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AROUND THE SHIELD — Many people in and around college football expected Tyler Allgeier to get drafted higher than he did. While the fifth round is certainly nothing to sneeze at, Allgeier knew that he'd have to be at his best to not only make the Atlanta Falcons' roster but also become a contributor quickly.
Step one is complete: He's on the 53-man roster that was released Tuesday shortly before the deadline for teams to cut players.
Now it's on to step two: become a contributor and eventual starter in the NFL.
Allgeier is a big, bruising back, and he showcased that during Atlanta's preseason games. In the final battle of the preseason, Allgeier scored two touchdowns on nine touches (eight carries, one reception). Throughout his first few NFL games, he demonstrated his ability to bully defenders and earn extra yards after first contact.
As he gears up for the NFL regular season, Allgeier is one of many locals who made an official roster. But with that, there are lots of players with Utah ties who got cut and will look for other ways to make their NFL dreams come true.
Here are the former high school and college players from Utah who were waived or released during the 2022 preseason, including Tuesday:
- Kai Nacua, S/LB, BYU (waived by Jets)
- Samson Nacua, WR, BYU (waived by Colts)
- Neil Pau'u, WR, BYU (waived by Bills)
- Matt Bushman, TE, BYU (waived by Chiefs)
- Marquise Blair, S, Utah (waived by Seahawks)
- Marcus Kemp, WR, Layton HS (waived by Giants)
- Brian Allen, CB, Utah (waived by Saints)
- Tomasi Laulile, DL, BYU (waived by 49ers)
- T.J. Pledger, RB, Utah (waived by Cardinals)
- Troy Warner, CB, BYU (waived by Buccaneers)
- Hauati Pututau, DL, Utah (waived by Packers)
- Darrin Paulo, OL, Utah (waived by Lions)
- Khyiris Tonga*, DL, BYU (waived by Bears)
- Bamidele Olaseni, OL, Utah (waived by Raiders)
*waived on Wednesday
Following the 53-man roster deadline at 2 p.m. MDT, teams have the opportunity to negotiate with players who clear waivers and begin adding them to their practice squads on Wednesday. Many of those who were cut following the Tuesday deadline were signed to practice squads. That list can be found below.
While many players with Utah ties won't make the initial rosters, there are plenty of locals who will. Here's a list of those players who survived Tuesday's cuts and will start the season on the official 53-man rosters.
BYU
- Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU (Falcons)
- Brady Christiensen, OT, BYU (Panthers)
- Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU (Browns)
- Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU (Lions)
- Michael Davis, CB, BYU (Chargers)
- Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU (Chargers)
- Taysom Hill, TE, BYU (Saints)
- Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU (Saints)
- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (Jets)
- Fred Warner, LB, BYU (49ers)
- Dax Milne, WR, BYU (Commanders)
Utah
- Leki Fotu, DL (Cardinals)
- Tyler Huntley, QB (Ravens)
- Marcus Williams, S (Ravens)
- Zack Moss, RB (Bills)
- Jaylon Johnson, CB (Bears)
- Garett Bolles, OT (Broncos)
- Tim Patrick*, WR (Broncos)
- Julian Blackmon, S (Colts)
- Devin Lloyd, LB (Jaguars)
- Terrell Burgess, S (Rams)
- Matt Gay, K (Rams)
- Jackson Barton, OT (Raiders)
- Eric Rowe, S (Dolphins)
- Cody Barton, LB (Seahawks)
- Mitch Wishnowsky, P (49ers)
- Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah (waived by Jets, signed by Cardinals)
*placed on injured reserve list
Utah State
- Nick Vigil, LB (Cardinals)
- Patrick Scales, LS (Bears)
- Jalen Davis, CB (Bengals)
- Jordan Love, QB (Packers)
- Bobby Wagner, LB (Rams)
- Kyler Fackrell*, LB (Raiders)
- Tyler Larsen*, OL (Commanders)
*placed on injured reserve list
Weber State
- Taron Johnson, CB (Bills)
- Sua Opeta, OL (Eagles)
- Jonah Williams, DL (Rams)
Southern Utah
- Braxton Jones, OT (Bears)
- Miles Killebrew, S (Steelers)
High School
- Kaden Elliss, LB (Saints)
- Simi Fehoko, WR (Cowboys)
- Alohi Gilman, S (Chargers)
- Andre James, OL (Raiders)
- Bryan Mone, DL (Seahawks)
- Dalton Schultz, TE (Cowboys)
- Penei Sewell, OL (Lions)
- Jaylen Warren, RB (Steelers)
Practice Squad
On Wednesday, teams began the process of filling out their practice squads with players who cleared waivers. Players picked up off waivers and added to active rosters are listed above, under their respective school's section. Here's a list of locals who will start the season on a practice squad:
- Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah (Jets)
- Mika Tafua, DL, Utah (Cowboys)
- Chris Wilcox, CB, BYU (Colts)
- Derek Wright, WR, Utah State (Panthers)
- Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State (Seahawks)
- Deven Thompkins, WR, Utah State (Buccaneers)
- Ty'Son Williams, RB, BYU (Colts)
- Zayne Anderson, S, BYU (Chiefs)
- Harvey Langi, LB, BYU (Patriots)
- Noah Togiai, TE, Hunter HS (Eagles)
- Britain Covey, WR, Utah (Eagles)
- Porter Gustin, DE, Salem Hills HS (Dolphins)
- Chase Hansen, LB, Utah (Saints)
- Nephi Sewell, LB, Utah (Saints)
- Rashid Shaheed, WR, Weber State (Saints)
- Jay Tufele, DL, Bingham HS (waived by Jaguars, signed by Bengals)
- Nick Ford, OL, Utah (Jaguars)
- Cole Fotheringham, TE, Utah (Raiders)
- James Empey, OL, BYU (waived by Cowboys, signed by Dolphins)
This story will be updated.
