One of those Knights is Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Torell Troup, who competed for Â鶹ԭ´´ from 2006-09. Troup joined a long list of Â鶹ԭ´´ football players who have received their degrees, both while with the team and after they exhausted their eligibility, when he officially became a Â鶹ԭ´´ graduate this month. In July, Â鶹ԭ´´’s Graduation Success Rate stood at 81%, which was 13% above the national average and the highest in school history.

Last season, Â鶹ԭ´´ led its previous league, Conference USA, for the second straight season with 14 players on opening-day rosters. It eventually had 15 Knights in the NFL toward the end of the year.

North of the border, a pair of Â鶹ԭ´´ players are continuing their careers as Joe Burnett is suiting up with Edmonton and Keith Shologan is with Saskatchewan, and both have already played four regular-season contests.

For a complete listing of Â鶹ԭ´´ in the NFL this weekend and how to watch the Knights in action, check out the below chart. Also, CLICK HERE for details on how to watch replays of games on NFL Network.

Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the NFL – Next Game

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the CFL – Regular Season

“Defence”

A total of 11 Â鶹ԭ´´ players have appeared in the Super Bowl since Shawn Jefferson became the first Knight to take part in the game when his San Diego Chargers battled the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX.

Â鶹ԭ´´ was one of 22 collegiate programs to have at least one player on both rosters for the 49ers and the Ravens.

Despite being on injured reserve, Reid was seen several times on national television on the Ravens’ sideline encouraging his teammates to the NFL title. Reid started the final seven games of the regular season on the offensive line before suffering an injury.

For Miller, his 49ers trailed 28-6 before the fullback helped San Francisco attempt a dramatic second-half comeback. That included setting up key blocks for the offense, highlighted by a huge block on Ray Lewis in the fourth quarter.

Â鶹ԭ´´ Players With a Super Bowl Ring

1. Michael Gruttadauria – St. Louis Rams – Super Bowl XXXIV
2. Cornell Green – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Super Bowl XXXVII
3. Charles Lee – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Super Bowl XXXVII
4. Asante Samuel – New England Patriots – Super Bowl XXXVIII and Super Bowl XXXIX
5. Darcy Johnson – New York Giants – Super Bowl XLII
6. Atari Bigby – Green Bay Packers – Super Bowl XLV
7. Michael Greco – Green Bay Packers – Super Bowl XLV
8. Josh Sitton – Green Bay Packers – Super Bowl XLV
9. Jah Reid – Baltimore Ravens – Super Bowl XLVII

Overall, Â鶹ԭ´´ has five players on rosters for Atlanta, Baltimore, New England or San Francisco. That includes Adam Nissley and Jah Reid who are on injured reserve.

Â鶹ԭ´´ Players in the NFL Postseason

Based on rosters on each teams’ websites on Jan. 14 (including active, injured reserve, practice squad, etc.), Â鶹ԭ´´ ranks in a tie for 10th in the nation with the most players in the AFC or NFC Championship Game.

Teams with the Most Players in the AFC/NFC Championship Games (including inj. reserved, etc. – as of Jan. 14)

Also with 5: Illinois, Missouri, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia

Samuel will be making his sixth appearance in conference championship contests, as he made four with New England and one with Philadelphia. Last year, Reid and Miller made their first appearances in the conference title games in what were their rookie seasons in the NFL. Overall, this is the 10th time in the last 12 seasons in which Â鶹ԭ´´ has had at least one player in either the AFC or NFC Championship Games.

Prior to the 2012-13 campaign, eight different Knights have earned Super Bowl titles highlighted by Samuel who boasts two with New England. Michael Gruttadauria (St. Louis), Darcy Johnson (New York Giants), Cornell Green (Tampa Bay), Charles Lee (Tampa Bay), Atari Bigby (Green Bay), Michael Greco (Green Bay) and Josh Sitton (Green Bay) also have experienced a Super Bowl victory.

NFL Playoffs Schedule

NFC Championship

AFC Championship

Super Bowl

The active rosters are based on the eight NFL playoff teams’ websites on Jan. 10, and does not include injured reserve, practice squad, etc.

Only five schools in the country boast one or more players on six different NFL playoff clubs or more. That includes Â鶹ԭ´´, Miami (Fla.), Florida, LSU and Louisville.

Only one Knight bowed out of the playoffs during Wild Card Weekend, and that occurred when Josh Sitton’s Green Bay Packers got past Josh Robinson’s Minnesota Vikings, 24-10. Jah Reid and the Baltimore Ravens also survived when it defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 24-9.

