Utes in the NFL: Wildcard Preview, Regular Season Wrap-Up

Photo by: Chicago Bears

Utes in the NFL: Wildcard Preview, Regular Season Wrap-Up

1/7/2021 1:36 PM | Football

SALT LAKE CITY – Eleven former Utes are ready to head into postseason play as the NFL Wild Card weekend gets started on Saturday, Jan. 9 to determine who will play in the Divisional Round.

Multiple Utes landed at the top of their divisions this season, including rookie running back Zack Moss and the Buffalo Bills, who clinched the AFC East title after finishing the year on a six-game winning streak.

Alex Smith and Jared Norris helped Washington to the NFC East championship while Marcus Williams was key in the New Orleans Saints going 6-0 in the NFC South for their divisional title. Cody Barton and the Seattle Seahawks also earned the NFC West title after a 4-2 divisional record earned them a spot in the Wild Card round.

Where to Watch your Utes in the Wild Card Round:

Date	Game	Time (MT)	TV	Utes to Watch
Jan. 9	Indianapolis at Buffalo	11:05 a.m.	CBS	Julian Blackmon (Indianapolis)
				Zack Moss (Buffalo)
Jan. 9	L.A. Rams at Seattle	2:40 p.m.	FOX	Matt Gay (L.A. Rams)
				Cody Barton (Seattle)
Jan. 9	Tampa Bay at Washington	6:15 p.m.	NBC	Alex Smith (Washington)
				Jared Norris (Washington)
Jan. 10	Baltimore at Tennessee	11:05 a.m.	ESPN	Tyler Huntley (Baltimore)
Jan. 10	Chicago at New Orleans	2:40 p.m.	CBS	Jaylon Johnson (Chicago)
				Marcus Williams (New Orleans)
				Chase Hansen (New Orleans)
Jan. 10	Cleveland at Pittsburgh	6:15 p.m.	NBC	Brian Allen (Cleveland)

To end the regular season in the NFL, Utah had 32 former student-athletes representing the Utes, which included five practice squad members. Heading into the postseason, Utah has 14 total players between active rosters, practice squads and injured lists that represent teams in the playoffs.

Regular Season Recap (Players Who Saw Action):

Bradlee Anae // Dallas Cowboys // Rookie // Defensive End
Games Played: Saw action in seven games.
Season Stats: No stats, played as a reserve defensive lineman and on special teams during the season.
NFL Quick Hits: Fifth round selection by Dallas in 2020 NFL Draft (179^th overall).

Cody Barton // Seattle Seahawks // 2^nd Year in NFL // Linebacker
Games Played: Saw action in all 16 games with two starts.
Season Stats: 34 total tackles (23 solo, 11 ast), 2 forced fumbles.
Season Highlights: Racked up a career-high 14 tackles in Seattle's 27-26 win over Minnesota … forced fumbles against the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers.
NFL Quick Hits: 32 career games (4 starts) with Seattle after being drafted by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft (88^th overall).

Tony Bergstrom // San Francisco // 8^th Year in NFL // Offensive Line
Games Played: Saw action in four games after being elevated from the practice squad on November 5.
NFL Quick Hits: Eight-year career in the NFL got started with the Oakland Raiders in 2012 after being drafted in the third round (95^th overall), playing with the raiders from 2012-15 … also played with Houston (2016), Baltimore (2017) and the Washington Football Team (2017-19) … 86 career games with 21 starts.

Francis Bernard // Dallas Cowboys // Rookie // Linebacker
Games Played: Saw action in 13 games after being elevated from the practice squad on October 3.
Season Stats: Six total tackles (2 solo, 4 ast).
Season Highlights: Played as a reserve linebacker and on special teams … season-high two tackles in Dallas' 41-33 win over San Francisco.
NFL Quick Hits: Was on the practice squad for Dallas through the first three games as an undrafted free agent, signing to the 53-man roster on October 3.

Julian Blackmon // Indianapolis Colts // Rookie // Free Safety
Games Played: Played in 15 games with 14 starts.
Season Stats: 38 total tackles (31 solo, 7 ast), six passes defended (2 INT) and one forced fumble.
Season Highlights: Four solo tackles and a forced fumble in Indianapolis' 34-31 win over Green Bay … two tackles and an interception (4 yds) in the Colts' 31-27 win over Cincinnati … one tackle and three passes defended in their 19-11 win over Chicago which included an interception (15 yds) … two tackles and two passes defended against Minnesota.
NFL Quick Hits: Picked by the Colts in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft (85^th overall).

