indianapolis Colts before playing one season in Philadelphia, where he was teammates with former ODU teammate, Rick Lovato.
Oshane Ximines - New England Patriots
Old Dominion's first NFL Draft choice, Ximines played in one game in New England before suffering a season-ending injury. This was his first season with the Patriots after playing his first five years with the team that drafted him, the New York Giants.
Tre Hawkins - New York Giants
A sixth round pick by the Giants in the 2023 NFL Draft, Hawkins has played in 20 career games. He played in three games in 2024, recording 10 tackles and his first career interception against the Saints.
Stone Smartt - Los Angeles Chargers
Smartt signed with the Chargers as an undrafted rookie free agent in 2022. In his third year with the Chargers in 2024, he caught 16 passes for 208 yards. He caught his first career touchdown pass in 2023.
Nick Saldiveri - New Orleans Saints
The second highest draft pick in program history, taken by the Saints in the 2023 fourth round, Saldiveri played in 11 games in 2024 and made six starts at guard, the first starts of his career.
Zack Kuntz - New York Jets
A seventh round pick by the Jets in the 2023 NFL Draft, Kuntz has played in one games in each of the 2023 and 2024 seasons for the Jets.
Blake Watson - Denver Broncos
Watson played at Old Dominion from 2018-22 before playing his final collegiate season at Memphis. ODU's third all-time leading rusher, Watson played in two games for the Broncos in 2024, carrying the ball four times for 10 yards and registering one catch for 13 yards.
Keion White - New England Patriots
White played at ODU from 2018-19. In 2018 he was a tight end before turning into a dominant defensive lineman, setting the ODU single-season record for loss with 19. A record that has since been broken by Jason Henderson. White transferred to Georgia Tech and was a 2023 second round NFL Draft pick by the Patriots. He recorded 56 tackles and five sacks in all 17 games in 2024 for the Patriots.