Enjoying the comforts of a first-round bye were Matt Prater (Denver Broncos), Bruce Miller (San Francisco 49ers), Asante Samuel (Atlanta Falcons) and Kamar Aiken (New England Patriots).

At least one Knight will be guaranteed a spot in both the AFC and NFC Championship Games. The Broncos are slated to host the Ravens Saturday at 4:30 p.m., while the 49ers entertain the Packers Saturday at 8 p.m. This will be the 10th time in the last 12 seasons in which Â鶹ԭ´´ has had at least one player in the conference title games.

On Sunday, meanwhile, Samuel gets to work when the Falcons host the Seattle Seahawks at 1 p.m., and Aiken’s Patriots battle with the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m.

Â鶹ԭ´´ in the NFL Playoffs

Divisional Playoffs

Teams from non-automatically-qualifying BCS Conferences with the most players on active NFL playoff rosters (as of Jan. 10)

1. Â鶹ԭ´´ – 6

T2. Colorado State – 4

T2. Marshall – 4

Teams with the most players on active NFL playoff rosters (as of Jan. 10)

1. Miami (Fla.) – 14

T2. California – 9

T2. Wisconsin – 9

T4. Alabama – 8

T4. Florida – 8

T4. LSU – 8

T4. Ohio State – 8

T4. South Carolina – 8

T4. Texas – 8

T10. Georgia Tech – 7

T10. Kentucky – 7

T10. Louisville – 7

T10. Oregon – 7

T10. USC – 7

T10. Tennessee – 7

T16. Â鶹ԭ´´ – 6

Also with 6: Arizona State, Florida State, Georgia, Illinois, Utah, Virginia Tech

Wide receiver Kamar AikenÌýhas floated between the 53-man roster and the practice squad for New England. The Patriots went 12-4 and earned a first-round bye in the playoffs. They will be in action again Jan. 13 at 4:30 p.m.

In his second season in the NFL, Bruce MillerÌýappeared in all 16 games with the San Francisco 49ers, including 13 starts at fullback. The two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year had 18 yards rushing as well as 12 catches for 84 yards, as his 11-4-1 49ers grabbed a first-round bye and will host a divisional playoff game Jan. 12 at 8 p.m.

In the kicking game, Matt PraterÌýhad another impressive season with the 13-3 Denver Broncos. Connecting on at least 80 percent of his field goals for the third time since 2007, he went 26-for-32 while sporting a perfect 55-for-55 mark in extra points. Earning a first-round bye and home-field advantage, the Broncos get back to work Jan. 12 at 4:30 p.m.

A starter in the last seven games of the regular season for the 10-6 Baltimore Ravens, offensive guard Jah ReidÌýcelebrated a division title and will go up against the Indianapolis Colts at home during Wild Card Weekend Jan. 6 at 1 p.m. Reid played in all 16 games as a rookie in 2011, but this year is the first time he has started on the line.

A third-round draft pick in 2012, Josh RobinsonÌýquickly rose up the Minnesota Vikings depth chart to start six games and appearing in all 16 as a rookie. The cornerback totaled 55 tackles and two interceptions to lift the Vikings to a 10-6 record and a date with the Green Bay Packers in Wisconsin Jan. 5 at 8 p.m.

Tied for seventh in the NFL this year with five interceptions, Asante SamuelÌýcontinues to be an intimidating figure for NFL quarterbacks during his 10th season in the league. In his first year as a cornerback with the Atlanta Falcons, he has 36 tackles and 19 passes defended, highlighted by one of his interceptions being returned for a touchdown. The Falcons went 13-3 to earn home-field advantage, and will host a divisional playoff game Jan. 13 at 1 p.m.

Samuel owns two NFL postseason records with four interception returns for touchdowns as well as 227 interception return yards. He has seven-career postseason interceptions overall, which is two shy of the NFL record.

For the third time in five years with the Packers, Josh SittonÌýstarted all 16 games in 2012, and the offensive guard assisted Green Bay in edging the Vikings for the division title with an 11-5 record. The Packers will entertain the Vikings Jan. 5 at 8 p.m.

Â鶹ԭ´´ has boasted at least one player in the AFC or NFC Championship Games in nine of the last 11 seasons, and six Knights have Super Bowl rings. That list features Mike Gruttadauria with St. Louis, Cornell Green with Tampa Bay, Samuel with New England (two rings) and Atari Bigby, Michael GrecoÌýand Sitton with Green Bay.