Marquise Blair // Seattle Seahawks // 2^nd Year in NFL // Strong Safety
Games Played: Saw action in two games before suffering a season-ending injury.
Season Stats: Eight total tackles (5 solo, 3 ast) with one forced fumble.
Season Highlights: Seven total tackles in season-opener against Atlanta, also recording a forced fumble.
NFL Quick Hits: Has played in 16 total games for Seattle (3 starts) after being picked in the second round (47^th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Garett Bolles // Denver Broncos // 4^th Year in NFL // Offensive Line
Games Played: Started 15 games for Denver at left tackle.
Season Stats: Graded out at 90.3 by Pro Football Focus, also ranking 24^th in the NFL in total snaps (1,015).
NFL Quick Hits: Has started in every game he has appeared in for Denver (63) since he was drafted by the Broncos in 2017 (1^st round, 20^th overall) … signed a four-year contract extension with the Broncos in 2020.

Devontae Booker // Las Vegas Raiders // 5^th Year in NFL // Running Back
Games Played: Saw action in all 16 games with one start.
Season Stats: 93 carries for 423 rushing yards (4.5 ypc) and three rushing touchdowns … 17 receptions for 84 yards (4.9 ypc).
Season Highlights: Season-high 81 rushing yards on 16 carries (5.1 ypc) and two rushing touchdowns in Las Vegas' 37-12 win over Denver … eight carries for 68 yards (8.5 ypc) with a rushing touchdown against the Chargers
NFL Quick Hits: Has played in 77 career games with seven starts in the NFL … spent three seasons with the Denver Broncos (2016-19) … fourth round draft pick by the Broncos in 2016 (136^th overall), signed by Las Vegas as a free agent in May of 2020.

Terrell Burgess // Los Angeles Rams // Rookie // Safety
Games Played: Saw action in seven games before suffering a season-ending injury.
Season Stats: Eight total tackles (7 solo, 1 ast) with one pass defended.
Season Highlights: Career-high five total tackles against Chicago … one pass defended against San Francisco.
NFL Quick Hits: Picked in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Rams (104^th overall).

Kylie Fitts // Arizona Cardinals // 3^rd Year in NFL // Linebacker
Games Played: Played in 13 games, starting one.
Season Stats: Eight total tackles (4 solo, 4 ast) with one forced fumble.
Season Highlights: Season-high two tackles in Arizona's 30-10 win over the New York Jets … forced a fumble against the New York Giants.
NFL Quick Hits: Has played in 22 career games (16 with Arizona, 2019-20; 6 with Chicago, 2018) … drafted by Chicago in the sixth round (181^st overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Leki Fotu // Arizona Cardinals // Rookie // Defensive Tackle
Games Played: Saw action in 11 games while battling through injuries.
Season Stats: 11 total tackles (6 solo, 5 ast) with 1.0 sack.
Season Highlights: Season-high three tackles with a sack in Arizona's 33-26 win over Philadelphia … three tackles against Seattle.
NFL Quick Hits: Selected by Arizona in the fourth round (114^th overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Matt Gay // Los Angeles Rams // 2^nd Year in NFL // Placekicker
Games Played: Played in seven games after being signed by the Rams on November 17.
Season Stats: 14-of-16 on FGs, 16-of-16 on PATs … 35 kickoffs with a 64.8 yards per kick average and 28 touchbacks.
Season Highlights: Kicked the game-winning field goal in his Rams debut against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (40 yards) … 3-for-3 on field goals, including a season-long 51-yarder against Seattle … 3-for-3 on field goals in the Rams' 18-7 win against Arizona.
NFL Quick Hits: Played in 16 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 after being drafted in the fifth round (145^th overall) … 27-of-35 on field goals (long of 58) and 43-of-48 on PATs in 2019.

