YARDS AFTER COLLEGE

Local Players Entering 2020 NFL Season

Sep 10, 2020, 3:49 PM | Updated: 3:54 pm

Alex Smith - Taysom Hill - Jordan Love...

NFL quarterbacks Alex Smith (left), Taysom Hill (center), and Jordan Love (right). (Courtesy of Getty Images)

(Courtesy of Getty Images)

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The 2020 NFL season is set to kick-off and a number of players with ties to the state of Utah are on rosters this season.

Players from Utah, BYU, Utah State, Weber State, Southern Utah, and many of the state’s high schools are members of NFL organizations.

Whether the local player is a rookie, practice squad player, or member of a 53-man active roster KSLSports.com and the Yards After College Podcast will have their performance covered throughout the 2020 season.

Former Utah Utes

Kylie Fitts – Linebacker – Arizona Cardinals

Former Utah linebacker Kylie Fitts is entering his third professional season and second with the Arizona Cardinals. After getting drafted by the Bears in 2018, Fitts joined the Cardinals after getting cut by the Bears in 2019. He’s a member of Arizona’s 53-man active roster.

Leki Fotu – Defensive Tackle – Arizona Cardinals

Former Utes defensive lineman Leki Fotu is entering his first NFL season. The Arizona Cardinals selected Fotu during the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a member of Arizona’s 53-man active roster.

Tyler Huntley – Quarterback – Baltimore Ravens

Former Utah quarterback Tyler Huntley is entering his first professional season. Shortly after the 2020 NFL Draft, Huntley signed with the Baltimore Ravens. He is a member of the Ravens’ practice squad.

Star Lotulelei – Defensive Tackle – Buffalo Bills

Former Utah defensive lineman Star Lotulelei will not be participating in the 2020 NFL season. Lotulelei opted out of the season in July.

Zack Moss – Running Back – Buffalo Bills

Former Utes running back Zack Moss is entering his rookie season in the NFL. Moss was selected by the Buffalo Bills during the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a member of Buffalo’s 53-man active roster.

Jaylon Johnson – Cornerback – Chicago Bears

Former Utah cornerback Jaylon Johnson is entering his first season in the NFL. Johnson was selected by the Chicago Bears during the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft in April. He is a member of the Bears’ 53-man active roster.

Bradlee Anae – Defensive End – Dallas Cowboys

Former Utah defensive end Bradlee Anae is entering his rookie campaign. Anae was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys during the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Cowboys’ 53-man active roster.

Francis Bernard – Linebacker – Dallas Cowboys

Former Utah linebacker Francis Bernard is entering his first NFL season. He is a member of the practice squad for the Dallas Cowboys.

Darrin Paulo – Offensive Line – Denver Broncos

Former Utah offensive lineman Darrin Paulo is entering his first NFL season. He is a member of the practice squad for the Denver Broncos.

Garrett Boles – Offensive Tackle – Denver Broncos

Former Utes offensive lineman Garrett Bolles is entering his fourth NFL season with the Denver Broncos. Bolles was selected by the Broncos during the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a member of Denver’s 53-man active roster.

Tim Patrick – Wide Receiver – Denver Broncos

Former Utes wide receiver Tim Patrick is entering his fourth season in the NFL. Patrick went undrafted out of Utah following the 2017 NFL Draft. He has been a member of the Denver Broncos since 2017. Patrick is a member of Denver’s 53-man active roster.

John Penisini – Defensive Tackle – Detroit Lions

Former Utah defensive lineman John Penisini is entering his rookie campaign in the NFL. Penisini was selected by the Detroit Lions during the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a member of Detroit’s 53-man active roster.

Julian Blackmon – Safety – Indianapolis Colts

Former Utes safety Julian Blackmon is entering his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts. He was selected by the Colts during the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Blackmon is a member of Indianapolis’ 53-man active roster.

Devontae Booker – Running Back – Las Vegas Raiders

Former Utes running back Devontae Booker is entering his fifth NFL season and first with the Las Vegas Raiders. Booker was selected by the Denver Broncos during the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He signed with the Raiders during the 2020 off-season. Booker is a member of Las Vegas’ 53-man active roster.

Sam Tevi – Offensive Tackle – Los Angeles Chargers

Former Utes offensive lineman Sam Tevi is entering his fourth NFL season. He was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers during the sixth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Tevi is a member of the Chargers’ 53-man active roster.

Terrell Burgess – Safety – Los Angeles Rams

Former Utes safety Terrell Burgess is entering his rookie season with the Los Angeles Rams. He was selected by the Rams during the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Burgess is a member of the Rams’ 53-man active roster.

