Utah locals in NFL Week 9


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SALT LAKE CITY — The NFL regular season is half done, and it's time to identify the best Utah locals in the NFL through nine weeks of NFL play.

KSL's best include former Utah State Aggie and current Seattle Seahawk Bobby Wagner, former BYU Cougar and current Kansas City Chief Daniel Sorensen, and former Ute and current Kansas City Chief Alex Smith.

Wagner has had a monster year thus far, recording 88 tackles, good for second in the NFL. In addition to a monstrous tackle total, Wagner has recorded 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, an interception and three pass deflections.

Sorensen has been impressive for Kansas City, recording 34 tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and two interceptions, one of which he returned 48 yards for a touchdown against the Saints in Week 7.

Smith is having the most efficient season of his NFL career, completing 66 percent of his passes for a 94.3 quarterback rating, nearly nine points higher than his career rating. He's also thrown for 1,638 yards, with eight touchdowns against two interceptions.

Who is your pick for best local in the NFL?

BYU

  • Ezekiel Ansah: Detroit Lions, defensive end — Did not play (DNP) due to ankle injury against Minnesota in a 22-16 Lions' victory.

  • Dennis Pitta: Baltimore Ravens, tight end — Pitta caught two passes for 14 yards in the Ravens' 21-14 win over Pittsburgh.

  • Daniel Sorensen: Kansas City Chiefs, defensive back — Sorensen recorded five tackles in the Chiefs' 19-14 victory over Jacksonville.

  • Kyle Van Noy: New England Patriots, linebacker — Has yet to play with New England after being acquired in a trade on Oct. 25.

Utah

  • Matt Asiata: Minnesota Vikings, running back — Asiata had nine carries for 27 yards and two catches for 14 yards in the Vikings' loss to Detroit.

  • Devontae Booker: Denver Broncos, running back — Booker had 10 carries for 22 yards and one catch for 8 yards in the Broncos' 30-20 loss to Oakland.

  • Paul Kruger: New Orleans Saints, defensive end — Did not record a stat in the Saints' 41-23 win over San Francisco.

  • Star Lotulelei: Carolina Panthers, defensive tackle — Lotulelei did not record a stat in the Panthers' 13-10 win over Los Angeles.

  • Brice McCain: Tennessee Titans, cornerback — McCain recorded two tackles as the Titans fell to San Diego in a 43-35 shootout.

  • Keith McGill: Oakland Raiders, defensive back — McGill recorded two tackles as the Raiders beat the Broncos 30-20.

  • Jared Norris: Carolina Panthers, linebacker — Did not record a stat in the Panthers' win.

  • Tenny Palepoi: San Diego Chargers, defensive tackle — Did not record a stat in the Chargers' win.

  • Eric Rowe: New England Patriots, defensive back — The Patriots spent the week on a bye, and are reportedly trying to solidify their starting cornerback spot opposite Malcolm Butler. Rowe, who was acquired earlier this season via trade with Philadelphia, has seen a good bulk of the work there this season, recording 10 tackles and two pass deflections in three games as a Patriot.

  • Sealver Siliga: Seattle Seahawks, defensive tackle — Siliga recorded one tackle in the Seahawks' 31-25 "Monday Night Football" win over the Bills.

  • Sean Smith: Oakland Raiders, cornerback — Smith was limited in practice this past week due to a bad shoulder, and ended up sitting out Sunday night's marquee matchup with Denver.

  • Alex Smith: Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback — Smith did not play (head) for the Chiefs in their win over Jacksonville this past week, but is scheduled to start against Carolina this Sunday.

  • Steve Smith Sr.: Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver — Smith returned to action after a few weeks off nursing a bad ankle, catching four passes for 47 yards in the Ravens' win over Pittsburgh.

  • Paul Soliai: Carolina Panthers, defensive tackle — Did not record a stat in the win over Los Angeles.

  • Eric Weddle: Baltimore Ravens, safety — Weddle recorded four tackles and a pass deflection in the Ravens' win.

Utah State

  • Maurice Alexander: Los Angeles Rams, safety — Alexander recorded one tackle in a Rams loss.

  • Marwin Evans: Green Bay Packers, safety — Evans did not record a stat in Green Bay's loss to Indianapolis.

  • Kyler Fackrell: Green Bay Packers, linebacker — Fackrell recorded three tackles and a pass deflection in the Packers' loss.

  • Nevin Lawson: Detroit Lions, cornerback — Lawson recorded four tackles in the Lions' win over Minnesota, but did injure his calf and is questionable for the Lions' next game.

  • Robert Turbin: Indianapolis Colts, running back — Turbin carried two times for 10 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards and the Colts were victorious over Green Bay, 31-26.

  • Zach Vigil: Miami Dolphins, linebacker — Vigil made his return to the Dolphins' active squad this week, yet failed to record a stat in the Dolphins' 27-23 win over the Jets.

  • Nick Vigil: Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker — Bye, next up against the Giants Monday, Nov. 14.

  • Bobby Wagner: Seattle Seahawks, linebacker — Wagner had 16 tackles and half a sack in the Seahawks' win over the Bills.

  • Kerwynn Williams: Arizona Cardinals, running back — Bye week, next up San Francisco Sunday, Nov. 13.

Southern Utah

  • Miles Killebrew: Detroit Lions, safety — Recorded two tackles in the Lions' win over the Vikings.

  • LeShaun Sims: Tennessee Titans, cornerback — Recorded one tackle in the Titans' loss to San Diego.
Stephen Lindsey is a student at the University of Utah currently working as an intern with KSL.com in Salt Lake City. Contact him at th3sl3@gmail.com or interact via his Twitter handle, @slthe3

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