Javelin Guidry // New York Jets // Rookie // Cornerback
Games Played: Saw action in 11 games after being elevated to the active roster on October 1.
Season Stats: 19 total tackles (12 solo, 7 ast) with four forced fumbles … four forced fumbles ties for the third-most by a player in the NFL this season.
Season Highlights: Career-high six total tackles against the Raiders with two forced fumbles … five solo tackles in the Jets' 23-20 win over the Rams … forced fumbles against the Patriots and the Dolphins.
NFL Quick Hits: Signed to the New York Jets practice squad as an undrafted free agent prior to the season.

Chase Hansen // New Orleans Saints // 2^nd Year in NFL // Linebacker
Games Played: Played in two games after returning from injury.
Season Stats: Did not record any stats. Was placed on injured/reserve on October 3 before moving to the practice squad on November 26. He was activated to the active roster on Jan. 2, 2021.
NFL Quick Hits: Signed a three-year contract with New Orleans in 2019 before spending the season on the injured/reserve list.

Tyler Huntley // Baltimore Ravens // Rookie // Quarterback
Games Played: Has played in two games after being elevated from the practice squad to active due to COVID/Injuries on the team.
Season Stats: 3-of-5 passing for 15 yards with 10 carries for 23 yards.
Season Highlights: 2-of-4 passing for seven yards and four rushes for 18 yards (4.5 ypc) in his NFL debut against Jacksonville … 1-for-1 passing for eight yards with six rushes for five yards against Cincinnati.
NFL Quick Hits: Signed to Baltimore's practice squad as an undrafted free agent prior to the season starting.

Jaylon Johnson // Chicago Bears // Rookie // Cornerback
Games Played: Played and started in 13 games.
Season Stats: 42 total tackles (32 solo, 10 ast) with 15 passes defended … his 15 passes defended led all rookies this season and tied for sixth overall in the NFL … had five games with two-or-more PD.
Season Highlights: Six total tackles and three passes defended in his NFL debut, knocking down a pass in the end zone for the 27-23 win against Detroit … four tackles and two passes defended against the New York Giants … five solo tackles and one pass defended against Minnesota … had at least one pass defended in four straight games (Week 9-13).
NFL Quick Hits: Chosen by Chicago in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft (50^th overall).

Zack Moss // Buffalo Bills // Rookie // Running Back
Games Played: Saw action in 13 games.
Season Stats: 112 carries for 481 yards (4.3 ypc) and four rushing touchdowns, adding 14 receptions for 95 yards (6.8 ypc) and one receiving touchdown … 576 all-purpose yards.
Season Highlights: 14 carries for a career-high 81 yards and two rushing touchdowns in Buffalo's 24-21 win over New England, adding two catches for 30 yards … 13 carries and 81 yards (6.2 ypc) against Denver … scored an eight-yard receiving touchdown in his NFL debut in the Bills' 27-17 win over the Jets.
NFL Quick Hits: Drafted in the third round by the Bills in 2020 (86^th overall).

Jared Norris // Washington Football Team // 4^th Year in NFL // Linebacker
Games Played: Saw action in 11 games after being promoted to the active roster on October 2.
Season Stats: Two total tackles (2 solo).
Season Highlights: Recorded tackles against Baltimore and Philadelphia.
NFL Quick Hits: 39 career games in the NFL … played for Carolina from 2016-18 after signing with the Panthers as an undrafted rookie in 2016.

Josh Nurse // Jacksonville Jaguars // Rookie // Cornerback
Games Played: Elevated from the practice squad due to COVID/Injuries on the team, playing in two games.
Season Stats: Did not record any stats.
NFL Quick Hits: Signed with Baltimore as an undrafted free agent in April of 2020.

Nate Orchard // Washington Football Team/Tennessee Titans // 6^th Year in NFL // Defensive End
Games Played: Played in three games for Washington before being signed to the Titans' practice squad during week 15.
Season Stats: Two total tackles for Washington.
NFL Quick Hits: 46 career games in the NFL with 13 starts … has spent time with Cleveland, Buffalo, Kansas City and Washington.

Tim Patrick // Denver Broncos // 3^rd Year in NFL // Wide Receiver
Games Played: Started 15 games.
Season Stats: 51 receptions for a career-high 742 yards (14.5 ypc) and six touchdowns.
Season Highlights: Three 100-yard receiving games … career-high 119 yards on five catches (23.8 ypc) in Denver's 20-13 win over Miami, which included a career-long 61-yard reception … 113 yards on six catches (18.8 ypc) with a touchdown against the Jets … 101 yards on four receptions (25.3 ypc) against New England … four catches for 44 yards and two touchdowns against Kansas City.
NFL Quick Hits: 39 career games with 21 starts in three seasons with Denver (2018-20).