Eric Rowe – Safety – Miami Dolphins

Former Utah safety Eric Rowe is entering his sixth season in the NFL in 2020. Rowe was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles during the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. After his rookie season, the former Ute was drafted to the New England Patriots. Rowe played for the Pats through the 2018 season. In 2019, the safety signed with the Miami Dolphins. Rowe is entering his second season with the Dolphins as a member of Miami’s 53-man active roster.

Marcus Williams – Safety – New Orleans Saints

Former Utah defensive back Marcus Williams is entering his fourth NFL season in 2020. Williams was selected by the New Orleans Saints during the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Saints’ 53-man active roster.

Jackson Barton – Offensive Tackle – New York Giants

Former Utah offensive lineman Jackson Barton is entering his second NFL season. Barton was selected by the Indianapolis Colts during the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. Barton spent time on the Colts’ practice squad before joining Kansas City Chiefs in the middle of his rookie season. He was a member of the Chief’s Super Bowl LIV team. In September 2020, Barton was released by Kansas City and claimed off of waivers by the New York Giants. He is a member of the Giants’ 53-man active roster.

Javelin Guidry – Cornerback – New York Jets

Former Utah cornerback Javelin Guidry is entering his first season in the NFL. Guidry signed with the New York Jets after going undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Jets’ practice squad.

Mitch Wishnowsky – Punter – San Francisco 49ers

Former Utah punter Mitch Wishnowsky is entering his second season in the NFL. Wishnowsky was selected by the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He helped the Niners reach Super Bowl LIV in his rookie season. Wishnowsky is a member of the 49ers’ 53-man active roster.

Cody Barton – Linebacker – Seattle Seahawks

Former Utes linebacker Cody Barton is entering his second season in 2020. Barton was selected by the Seattle Seahawks during the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a member of Seattle’s 53-man active roster.

Marquise Blair – Safety – Seattle Seahawks

Former Utes safety Marquise Blair is entering his second season in 2020. Blair was selected by the Seattle Seahawks during the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a member of Seattle’s 53-man active roster.

Alex Smith – Quarterback – Washington Football Team

Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith is entering his 16th season in the NFL in 2020. Smith was drafted out of Utah by the San Francisco 49ers with the first overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. During his career, Smith has played for the Niners, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Football Team. He is a member of Washington’s 53-man active roster.

Jared Norris – Linebacker – Washington Football Team

Former Utah linebacker Jared Norris is entering his fifth NFL season in 2020. Norris went undrafted out of Utah in 2016. He played for the Carolina Panthers from 2016-18. In 2020, Norris signed with the Washington Football Team. He is a member of Washington’s practice squad.

Nate Orchard – Defensive End – Washington Football Team

Former Utes defensive end Nate Orchard is entering his sixth NFL season. Orchard was drafted by the Cleveland Browns during the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He played for the Browns from 2015-17. Since then, the defensive end has spent time with the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Seattle Seahawks, Miami Dolphins, and Washington Football Team. He is a member of Washington’s practice squad.

Former BYU Cougars

Ty’Son Williams – Running Back – Baltimore Ravens

Former BYU running back Ty’Son Williams is entering his first season in the NFL. Williams went undrafted out of BYU following the 2020 NFL Draft. He signed a free agent deal with the Baltimore Ravens. He is a member of Baltimore’s practice squad.

Sione Takitaki – Linebacker – Cleveland Browns

Former BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki is entering his second season in the NFL. Takitaki was selected by the Cleveland Browns during the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a member of Cleveland’s 53-man active roster.

Jamaal Williams – Running Back – Green Bay Packers

Former BYU running back Jamaal Williams is entering his fourth season in the NFL. Williams was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Packers’ 53-man roster.

Daniel Sorensen – Safety – Kansas City Chiefs

Former Cougar safety Daniel Sorensen is entering his seventh season in the NFL. After going undrafted out of BYU in 2014, Sorensen signed a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s played for the Chiefs his entire career and helped them win Super Bowl LIV last season. He is a member of Kansas City’s 53-man active roster.

Michael Davis – Cornerback – Los Angeles Chargers

Former BYU defensive back Michael Davis is entering his fourth season in the NFL. After going undrafted out of BYU in 2017, Davis signed a deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. He is a member of the Chargers’ 53-man active roster.

Kyle Van Noy – Linebacker – Miami Dolphins

Former Cougar linebacker Kyle Van Noy is entering his seventh season in the NFL. Van Noy was selected by the Detroit Lions during the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The linebacker played for Detroit until 2016, when he was traded to the New England Patriots. He helped the Patriots win Super Bowl LI and Super Bowl LIII. Following the 2019 season, Van Noy signed with the Miami Dolphins. He is a member of Miami’s 53-man active roster.