When the NFL Playoffs conclude, Â鶹ԭ´´ will still be represented in the 2012-13 season when reigning Pro Bowl MVP and current Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall suits up yet again in Hawaii Jan. 27. It will be his fourth trip to the Pro Bowl in his career, tying Samuel for the most appearances by a Knight. Daunte Culpepper also received spots in the postseason all-star game, earning a Pro Bowl roster spot three times with the Minnesota Vikings.

For complete coverage of Â鶹ԭ´´ Athletics, visit the Knights’ website atÌý.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (Chicago) had 12 catches for 92 yards in the Bears’ 28-10 win over Minnesota. Marshall has 1,017 receiving yards in his first season with the Bears, making him their first 1,000-yard receiver since 2002 (Marty Booker, 1,189 receiving yards). He is only the fifth player in NFL history (Irving Fryer, Tony Martin, Randy Moss, Terrell Owens) to record a 1,000-yard receiving season with three different teams; Chicago, Denver and Miami.

Fullback Bruce Miller (San Francisco) had 3 receptions for 37 yards in the 49ers’ 31-21 win over the Saints on Sunday. Look for him to be active again this week against the Rams as he continues to get touches in the 49ers offense while leading the way for running back Frank Gore.

Cornerback Asante Samuel (Atlanta) had 2 passes defended in the Falcons’ close 24-23 win over the Bucs on Sunday and nearly added to his gaudy career-interception total.

Cornerback Josh Robinson (Minnesota) is averaging 3.5 tackles per-game in his first season in the NFL, while kicker Matt Prater (Denver) hit a 34-yard field goal and was 2-for-2 on extra points in the Broncos’ 17-9 win over the Chiefs on Sunday.

Tackle Jah Reid (Baltimore) made his second-career start this week in the Ravens’ overtime win against the Chargers after missing the first seven weeks of the season with a calf injury.

It was also a milestone day for wide receiver Jamar Newsome. The former Knight was signed from the practice squad on Nov. 24 and made his Kansas City debut with his first-career NFL catch for 10 yards against the Broncos.

In the Canadian Football League, cornerback Joe Burnett was named to the CFL West Division All-Star team along with five of his fellow teammates.

For the complete update on former Knights in the NFL and CFL, check out the below list.

Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the NFL – Regular Season/Most Recent Game

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the CFL – Regular Season

“Offence”

“Defence”

Fullback Bruce Miller (San Francisco) enjoyed his bye week at Â鶹ԭ´´ on Saturday for the Homecoming game against SMU. He will be back in action on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. against the Rams.

Cornerback Asante Samuel (Atlanta) helped lead the Falcons to a close 19-13 win over the Cowboys on Sunday night with three tackles and one pass defended. He also had a crucial 79-yard interception for a touchdown in Atlanta’s tight win over Oakland in Week 6. He is currently fourth in interceptions by active players with 46 for his career.

Wide receiver Brandon Marshall (Chicago) had nine receptions for 122 yards and three touchdowns, including this 39-yard beauty in the Bears’ 51-20 romp over the Titans on Sunday. He continues to rank in the top five in the league in most receiving categories, including fourth in receptions (59), third in receiving touchdowns (7) and second in receiving yards (797) and yards per game (99.6).

Strong safety Atari Bigby (San Diego) continues to make big plays on the field in his starting role with the Chargers. Last week, he had eight tackles vs. the Chiefs and in Week 8, he had 10 stops and one pass defended in the tight game against the Browns.

Cornerback Josh Robinson’s (Minnesota) playing time continues to increase with the Vikings. In the past four weeks, he has averaged three tackles per game against Washington (10/14), Arizona (10/21), Tampa Bay (10/25) and Seattle (11/4)

Kicker Matt Prater (Denver) was 1-for-1 on field goals and 4-for-4 on extra points in the Broncos’ 31-23 win over the Bengals on Sunday.

For the complete update on former Knights in the NFL and CFL, check out the below list.

Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the NFL – Regular Season/Most Recent Game

Offense

Defense

Special Teams

Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the CFL – Regular Season

“Offence”

“Defence”

From the 2011 Â鶹ԭ´´ roster, four Knights are experiencing their first NFL preseason camps: Nick Pieschel, Josh Linam, Josh Robinson and Charley Hughlett. Adam Nissley also was in camp and saw time in week one with the Atlanta Falcons before being injured.

