Where local athletes ended up in NFL


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Editor's note: This is on ongoing list that will be updated as local athletes sign with prospective NFL teams. Click back to see where you favorite athlete will play at the next level. SALT LAKE CITY — The 2014 NFL draft wrapped up Saturday night, concluding a three-day event for prospective athletes to test their talents at the professional level.

The state of Utah saw six local athletes earn the privilege of being drafted to an NFL team in hopes of continuing on with their football careers. Soon after the conclusion of the draft, several local prospects signed free agency contracts with NFL teams.

BYU

The Cougars saw linebacker Kyle Van Noy drafted to the Detroit Lions Friday with the No. 40 pick (second round) where he joins former teammate Ziggy Ansah. Additionally, four more Cougars will test their skills at the next level, signing free agency deals with four different teams, according to BYU.

  • Spencer Hadley, LB, New Orleans Saints
  • Cody Hoffman, WR, Washington Redskins
  • Eathyn Manumaleuna, DT, New York Giants
  • Daniel Sorensen, S, Kansas City Chiefs

"I'm proud of what each of these young men have accomplished," BYU head coach Bronco Mendenhall said in a statement. "I'm grateful for their many contributions to BYU and our football program and excited they have earned these opportunities with the NFL."

Utah

The Utes had two players drafted in the later rounds of the draft, with cornerback Keith McGill being selected by the Oakland Raiders with the No. 116 pick (fourth round), where he joins former Ute Tony Bergstrom. Also drafted was defensive end/linebacker Trevor Reilly, who was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 233 pick (seventh round) in the draft. Reilly, too, will play with a former teammate, defensive lineman Tevita Finau.

Where local athletes ended up in NFL
Photo: Josh Furlong/KSL.com

Four other members of the Utes signed free agency deals with three different teams, according to the University of Utah and a tweet from Jake Murphy.

  • Anthony Denham, TE, Houston Texans
  • Jake Murphy, TE, Oakland Raiders
  • Tenny Palepoi, DT, San Diego Chargers
  • Karl Williams, FB, Oakland Raiders

Unconfirmed reports have defensive tackle L.T. Tuipolutu being invited to the rookie mini-camps for the Green Bay Packers and offensive lineman Vincent Jones signing with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, calls made to Tuipolutu and Jones' agent were not successful as of this writing.

Utah State

The Aggies also had two players drafted in the later rounds of the draft, with safety Maurice Alexander being selected by the St. Louis Rams with the No. 110 pick (fourth round). Also drafted was cornerback Nevin Lawson, who was selected by the Detroit Lions with the No. 133 pick (fourth round). Lawson will join in-state rivals Vany Noy and Ansah.

Six other members of the Aggies signed free agency deals with six different teams, according to Utah State.

  • Jake Daughty, LB, Green Bay Packers
  • Joey Demartino, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Tyler Larsen, C, Miami Dolphins
  • A.J. Pataialii, DL, Baltimore Ravens
  • D.J. Tialavela, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
  • Tay Glover-Wright, CB, Atlanta Falcons

Offensive tackle Eric Schultz was invited to the Seattle Seahawks rookie mini-camp and wide receiver Travis Van Leeuwen was invited to the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins rookie mini-camps.

Other

Timpview High School's guard Xavier Su'a-Filo, who played college football at UCLA, was selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 33 pick (second round). Two other in-state athletes signed free agency deals following the NFL draft.

  • Joe Don Duncan, TE, New England Patriots (played at Dixie State)
  • John Martinez, OL, Seattle Seahawks (played at Cottonwood High School and USC)

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