Taysom Hill – Quarterback – New Orleans Saints

Former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill is entering his fourth NFL season. He went undrafted out of BYU in 2017 and signed with the Green Bay Packers. Prior to the start of his rookie season, the Packers waived Hill and his was picked up by the New Orleans Saints. He has played for the Saints since 2017. Hill is a member of New Orleans’ 53-man active roster.

Bronson Kaufusi – Tight End – New York Jets

Former BYU defensive end Bronson Kaufusi is entering his fifth season in the NFL. Kaufusi was selected by the Baltimore Ravens during the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Kaufusi played for the Ravens until 2017, when he signed with the New York Jets. In 2020, the Jets moved Kaufusi to tight end. He is a member of New York’s practice squad.

Corbin Kaufusi – Offensive Line – New York Jets

Former BYU defensive end Corbin Kaufusi is entering his second NFL season. Kaufusi went undrafted out of BYU in 2019 and signed with the New York Jets. Like his older brother Bronson, he is a member of New York’s practice squad.

Harvey Langi – Linebacker – New York Jets

Former BYU linebacker Harvey Langi is entering his fourth NFL season in 2020. After going undrafted out of BYU in 2017, Langi signed with the New England Patriots. He played for the Pats during his rookie campaign. Prior the 2018 season, Langi signed with the New York Jets. Langi is a member of the Jets’ 53-man active roster.

Fred Warner – Linebacker – San Francisco 49ers

Former BYU linebacker Fred Warner is entering his third NFL season. Warner was selected by San Francisco during the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Last season, he helped the Niners win the NFC and reach Super Bowl LIV. Warner is a member of San Francisco’s 53-man active roster.

Former Utah State Aggies

Tyler Larsen – Center – Carolina Panthers

Former Utah State offensive lineman Tyler Larsen is entering his seventh season in the NFL. Larsen went undrafted out of Utah State in 2014 and signed with the Miami Dolphins. Since then he has spent time with the Washington Football Team and Carolina Panthers. He is a member of Carolina’s 53-man active roster.

Patrick Scales – Long Snapper – Chicago Bears

Former Utah State long snapper Patrick Scales is entering his 1oth season in the NFL. Scales went undrafted out of Utah State in 2011 and signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Since then, Scales has spent time with the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Ravens, and Chicago Bears. He is a member of Chicago’s 53-man active roster.

Jordan Love – Quarterback – Green Bay Packers

Former Utah State quarterback Jordan Love is entering his rookie season in the NFL. Love was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a member of Green Bay’s 53-man active roster.

Darwin Thompson – Running Back – Kansas City Chiefs

Former Utah State running back Darwin Thompson is entering his second season in the NFL. Thompson was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs during the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV in this rookie season. He is a member of Kansas City’s 53-man active roster.

JoJo Natson – Wide Receiver – Cleveland Browns

Former Utah State wide receiver JoJo Natson is entering his fourth season in the NFL. After going undrafted out of Utah State in 2017, Natson signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Since then, he has spent time with the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and Cleveland Browns. He is a member of Cleveland’s 53-man active roster.

Tipa Galeai – Linebacker – Green Bay Packers

Former Utah State linebacker Tipa Galeai is entering his first season in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2020, Galeai signed with the Green Bay Packers. He is a member of the Packers’ practice squad.

Dominik Eberle – Kicker – Las Vegas Raiders

Former Utah State kicker Dominik Eberle is entering his first season in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2020, Eberle signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. He is a member of the Raiders’ practice squad.

Dallin Leavitt – Safety – Las Vegas Raiders

Former Utah State defensive back Dallin Leavitt is entering his third season in the NFL. After going undrafted out of Utah State in 2018, Leavitt signed with the Raiders. He is a member of the Raiders’ 53-man active roster.

Nevin Lawson – Cornerback – Las Vegas Raiders

Former Utah State defensive back Nevin Lawson is entering his seventh season in the NFL. Lawson was selected by the Detroit Lions during the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Lawson played for the Lions until 2019, when Detroit released him. Prior to last season, Lawson signed with the Raiders. He is a member of the Raiders’ 53-man active roster.

Nick Vigil – Linebacker – Los Angeles Chargers

Former Utah State linebacker Nick Vigil is entering his fifth NFL season. Vigil was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals during the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played for the Bengals through last season. In 2020, Vigil signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. He is a member of the Chargers’ 53-man active roster.