John Penisini // Detroit Lions // Rookie // Defensive Tackle
Games Played: Saw action in all 16 games with 12 starts.
Season Stats: 32 total tackles (16 solo, 16 ast) with 1.0 sack and a fumble recovery.
Season Highlights: Career-high five tackles against New Orleans … four tackles and his first NFL sack against Carolina … five tackles against Tennessee.
NFL Quick Hits: Chosen by Detroit in the sixth round (197^th overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Eric Rowe // Miami Dolphins // 6^th Year in NFL // Safety
Games Played: Saw action in all 16 games with 14 starts.
Season Stats: 87 total tackles (62 solo, 25 ast) with 11 passes defended (2 INT) and a fumble recovery.
Season Highlights: Season high 10 tackles against Denver … nine tackles and one pass defended in Miami's 24-0 win over the Jets … seven tackles and a career-high five passes defended (1 INT) in Miami's 28-17 win over the Los Angeles Rams … seven tackles and an interception return for 22 yards against Kansas City.
NFL Quick Hits: 69 career games with 46 starts … has played for Miami the last two seasons (2019-20) after playing three with New England (2017-18) … played on the Super Bowl Championship winning Patriots squad in 2017 … drafted by Philadelphia in the second round (47^th overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.

Alex Smith // Washington Football Team // 14^th Year in NFL // Quarterback
Games Played: Saw action in eight games this season, starting six after coming back from a leg injury that almost took his career and his life.
Season Stats: 168-of-252 passing for 1,582 yards (6 TD, 8 INT) … led Washington on a four-game winning streak that helped clinch the division.
Season Highlights: Played in his first NFL game in over two years against the Los Angeles Rams, going 9-of-17 passing for 37 yards … season-high 390 passing yards on 38-of-55 passing against Detroit … 24-of-32 passing for 325 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants … threw for two touchdowns in Washington's division clinching win over the Eagles, going 22-of-32 passing for 162 yards.
NFL Quick Hits: 174 career games with 167 starts … 5,193 passing yards and 199 touchdown passes as a pro … three-time Pro Bowl selection … one of only three NFL quarterbacks to win 50+ games as a starter across the 2013-17 seasons … joined Washington in 2018 after time with San Francisco (2005-12) and Kansas City (2013-17), entering 2018 having recorded at least 320 pass attempts and single-digit interceptions in six straight seasons (2013-18), which was the longest streak in NFL history.

Sam Tevi // Los Angeles Chargers // 4^th Year in NFL // Left Tackle
Games Played: Started in 14 games.
NFL Quick Hits: 58 career games with 44 starts in the NFL … chosen by the Chargers in the 2017 NFL Draft in the sixth round (190^th overall).

Marcus Williams // New Orleans Saints // 4^th Year in NFL // Free Safety
Games Played: Started in 14 games.
Season Stats: 59 total tackles (39 solo, 20 ast), seven passes defended (3 INT).
Season Highlights: Season-high nine tackles against the Raiders and San Francisco, also recording one pass defended against the 49ers … three tackles and an interceptions with a return for 20 yards against Atlanta … also had an interception return for 17 yards in their season opener against Tampa Bay.
NFL Quick Hits: Has started every game he has appeared in (60) for New Orleans (2017-20) … selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft (42^nd overall) to the Saints.

Mitch Wishnowsky // San Francisco 49ers // 2^nd Year in NFL // Punter
Games Played: Played in 15 games.
Season Stats: 66 punts for 3,093 yards (46.9) with a season-long punt of 60 yards … 25 of his 66 punts landed inside the 20-yard line … 42.3 net average.
Season Highlights: Season-high 54.8 yards per punt against Green Bay with four punts for 29 yards … landed three of his four punts against Arizona inside the 20-yard line … season-long 60-yard punt came against Green Bay … also had a 60-yard punt against the Rams.
NFL Quick Hits: 31 career games played with San Francisco … drafted in the fourth round (110^th overall) in 2019.

Brian Allen has not played in a game this season, but was signed by the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 4 from the Cincinnati Bengals' practice squad.