photo by: AP Photo/Zach Bolinger

Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Chris Harris Jr. (25) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Cincinnati.

Two Jayhawks heard their names called in the NFL Draft this year, but plenty more who are looking to pursue careers in professional football remained undrafted.

That group includes the likes of cornerback Kwinton Lassiter, defensive end Patrick Joyner Jr., linebackers Rich Miller and Craig Young, quarterback Jason Bean, safety Kenny Logan Jr. and tight end Mason Fairchild, who participated in collegiate all-star games.

It also includes center Mike Novitsky, defensive backs Kalon Gervin and Andrew Russell, defensive tackle Devin Phillips, kicker Seth Keller, linebacker Hayden Hatcher and running back Dylan McDuffie, who along with members of that first group took part in the Big 12 Conference Pro Day event in late March.

Some undrafted players may pursue opportunities in alternative venues like the Canadian Football League or United Football League, as Jayhawks past and present have done. Others, though, could have a chance to catch on with an NFL team in training camp and carve out an NFL career.

Chris Harris Jr. went undrafted in 2011. By his fourth season, he was a Pro Bowler and by his fifth a Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos.

Many undrafted players never play in an NFL game, but here’s a look at a few more Jayhawks since Harris who have worked their way onto the field for extended stretches.

photo by: AP Photo/Joe Mahoney

Denver Broncos linebacker Steven Johnson (53) reacts after a defensive play against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013, in Denver.

Steven Johnson

At KU: Johnson walked on at KU after a knee injury ended his time in prep school at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania. He grew into a consistent starter at linebacker his junior and senior seasons. Johnson led the Big 12 Conference in tackles as a senior in 2011 with 124, including 18 in one game against Texas, the most by a Jayhawk in eight seasons.

In the pros: The Broncos picked up Johnson as an undrafted free agent and he ultimately spent three seasons in Denver, making key plays on special teams including a blocked punt that he recovered for a touchdown against Philadelphia in 2013, and then starting seven games in 2014. Johnson ended up playing nine seasons of pro football with four teams in the NFL, one in the Alliance of American Football and one in the XFL.

photo by: AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio

Tennessee Titans strong safety Bradley McDougald (30) dives on a loose ball during the first half of an NFL preseason football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021, in Tampa, Fla.

Bradley McDougald

At KU: The Jayhawks used McDougald as a sort of Swiss army knife at first, but primarily on offense, as he caught 52 passes for 558 yards and a touchdown across his first two years in Lawrence. By the end of his sophomore year, though, he was starting at safety, which soon became his primary position. As a senior in 2012 he tallied 92 tackles and grabbed three interceptions.

In the pros: McDougald remained close to KU at first when the Kansas City Chiefs grabbed him as a free agent, but he played in just one game for them before catching on with Tampa Bay. He remained with the Buccaneers for three additional seasons, intercepting five passes and recovering a fumble, and starting all but one game at free safety between the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He then moved to join the latter-day Legion of Boom in Seattle behind Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, and eventually took over as a starter there too. He went to the New York Jets as part of a trade for Jamal Adams and played for two additional teams by the end of the 2021 season.

photo by: AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Houston Texans wide receiver Steven Sims (82) returns a punt for a touchdown during the first half of the NFL divisional round playoff football game, against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024, in Baltimore.

Steven Sims Jr.

At KU: The Houston native contributed to the Jayhawks as soon as he arrived on campus and by the end of his career in 2018 had caught 214 passes for 2,582 yards and 19 touchdowns.

In the pros: Sims made an unusually immediate impact for an undrafted rookie skill-position player in Washington, serving as an effective kick returner (with one 91-yard touchdown) and a solid offensive option as he got targeted 56 times and made 34 catches for 310 yards and four touchdowns, adding one more on the ground. He didn’t see as much action the following year, nor the following two years in Pittsburgh. Sims is currently with the Houston Texans and returned a punt for a touchdown in the playoffs last year.