Kyler Fackrell – Linebacker – New York Giants

Former Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell is entering his fifth season in 2020. Fackrell was selected by the Green Bay Packers during the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played for Green Bay through last season. In 2020, Fackrell signed with the New York Giants. He is a member of New York’s 53-man active roster.

Bobby Wagner – Linebacker – Seattle Seahawks

Former Utah State linebacker Bobby Wagner is entering his ninth season in the NFL. Wagner was selected by the Seattle Seahawks during the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He is the Seahawk’s all-time leading tackler and helped them win Super Bowl XLVIII. He is a member of Seattle’s 53-man active roster.

Former Weber State Wildcats

Taron Johnson – Cornerback – Buffalo Bills

Former Weber State defensive back Taron Johnson is entering his third NFL season. Johnson was selected by the Buffalo Bills during the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He is a member of Buffalo’s 53-man active roster.

Jonah Williams – Defensive End – Los Angeles Rams

Former Weber State defensive end Jonah Williams is entering his rookie season in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2020, Williams signed with the Los Angeles Rams. He is a member of the Rams’ practice squad.

Sua Opeta – Offensive Guard – Philadelphia Eagles

Former Weber State offensive lineman Sua Opeta is entering his second NFL season. After going undrafted in 2019, Opeta signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of Philadelphia’s practice squad.

Former Southern Utah Thunderbirds

LeShaun Sims – Cornerback – Cincinnati Bengals

Former Southern Utah defensive back LeShaun Sims is entering his fifth NFL season. Sims was selected by the Tennessee Titans during the fifth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He played for the Titans through last season. In 2020, Sims signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. He is a member of Cincinnati’s 53-man active roster.

Miles Killebrew – Safety – Detroit Lions

Former Southern Utah standout Miles Killebrew is entering his fifth season in the NFL. Killebrew was selected by the Detroit Lions during the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He is a member of Detroit’s 53-man active roster.

Former High School Players

Xavier Su’a-Filo – Offensive Guard – Cincinnati Bengals (Timpview/UCLA)

Former Timpview star Xavier Su’a-Filo is entering his seventh NFL season in 2020. Su’a-Filo was selected by the Houston Texans in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Since then, he has spent time with the Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, and Cincinnati Bengals. He is a member of the Bengals’ 53-man active roster.

Porter Gustin – Defensive End – Cleveland Browns (Salem Hills/USC)

Former Salem Hills star Porter Gustin in entering his second season in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2019, Gustin signed with the New Orleans Saints. In 202o, the defensive end signed a deal with the Cleveland Browns. He is a member of Cleveland’s 53-man active roster.

Dalton Schultz – Tight End – Dallas Cowboys (Bingham/Stanford)

Former Bingham star Dalton Schultz is entering his third NFL season. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys during the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Cowboys’ 53-man active roster.

Noah Togiai – Tight End – Indianapolis Colts (Hunter/Oregon State)

Former Hunter star Noah Togiai is entering his rookie season in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2020, Togiai signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. After Philadelphia waived him in September 2020, the Indianapolis Colts picked up the tight end off of waivers. He is a member of the Colts’ 53-man active roster.

Alohi Gilman – Safety – Los Angeles Chargers (Orem/Notre Dame)

Former Orem star Alohi Gilman is entering his rookie season in the NFL. Gilman was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers during the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Chargers’ 53-man active roster.

Andre James – Offensive Tackle – Las Vegas Raiders (Herriman/UCLA)

Former Herriman star Andre James is entering his second season in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2019, James signed with the Raiders. He is a member of Las Vegas’ 53-man active roster.

Kaden Elliss – Linebacker – New Orleans Saints (Judge Memorial/Idaho)

Former Judge Memorial star Kaden Elliss is entering his second season in the NFL. Elliss was selected by the New Orleans Saints during the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Saints’ 53-man roster.

Bryan Mone – Defensive Tackle – Seattle Seahawks (Highland/Michigan)

Former Highland star Bryan Mone is entering his second season in the NFL. After going undrafted in 2019, Mone signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He is a member of Seattle’s 53-man active roster.

John Ursua – Wide Receiver – Seattle Seahawks (Westlake/Cedar City/Hawaii)

Former Westlake and Cedar City star John Ursua is entering his second NFL season. Ursua was selected by the Seattle Seahawks during the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He is a member of the Seahawks’ 53-man active roster.


The NFL season is slated to kick-off when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Houston Texans on Thursday, September 10.

The game will start at 6:20 p.m. (MDT) and will broadcast on KSL TV.

Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).

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