Skip to main content

Utes in the Pros: 2021 NFL Season Preview

Sep 8, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Football program will be well represented in week one of the 2021 NFL season as 23 former Utes suit up for their respective teams with a total of 27 former players on rosters in the league.

While there won't be any Ute rookies this season, the former Utes representing the U. this season bring versatility, size and experience to their teams' rosters, all vying for the ultimate prize – a Super Bowl title.

How to watch your Utes in Week 1

Day Game Time (MT) TV Players
Thurs., Sept. 9 Dallas at Tampa Bay  6:20 p.m.  NBC #56 Bradlee Anae (Dallas)
Sun., Sept. 12 Pittsburgh at Buffalo 11 a.m.  CBS #98 Star Lotulelei (Buffalo)
#20 Zack Moss (Buffalo)
Sun., Sept. 12 San Francisco at Detroit 11 a.m.  FOX #98 John Penisini (Detroit)
#66 Darrin Paulo (Detroit)
#6 Mitch Wishnowsky (San Francisco)
Sun., Sept. 12 Arizona at Tennessee  11 a.m.  CBS #49 Kylie Fitts (Arizona)
#95 Leki Fotu (Arizona)
Sun., Sept. 12  Seattle at Indianapolis  11 a.m. FOX #57 Cody Barton (Seattle)
#27 Marquise Blair (Seattle)
#32 Julian Blackmon (Indianapolis)
Sun., Sept. 12  L.A. Chargers at Washington 11 a.m. CBS #50 Jared Norris (Washington)
Sun., Sept. 12 NY Jets at Carolina  11 a.m. CBS #40 Javelin Guidry (NY Jets)
Sun., Sept. 12 Miami at New England 2:25 p.m. CBS #21 Eric Rowe (Miami)
Sun., Sept. 12 Green Bay at New Orleans 2:25 p.m. FOX #42 Chase Hansen (New Orleans)
#43 Marcus Williams (New Orleans)
Sun., Sept. 12  Denver at NY Giants  2:25 p.m. FOX #72 Garett Bolles (Denver)
#81 Tim Patrick (Denver)
#28 Devonate Booker (NY Giants)
Sun., Sept. 12  Chicago at L.A. Rams 6:20 p.m.  NBC #33 Jaylon Johnson (Chicago)
#26 Terrell Burgess (LA Rams)
#8 Matt Gay (LA Rams)
Mon., Sept. 13 Baltimore at Las Vegas 6:15 p.m. ESPN/ABC #2 Tyler Huntley (Baltimore)

Prior to the season starting, the NFL ran through three weeks of preseason play with the Utes getting plenty of reps and starts as their teams prepared for the regular season.

NFL Preseason Recap

Bradlee Anae | DL | Dallas Cowboys

Game Result Stats
at Arizona L, 19-16 Started on DL
vs. Houston  L, 20-14 3 tackles (1.0 TFL)
vs. Jacksonville  L, 34-14 Started on DL; 2 tackles

Cody Barton | LB | Seattle Seahawks

Game Result Stats
at Las Vegas L, 20-7  9 tackles (2.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks)
vs. Denver L, 30-3 Started at LB; 2 tackles, 1 PD
vs. LA Chargers  W, 27-0 Started at LB; 5 tackles (1.0 TFL, 1.0 sack), 1 FF, 1 QBH

Jackson Barton | OL | NY Giants     

Game Result Stats
vs. NY Jets L, 12-7 Played on the OL
at Cleveland L, 17-13 Started at LT
vs. New England L, 22-20 Played on the OL

     
Julian Blackmon | FS | Indianapolis    

Game Result Stats
vs. Carolina W, 21-18 Started at FS
at Minnesota  W, 12-10  Started at FS; 4 tackles

Marquise Blair | S | Seattle                

Game Result Stats
vs. LA Chargers  W, 27-0 Started at S; 2 tackles, 1 FR (TD)

Garett Bolles | OL | Denver    

Game Result Stats
at Seattle  W, 30-3 Started at LT
vs. LA Rams  W, 17-12   Started at LT

Devontae Booker | RB | NY Giants      

Game Result Stats
vs. NY Jets L, 12-7 Started at RB; 3 carries for 12 yds
at Cleveland L, 17-13 Started at RB; 6 rush, 27 yds, 1 TD | 2 rec., 13 yds
vs. New England L, 22-20 Started at RB; 7 rush, 14 yds; 1 rec., 3 yds

Terrell Burgess | S | LA Rams            

Game Result Stats
vs. Las Vegas  L, 17-16  Started at S; 1 tackle
at Denver  L, 17-12 Started at S; 2 tackles

Kylie Fitts | LB | Arizona         

Game Result Stats
vs. Dallas W, 19-16   Played at LB & on special teams, 1 tackle

