Local NFL Players Help Teams Advance To Conference Championships
Jan 22, 2022, 9:34 PM | Updated: Jan 23, 2022, 8:09 pm

Los Angeles Rams kicker Matt Gay (8) is hugged by coaches and teammates after making the game winning 30 yard kick to beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Raymond James Stadium. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
(Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Here is how all of the players with ties to the state of Utah played during the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
Former Utah Utes
Alex Whittingham – Defensive Quality Control Coach – Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
The former Utah linebacker and the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in overtime, 42-36.
Next Game: AFC Championship Game vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Star Lotulelei – Defensive Tackle – Buffalo Bills (11-6)
The former Utah defensive lineman had three total tackles and two solo tackles in Buffalo’s 42-36 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Next Game: None – eliminated from postseason
Zack Moss – Running Back – Buffalo Bills (11-6)
The former Utah running back and the Bills suffered a 42-36 overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Next Game: None – eliminated from postseason
Terrell Burgess – Safety – Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
The former Utah defensive back had two total tackles and one solo tackle in Los Angeles’ 30-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next Game: NFC Championship Game vs. San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
WIN AND GO HOME! pic.twitter.com/t8FbSWdz4U
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) January 23, 2022
Eric Weddle – Safety – Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
The former Utah defensive back had four total tackles and two solo tackles in Los Angeles’ 30-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next Game: NFC Championship Game vs. San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Matt Gay – Kicker – Los Angeles Rams (12-5)
The former Utah kicker was 3/4 on field goals and 3/3 on PATs in Los Angeles’ 30-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Next Game: NFC Championship Game vs. San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Matt Gay FTW 🙌#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #LARvsTB #RamsHouse #GoUtes @MGtweetymonsterhttps://t.co/GEtWawaILE
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2022
Mitch Wishnowsky – Punter – San Francisco 49ers (10-7)
The former Utah punter punted five times with an average of 46.8 yards per kick in San Francisco’s 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Next Game: NFC Championship Game @ Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
Go Niners Go!!!! We ain’t done yet!!! pic.twitter.com/UyTAYOhshq
— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) January 23, 2022
Former BYU Cougars
Andy Reid – Head Coach – Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
The former BYU player and graduate assistant and the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in overtime, 42-36.
Next Game: AFC Championship Game vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
VICTORY TASTES 𝐒𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐄𝐓 pic.twitter.com/tnV7TTEcqb
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) January 24, 2022
Daniel Sorensen – Safety – Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
The former BYU defensive back had nine total tackles and six solo tackles in Kansas City’s 42-36 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.
Next Game: AFC Championship Game vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Zayne Anderson – Safety – Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
The former BYU defensive back and the Chiefs beat the Buffalo Bills in overtime, 42-36.
Next Game: AFC Championship Game vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Fred Warner – Linebacker – San Francisco 49ers (10-7)
The former BYU linebacker had six total tackles, four solo tackles, one tackle for loss, and a forced fumble in San Francisco’s 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers.
Next Game: NFC Championship Game @ Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on FOX
.@fred_warner punched it out for the @49ers defense. 😤🔴💪#LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #FTTB #SFvsGB #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL https://t.co/CIT5uU02XR
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) January 23, 2022
Practice Squad Players
- Bronson Kaufusi – Green Bay Packers (Eliminated from postseason)
- Matt Bushman – Kansas City Chiefs – (Next Game: AFC Championship Game vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS)
- Troy Warner – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Eliminated from postseason)
Former Utah State Aggies
Jalen Davis – Cornerback – Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)
The former Utah State defensive back did not play in the Bengals’ 19-16 win over the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, January 22.
Next Game: AFC Championship Game @ Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS)
WE'RE GOING TO THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! pic.twitter.com/gXde7z27DP
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 23, 2022
Jordan Love – Quarterback – Green Bay Packers (13-4)
The former Utah State quarterback did not play in Green Bay’s 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Next Game: None – eliminated from postseason
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 23, 2022
Tipa Galeai – Linebacker – Green Bay Packers (13-4)
The former Utah State linebacker and the Packers suffered a 13-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
Next Game: None – eliminated from postseason
Practice Squad Players
- Darwin Thompson – Kansas City Chiefs (Next game: AFC Championship Game vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS)
Former Weber State Wildcats
Taron Johnson – Cornerback – Buffalo Bills (11-6)
The former Weber State defensive back and the Bills play on the road in the Divisional Round against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 23 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on CBS.
Next Game: None – eliminated from postseason
Practice Squad Players
- Jonah Williams – Los Angeles Rams (Next game: NFC Championship Game vs. San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, January 30 at 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on FOX)
Former High School Players
Marcus Kemp (Layton/Hawaii) – Wide Receiver – Kansas City Chiefs (12-5)
The former Layton star had one tackle in Kansas City’s 42-36 overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.
Next Game: AFC Championship Game vs. Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS
Practice Squad Players
- Xavier Su’a-Filo (Timpview) – Cincinnati Bengals (Next game: AFC Championship Game @ Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, January 30 at 1 p.m. (MDT) on CBS)
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).