SALT LAKE CITY — Former Ute Sean Smith is balling out for the Raiders. Two weeks after recording his first interception for the silver and black, Smith again came up big for the Raiders in a tightly contested victory over division rival San Diego, picking off Philip Rivers for his second of the season.

Smith also added two pass deflections and five tackles for Oakland. After struggling early in the season, Smith is beginning to reassert himself as one of the better former Utah collegiate locals on this list, alongside former Cougar Dennis Pitta, former Utes Eric Weddle, Alex Smith, and Steve Smith, and former Utah State Aggie Bobby Wagner.

Note: This list does not include offensive lineman or long snappers, of which there are several with collegiate ties to the state of Utah.

BYU

• Ezekiel Ansah: Detroit Lions, defensive end - Ansah, yet again, was held out from practices and the game against Chicago this week, but the latest reports indicate that surgery won't be needed for his high ankle sprain. The Lions are hopeful that he'll return to practice soon.
• Alani Fua: Arizona Cardinals, linebacker - Fua, as reported last week, remains on the injured reserve (IR) list for the Cardinals.
• Bronson Kaufusi: Baltimore Ravens, defensive end - Officially out for the season with a broken ankle suffered in training camp, and will miss his rookie season.
• Paul Lasike: Chicago Bears, fullback - Lasike made his return to the active squad for the Bears, but did not tally any stats in the loss to Indianapolis.
• Dennis Pitta: Baltimore Ravens, tight end - Pitta continued his fantastic start to the 2016-17 season against Washington, catching seven passes for 59 yards. Despite Pitta's good play, however, the Ravens dropped their second game in a row, 16-10 at home to the Redskins.
• Daniel Sorensen: Kansas City Chiefs, defensive back - The Chiefs (2-2) were on a bye this weekend. Sorensen has performed nicely for Kansas City thus far, recording 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, two pass deflections, and an interception playing as the backup at strong safety.
• Uani' Unga: New York Giants, linebacker - Unga appears to be unlikely to return this season after starting the first five games of the season on the IR.
• Kyle Van Noy: Detroit Lions, linebacker - Van Noy had three solo tackles in the 24-23 victory over Philadelphia.

Utah

• Matt Asiata: Minnesota Vikings, running back - Asiata had his biggest game in a long while, rushing 14 times for 55 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 46 yards in the Vikings 31-13 win over Houston. Minnesota is the league's one remaining undefeated team.
• Devontae Booker: Denver Broncos, running back - Booker continued an already impressive rookie campaign this week, rushing six times for 23 yards and catching four passes for 36 yards. The Broncos, however, lost their first game of the season, going down to Atlanta 23-16.
• Paul Kruger: New Orleans Saints, defensive end - Kruger and the Saints were on a bye this week, preparing to face Carolina this coming Sunday.
• Star Lotulelei: Carolina Panthers, defensive tackle - Recorded two tackles, including a tackle for loss, in Carolina's 17-14 loss to Tampa Bay.
• Brice McCain: Tennessee Titans, cornerback - McCain had a tackle for the Titans as they beat Miami 30-17.
• Keith McGill: Oakland Raiders, defensive back - McGill had a tackle for the Raiders in the 34-31 win over San Diego.
• Koa Misi: Miami Dolphins, linebacker - Misi (neck) did not play for the Dolphins in the loss to Tennessee.
• Jared Norris: Carolina Panthers, linebacker - Recorded one tackle in the Panthers' loss.
• Nate Orchard: Cleveland Browns, linebacker - Orchard's time in Cleveland is in a tenuous position right now. A week after being placed on the IR, the Browns signed linebacker Cam Johnson, previously on their practice squad prior to the season. Orchard will miss at least eight games.
• Tenny Palepoi: San Diego Chargers, defensive tackle - Palepoi did not record a stat in the Chargers loss to Oakland.
• Eric Rowe: New England Patriots, defensive back - Rowe (ankle) did not play in the Patriots win over Cleveland, but has been moved off the injury report, per ESPN, who had a nice Q&A with the former Utah man.
• Derrick Shelby: Atlanta Falcons, defensive end - Shelby had a tackle in the Falcons' win over Denver.
• Alex Smith: Kansas City Chiefs, quarterback - Boasting a career-best 87.7 quarterback rating, Smith prepares to face division rival Oakland this coming Sunday after spending the last week on a bye.
• Steve Smith, Sr.: Baltimore Ravens, wide receiver - Smith caught three passes for 29 yards before leaving the game early in the Ravens' loss to Washington. He is currently listed as questionable (ankle) for this coming week's tilt with Giants.
• Paul Soliai: Carolina Panthers, defensive tackle - Recorded four tackles in the Panthers' loss, his best game so far this season.
• Eric Weddle: Baltimore Ravens, safety - Weddle had five tackles for the Ravens in the loss to Washington.

Utah State

• Maurice Alexander: Los Angeles Rams, safety - Alexander had one tackle for the Rams as they fell to Buffalo, 30-19.
• Will Davis: Baltimore Ravens, cornerback - Davis did not record a stat after debuting in his first game of the season for the Ravens. Davis played in place of the injured Shareece Wright.
• Marwin Evans: Green Bay Packers, safety - Evans did not record a stat for the Packers as they rolled to a 23-16 victory over the Giants.
• Kyler Fackrell: Green Bay Packers, linebacker - Fackrell has begun to come on strong as a rookie for the Packers, recording five tackles and forcing a fumble in the Packers' win.
• Nevin Lawson: Detroit Lions, cornerback - Lawson had two tackles and two pass deflections in the Lions' one-point win over Philadelphia.
• Robert Turbin: Indianapolis Colts, running back - Turbin rushed once for two yards in the Colts' 29-23 victory over Chicago.
• Nick Vigil: Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker - Did not record a stat as Cincinnati fell to Dallas, 28-14.
• Bobby Wagner: Seattle Seahawks, linebacker - Wagner and the Seahawks were on a bye last week. They next face Atlanta at home this coming Sunday.

Southern Utah

• Miles Killebrew: Detroit Lions, safety - Killebrew did not record a stat in the Lions' win.
• LeShaun Sims: Tennessee Titans, cornerback - Sims did not record a stat in the Tennessee's win over Miami.

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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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