Meanwhile, three players are representing Â鶹ԭ´´ north of the border in the CFL’s regular season: Cedric Gagne-Marcoux, Joe Burnett and Keith Shologan.

For the complete update on former Knights in the NFL and CFL, check out the below list.

Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the NFL – Preseason

Offense

*TE Adam Nissley caught one pass for the Atlanta Falcons vs. the Baltimore Ravens, but was injured in that game

Defense

ÌýSpecial Teams

ÌýÂ鶹ԭ´´ Knights in the CFL – Regular Season

“Offence”

OG Cedric Gagne-Marcoux – Toronto Argonauts

“Defence”

Miller joins a group of Â鶹ԭ´´ Knights who have appeared on the Sports Illustrated cover which includes quarterback Daunte Culpepper and women’s soccer great Michelle Akers.

A two-time Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year, Miller was selected in the seventh round as a fullback by the 49ers in the 2011 NFL Draft. Miller ranks as Â鶹ԭ´´’s all-time sacks leader with 35.5 from 2007-10, and finished his first NFL regular season with 11 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown along with four carries for eight yards in 15 games with eight starts.

As the NFC’s No. 2 seed, San Francisco earned a bye before getting past New Orleans in dramatic fashion, 36-32, in the divisional playoffs. Miller earned the start and a 16-yard reception in the victory.

The 49ers will be hosting the Giants Sunday at 6:30 p.m. on FOX for the right to advance to Super Bowl XLVI.

Miller is not the only Knight looking to reach the Super Bowl. Selected in the third round by the Baltimore Ravens in last summer’s draft, offensive lineman Jah Reid appeared in all 16 regular-season games to help the Ravens grab the No. 2 seed in the AFC. He then saw time in Baltimore’s 20-13 win over the Houston Texans in the divisional playoffs.

Reid and the Ravens travel to New England to face the Patriots in the AFC Championship Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.

Compared to last season, however, Â鶹ԭ´´ players are sprinkled everywhere in the 2012 playoffs. This time a year ago, Josh Sitton, Atari Bigby and Michael Greco were beginning their journey which ultimately concluded in Super Bowl rings with the Green Bay Packers, who knocked out Asante Samuel and the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC Wild Card matchup.

This year, Sitton is back in the NFL Playoffs for the fourth-straight time as he has participated in the postseason with the Packers every year since being drafted in the fourth round in 2008. Along with earning a ring, Sitton was named the NFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year award in 2011. The Packers will enjoy a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout this season’s playoffs, and face the lowest seed remaining Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m.

Also in the NFC Playoffs, fullback Bruce Miller helped block the way towards San Francisco earning the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye as well. Conference USA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010, Miller stands as Â鶹ԭ´´’s all-time sacks leader when he recorded 35.5 as a defensive end from 2007-10. For the 49ers, he played in 15 games with eight starts as a rookie, racking up 11 receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, and four carries for eight yards. The 49ers’ first game is slated for Jan. 14 at 4:30 p.m.

Joining Detroit for its contest at Chicago Nov. 13, running back Kevin Smith went on to start four games (played in seven games overall) and averaged 4.9 yards per carry. He rushed for 356 yards on 72 carries with four touchdowns, and caught 22 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns. A 2007 All-American for the Black and Gold, Smith started the final two regular-season games for the Lions, who are preparing for the NFL Playoffs for the first time in 12 years, and they will travel to New Orleans to face the Saints Saturday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m.

Over in the AFC, Matt Prater’s leg continued to build a reputation in Denver as he booted numerous field goals in the fourth quarter or overtime en route to the Broncos winning the division title. He was 19-for-25 during the regular season and a perfect 30-for-30 in extra points. Prater and the Broncos will host Pittsburgh Sunday, Jan. 8, at 4:30 p.m.

Â鶹ԭ´´’s fourth player who helped guide his team to a division crown, rookie offensive lineman Jah Reid participated in all 16 games for Baltimore, who selected him in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Reid was a two-time All-C-USA First Team member for the Knights and was on the C-USA All-Freshman Team in 2007. The Ravens are the No. 2 seed in the AFC and will host a divisional playoff game Jan. 15 at 1 p.m.

At least one former Knight has reached either the AFC or NFC Championship Game in eight of the past 10 seasons, while Â鶹ԭ´´ has had a representative in eight different Super Bowls.