By Eric Uribe

Last week, Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers struck a six-year contract extension worth more than $110 million ­— including an NFL-record $61 million guaranteed.

Let that sink in for a minute.

A Nevada alumni is the highest paid player in league history. Not a player from a powerhouse program like Oregon, Alabama or Texas, but a Wolf Pack player. I

It’s truly an extraordinary feat. Before Kaepernick was swimming in money, he was roaming the Nevada campus and lighting up Mackay Stadium. When the quarterback led the 49ers to the Super Bowl a year ago, Kaepernick brought an abundance of publicity to the institution — creating a mini “Flutie Effect.”

However, Kaepernick isn’t the only Wolf Pack alumni doing big things in the pros. Denver Nuggets center Javale McGee (pictured above as No. 34) signed a four-year, $44 million contract in 2012.

While he might be a mainstay in SportsCenter’s Not Top 10 plays, his freakish athleticism is rare ­— evident by McGee’s 2011 Slam Dunk performance. Despite being a mid-major school, Nevada holds its own when sending players to pros.

Wolf Pack players in the National Football League (this is only a partial list):

Joel Bitonio, Offensive Tackle- Cleveland Browns

Nate Burleson, Wide Receiver- Cleveland Browns

Rishard Mathews, Wide Receiver Miami Dolphins

Brandon Marshall, Linebacker, Denver Broncos

Former Wolf Pack players Ramon Sessions (11) and Javale McGee (34) exit the court during their playing days at the university.

Wolf Pack players in the National Basketball Association:

Luke Babbitt, Forward- New Orleans Pelicans

Javale McGee, Center- Denver Nuggets

Ramon Sessions, Point Guard- Milwaukee Bucks

Eric Uribe can be reached at euribe@sagebrush.unr.edu.