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The University of Utah Athletics
Jaylon Johnson is one of 31 Pro Utes currently on NFL rosters
Photo by: Chicago Bears 2024
Utes in the Pros: Hall of Fame Game Begins 2024 Preseason
7/31/2024 6:04 PM | Football
Jaylon Johnson, Bears set for Hall of Fame Game on Thursday night
SALT LAKE CITY – While the regular season is still a little ways off, toe meets leather Thursday night for the first time this NFL season giving fans the first chance to see Pro Utes out on the gridiron.
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The NFL's annual Hall of Fame Game will pit the Chicago Bears against the Houston Texas, with former Utah All-American cornerback Jaylon Johnson set to begin his fifth season with the Bears. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. MT inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, and the game will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
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Johnson, a Pro Bowl selection and AP All-Pro Second Team pick following the 2023 season, signed a new four-year contract with the Bears this past March. The 25-year old Johnson has made 161 career tackles in starting all 53 games of his career. It comes with 41 career passes defended and five interceptions for Johnson, which included his first career pick-six during the 2023 season.
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Including Johnson, there are 31 former Utes on league rosters at the start of preseason, eight of whom are rookies looking to battle for spots. Teams have until August 27 to reduce their rosters to 53 players.
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Coming off of impressive collegiate careers, the rookies are Miles Battle (DB, Kansas City), Keaton Bills (OL, Buffalo), Cole Bishop (DB, Buffalo), Jonah Elliss (LB, Denver), Sataoa Laumea (OL, Seattle), Sione Vaki (RB, Detroit), Devaughn Vele (WR, Denver) and Thomas Yassmin (TE, Denver).
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A pair of Utah alums are in the coaching ranks. Coming off a second-straight Super Bowl victory, Alex Whittingham remains on the Kansas City Chiefs staff as defensive quality control coach and begins his seventh season with the team. In the NFC, Brian Johnson has joined the Washington Commanders as assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator.
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UTES IN THE NFL (31)
Updated 7.31.24
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Offensive Line (5)
Jackson Barton............................. Arizona
Keaton Bills.................................. Buffalo
Garett Bolles................................. Denver
Braeden Daniels..................... Washington
Sataoa Laumea............................... Seattle
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Quarterbacks (1)
Tyler Huntley............................ Cleveland
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Running Backs (2)
Zack Moss................................ Cincinnati
Sione Vaki..................................... Detroit
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Wide Receivers (3)
Britain Covey......................... Philadelphia
Tim Patrick................................... Denver
Devaughn Vele.............................. Denver
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Tight Ends (3)
Cole Fotheringham.................... Las Vegas
Dalton Kincaid.............................. Buffalo
Thomas Yassmin........................... Denver
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Defensive Line (2)
Bradlee Anae................................. Atlanta
Leki Fotu..................................... NY Jets
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Linebackers (5)
Cody Barton.................................. Denver
Mohamoud Diabate................... Cleveland
Jonah Elliss................................... Denver
Devin Lloyd........................... Jacksonville
Nephi Sewell............... New Orleans (PUP)
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Defensive Backs (8)
Miles Battle............................ Kansas City
Marquise Blair............................... Seattle
Cole Bishop.................................. Buffalo
Julian Blackmon..................... Indianapolis
Terrell Burgess.............................. Buffalo
Jaylon Johnson............................. Chicago
Clark Phillips III............................ Atlanta
Marcus Williams........................ Baltimore
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Special Teams (2)
Matt Gay (K)......................... Indianapolis
Mitch Wishnowsky (P)......... San Francisco
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PUP = Active/Physically Unable to Perform
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FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Â
PRESEASON AWARDS TRACKER
UtahUtes.com will keep a running tally of preseason, in-season and post-season awards all through '24 as the Utes look to have another standout campaign on and off the gridiron. Click here to follow along.
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The NFL's annual Hall of Fame Game will pit the Chicago Bears against the Houston Texas, with former Utah All-American cornerback Jaylon Johnson set to begin his fifth season with the Bears. Kickoff will be at 6 p.m. MT inside Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio, and the game will be televised on ABC and ESPN.