Leki Fotu | DL | Arizona    

Game Result Stats
vs. Kansas City L, 17-10 Started on DL; 2 tackles, 1 QBH

Matt Gay | PK | LA Rams        

Game Result Stats
vs. LA Chargers L, 13-6  Handled KOs and a PAT
vs. Las Vegas L, 17-16   1-1 PAT, 36-yd FG
at Denver  L, 17-12 4 FGs (23, 54, 30, 23)

Javelin Guidry | NB | NY Jets  

Game Result Stats
at NY Giants W, 12-7  Started at NB; 1 PD
at Green Bay  W, 23-14   1 tackle
vs. Philadelphia  T, 31-31 Played at NB & on special teams

Chase Hansen | LB | New Orleans      

Game Result Stats
at Baltimore L, 17-14 Started at LB, 2 tackles, 1 QBH
vs. Jacksonville W, 23-21   2 tackles

Tyler Huntley | QB | Baltimore             

Game Result Stats
vs. New Orleans W, 17-14 12-16-0, 79 yds; 7 rush, 43 yds (6.1 ypc), 1 TD
at Carolina W, 20-3   Started at QB; 24-34-1, 187 yds; 7 rush, 23 yds
at Washington  W, 37-3  24-33-0, 285 yds, 4 TDs; 6 rush, 14 yds, 1 TD

Jaylon Johnson | CB | Chicago

Game Result Stats
vs. Miami  W, 20-13 Started at CB; 2 tackles
vs. Buffalo L, 41-15 Started at CB; 2 PD

Star Lotulelei | DL | Buffalo   

Game Result Stats
vs. Green Bay W, 19-0  Started on DL; 1 tackle

Zack Moss | RB | Buffalo        

Game Result Stats
at Chicago L, 41-15 4 rush, 21 yds (5.3 ypc)
vs. Green Bay W, 19-0 4 rush, 10 yds | 1 rec., 3 yds

Jared Norris | LB | Washington           

Game Result Stats
at New England L, 22-13 1 tackle
vs. Cincinnati W, 17-13  2 tackles
vs. Baltimore  L, 37-3  7 tackles (1.0 TFL)

Tim Patrick | WR | Denver       

Game Result Stats
vs. LA Rams W, 17-12  Started at WR

Darrin Paulo | OL | Detroit     

Game Result Stats
vs. Buffalo L, 16-15 Played on OL & on special teams
at Pittsburgh  L, 26-20 Played on OL & on special teams
vs. Indianapolis  L, 27-17  Played on OL & on special teams

John Penisini | DL | Detroit    

Game Result Stats
vs. Indianapolis  L, 27-17  Played on DL

Eric Rowe | S | Miami     

Game Result Stats
at Chicago L, 20-13 Started at S, 1 tackle, 1 PD
vs. Atlanta W, 37-17 Started at S; 1 tackle, 1 PD

     
Marcus Williams | FS | New Orleans                

Game Result Stats
vs. Jacksonville W, 23-21 Started at FS; 1 tackle, 1 PD

Mitch Wishnowsky, San Francisco           

Game Result Stats
vs. Kansas City L, 19-16 8 punts, 378 yds (47.3), 1 TB, 2 IN20, 60 LG
at LA Chargers  W, 15-10 7 punts, 326 yds (46.6 avg), 1 TB, 2 IN20, 59 LG
vs. Las Vegas  W, 34-10 4 punts, 247 yds (56.8 avg), 1 TB, 3 IN20, 75 LG

With the 27 Utes on rosters this season, Utah is also represented in the coaching realm with Alex Whittingham serving as the Kansas City Chiefs defensive quality control coach.

Current Utes in the NFL
Offensive Line
Jackson Barton, NY Giants (PS)
Garett Bolles, Denver
Darrin Paulo, Detroit
Jeremiah Poutasi, LA Raiders (PS)
Sam Tevi, Indianapolis (IR)
 
Quarterbacks
Tyler Huntley, Baltimore
 
Running Backs
Devontae Booker, NY Giants
Zack Moss, Buffalo
 
Wide Receivers
Tim Patrick, Denver
 
Defensive Line
Bradlee Anae, Dallas
Leki Fotu, Arizona
Star Lotulelei, Buffalo
John Penisini, Detroit
 
Linebackers
Cody Barton, Seattle
Francis Bernard, Dallas (IR)
Kylie Fitts, Arizona
Chase Hansen, New Orleans
Jared Norris, Washington
 
Defensive Backs
Julian Blackmon, Indianapolis
Marquise Blair, Seattle
Terrell Burgess, LA Rams
Javelin Guidry, NY Jets
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago
Eric Rowe, Miami
Marcus Williams, New Orleans
 
Special Teams
Matt Gay, LA Rams
Mitch Wishnowsky, San Francisco
 
IR = Injured/Reserve
PS = Practice Squad