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Every NFL training camp and preseason brings a few surprise stars. An undrafted rookie, a late-round draft pick or a little-known backup suddenly starts making big plays.
One great game turns into another, fans begin talking about the player, highlight clips spread across social media, and many start believing they’ve found the team’s next hidden gem.
Sometimes the hype is real, and sometimes it’s not. Injuries, tough roster decisions or crowded depth charts keep them from carrying that momentum into the regular season. Even so, their memorable August performances live on in the minds of fans.
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That’s what makes training camp and the preseason so special. Every year offers the chance to discover an unexpected hero before the games truly count. Every franchise has its own preseason legend, a player who gave fans hope, created unforgettable moments and became a cult favorite, even if his NFL career never matched the excitement he generated during training camp.
5. Paul Turner, WR (Philadelphia Eagles, 2016)
Paul Turner became one of Philadelphia’s biggest preseason fan favorites in 2016. The undrafted rookie from Louisiana Tech impressed from the first week of training camp and carried that momentum into exhibition games.
Turner looked dependable every time he stepped on the field. He finished the preseason with 17 receptions, the most by any receiver in the NFL that year. He also led the Eagles with 165 receiving yards. His reliable hands and clean route-running made him one of the biggest stories of camp.
Despite that production, Turner did not survive the final roster cuts. Philadelphia signed him to the practice squad shortly afterward. Later in the season, he earned a promotion to the active roster and finished his NFL career with nine catches for 126 yards.
4. Chris Hogan, WR (Miami Dolphins, 2012)
Chris Hogan’s rise to fame started on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” The former college lacrosse player had played just one season at Monmouth before joining the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent.
Training camp quickly changed everything. Hogan seemed to make every catch during practices and preseason games. His consistency impressed teammates, especially running back Reggie Bush. Bush famously called him “7-Eleven” because he was “always open.” The nickname became one of the most memorable moments from that season of “Hard Knocks.”
Even with all the attention, Miami released Hogan before the regular season.
Fortunately, his story did not end there. Hogan signed with the Buffalo Bills and later joined the New England Patriots. Playing alongside Tom Brady, he won two Super Bowls. Hogan finished his career in 2021 with 220 receptions for 2,836 yards and 19 touchdowns.
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3. Zach Zenner, RB (Detroit Lions, 2015)
Detroit Lions fans were quick enough to embrace Zach Zenner during the 2015 preseason. The undrafted running back from South Dakota State already had an impressive college career, including three straight 2,000-yard rushing seasons. His physical running style made him an instant fan favorite.
Zenner backed up the excitement with outstanding production. He led the entire NFL preseason with 183 rushing yards. He also tied for the league lead with 10 rushing first downs. Every game seemed to include another hard run that energized both teammates and fans.
His strong performances earned him a place on Detroit’s 53-man roster.
Unlike many preseason stars, Zenner stayed in the league for many years. He spent four seasons with the Lions from 2015 through 2018. One of his best moments came late in the 2016 season when he started games and scored two rushing touchdowns on “Monday Night Football” against the Dallas Cowboys. Zenner finished his five-year career with 683 rushing yards, 282 receiving yards and eight scores.
2. Victor Cruz, WR (New York Giants, 2010)
Victor Cruz is the best example of a preseason hero who became an NFL star. The undrafted receiver from UMass entered New York Giants camp simply hoping to make the roster.
Everything changed during a preseason game against the New York Jets on Aug. 16, 2010. Cruz caught six passes for 145 yards and three touchdowns on “Monday Night Football.” The performance instantly put him on the national stage.
He finished the preseason with an NFL-best 297 receiving yards while tying for the league lead with four touchdown catches. Fans believed they had discovered something special.
A hamstring injury limited Cruz during his rookie season, but he returned in 2011 and completely lived up to the hype. He recorded 1,536 receiving yards and helped the Giants win Super Bowl XLVI by scoring a touchdown. His famous salsa celebration became one of the league’s most recognizable celebrations. Cruz finished his six-year career with 303 receptions for 4,549 yards and 25 touchdowns.
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1. Colt Brennan, QB (Washington Redskins, 2008)
No player owned an NFL preseason quite like Colt Brennan in 2008. After a record-setting college career at Hawaii, Washington selected him in the sixth round of the draft. Fans immediately fell in love with the young quarterback.
Brennan looked completely comfortable in Jim Zorn’s offense. He finished the preseason with 411 passing yards, three touchdown passes, no interceptions and a 109.9 quarterback rating. He also completed 36 of 53 passes, good for a 67.9 percent completion rate. Those numbers led all rookie quarterbacks that preseason.
One game stood above the rest. Brennan helped Washington erase a 16-9 deficit against the Indianapolis Colts by throwing two second-half touchdown passes to complete the comeback.
Still, the regular season told a different story. Brennan stayed behind Jason Campbell and Todd Collins on the depth chart and spent his rookie year as the third-string quarterback. Injuries later ended his NFL career before he ever threw a regular-season pass.