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Johnson, a Pro Bowl selection and AP All-Pro Second Team pick following the 2023 season, signed a new four-year contract with the Bears this past March. The 25-year old Johnson has made 161 career tackles in starting all 53 games of his career. It comes with 41 career passes defended and five interceptions for Johnson, which included his first career pick-six during the 2023 season.
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ÂJaylon Johnson in 2023:
— PFF (@PFF) July 15, 2024
?? 91.0 coverage grade (1st among CBs)
?? 195 yards allowed in coverage (1st)
?? 33.3 passer rating allowed (1st)
?? https://t.co/3XQSrKFIS6 pic.twitter.com/kHEFeV47lM
year 5 on the way ?? pic.twitter.com/8aB8OQNsfp
— Jaylon Johnson (@NBAxJay1) June 26, 2024
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Including Johnson, there are 31 former Utes on league rosters at the start of preseason, eight of whom are rookies looking to battle for spots. Teams have until August 27 to reduce their rosters to 53 players.
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Coming off of impressive collegiate careers, the rookies are Miles Battle (DB, Kansas City), Keaton Bills (OL, Buffalo), Cole Bishop (DB, Buffalo), Jonah Elliss (LB, Denver), Sataoa Laumea (OL, Seattle), Sione Vaki (RB, Detroit), Devaughn Vele (WR, Denver) and Thomas Yassmin (TE, Denver).
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Baron Browning said Jonah Elliss' upside is "very high" and is happy with what he's seen of the rookie.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) July 30, 2024
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RB Sione Vaki Inside Allen Park during individual drills #NFL pic.twitter.com/kia35pgHt8
— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) July 30, 2024
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Sataoa Laumea seems like such a humble dude. He sounds like he always wants to be improving & learning.
— Bando (@BandoKnowsBall) May 7, 2024
In the clip he explains he can be as versatile on the line at any position as the team needs him to be.
He actually has family abt 10 mins away from Seattle, which is… pic.twitter.com/KTKUXtiaHB
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A pair of Utah alums are in the coaching ranks. Coming off a second-straight Super Bowl victory, Alex Whittingham remains on the Kansas City Chiefs staff as defensive quality control coach and begins his seventh season with the team. In the NFC, Brian Johnson has joined the Washington Commanders as assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator.
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UTES IN THE NFL (31)
Updated 7.31.24
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Offensive Line (5)
Jackson Barton............................. Arizona
Keaton Bills.................................. Buffalo
Garett Bolles................................. Denver
Braeden Daniels..................... Washington
Sataoa Laumea............................... Seattle
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Quarterbacks (1)
Tyler Huntley............................ Cleveland
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Running Backs (2)
Zack Moss................................ Cincinnati
Sione Vaki..................................... Detroit
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Wide Receivers (3)
Britain Covey......................... Philadelphia
Tim Patrick................................... Denver
Devaughn Vele.............................. Denver
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Tight Ends (3)
Cole Fotheringham.................... Las Vegas
Dalton Kincaid.............................. Buffalo
Thomas Yassmin........................... Denver
Â
Defensive Line (2)
Bradlee Anae................................. Atlanta
Leki Fotu..................................... NY Jets
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Linebackers (5)
Cody Barton.................................. Denver
Mohamoud Diabate................... Cleveland
Jonah Elliss................................... Denver
Devin Lloyd........................... Jacksonville
Nephi Sewell............... New Orleans (PUP)
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Defensive Backs (8)
Miles Battle............................ Kansas City
Marquise Blair............................... Seattle
Cole Bishop.................................. Buffalo
Julian Blackmon..................... Indianapolis
Terrell Burgess.............................. Buffalo
Jaylon Johnson............................. Chicago
Clark Phillips III............................ Atlanta
Marcus Williams........................ Baltimore
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Special Teams (2)
Matt Gay (K)......................... Indianapolis
Mitch Wishnowsky (P)......... San Francisco
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PUP = Active/Physically Unable to Perform
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FOLLOW UTAH FOOTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
Follow along with behind the scenes content and coverage throughout the season on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Â
PRESEASON AWARDS TRACKER
UtahUtes.com will keep a running tally of preseason, in-season and post-season awards all through '24 as the Utes look to have another standout campaign on and off the gridiron. Click here to follow along.
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Players Mentioned
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WR
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TE
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