Locals in the NFL: Every former prep and college standout on an NFL roster


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AROUND THE LEAGUE — Former BYU star Harvey Langi didn't get drafted in last April's NFL Draft.

But there is more than one way to make an NFL team.

When the preseason ended and teams had to submit a 53-man roster, Langi was one of the few undrafted free agents from local colleges who found himself on a team's roster. Other first-year NFL players include draftees like Denver's Garett Bolles (Utah), Green Bay's Jamaal Williams (BYU), Green Bay's Devante Mays (Utah State); Miami's Isaac Asiata (Utah); Pittsburgh's Brian Allen (Utah); and San Francisco's Pita Taumoepenu (Utah).

After going undrafted in 2017, Kai Nacua was initially named to Cleveland's 53-man roster, having graded out as one of the top safeties in the 2017 draft class by SPARQ and Pro Football Focus.

“I knew what I needed to show to make this roster," Nacua told The Athletic in Cleveland. "I just told myself that I've played this game for so long, there's no need to psyche myself out."

But less than 24 hours later, Nacua was cut by the Browns to make room for a fourth quarterback — illustrating the cruel reality of life in the NFL.

Langi's inclusion on the 53-man roster was less surprising, and he's likely to stick around. Despite going undrafted following a standout career at BYU where he played linebacker, defensive end and fullback, the Patriots gave Langi a guaranteed deal worth more than $100,000 in base salary and bonuses, according to multiple reports.

The 6-foot-1, 250-pound linebacker led a standout group of linebackers after returning from a two-year mission for the LDS Church and transferring from Utah. He finished his college career with 139 tackles, including a game-high 16 tackles in his collegiate finale against Wyoming in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) during drills at an NFL football training camp Monday, July 31, 2017, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles (72) during drills at an NFL football training camp Monday, July 31, 2017, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)


Here's a list of locals who made NFL 53-man rosters for the 2017 season. The list is subject to change regularly, but we'll try to keep it as updated as possible.

Locals on 2017 NFL rosters

Atlanta Falcons

DE Derrick Shelby (Utah)

Arizona Cardinals

RB Kerwynn Williams (Utah State)

DT Pasoni Tasini (Utah)#

LB Alani Fua (BYU)*

Baltimore Ravens

DE Bronson Kaufusi (BYU)

S Eric Weddle (Utah)

OL Tony Bergstrom (Utah)

CB Reggie Porter (Utah)#

CB Robertson Daniel (BYU)*

Buffalo Bills

WR/PR Kaelin Clay (Utah)

LB Zach Vigil (Utah State)#

Carolina Panthers

LB Jared Norris (Utah)

DL Star Lotulelei (Utah)

OL Tyler Larsen (Utah State)

Cleveland Browns

DL Nate Orchard (Utah)

S Kai Nacua (BYU)#

Cincinnati Bengals

LB Nick Vigil (Utah State)

Chicago Bears

LS Patrick Scales (Utah State)*

Denver Broncos

RB Devontae Booker (Utah)

OL Garett Bolles (Utah)

WR Hunter Sharp (Utah State)#

Detroit Lions

DE Ziggy Ansah (BYU)

S Miles Killebrew (SUU)

CB Nevin Lawson (Utah State)

DL Haloti Ngata (Highland High)

Green Bay Packers

DB Marwin Evans (Utah State)

LB Kyler Fackrell (Utah State)

RB Jamaal Williams (BYU)

RB Devante Mays (Utah State)

Indianapolis Colts

RB Robert Turbin (Utah State)

Jacksonville Jaguars

DL Hunter Dimick (Utah)#

Kansas City Chiefs

QB Alex Smith (Utah)

DB Daniel Sorensen (BYU)

OL Jordan Devey (American Fork High)

WR Marcus Kemp (Layton High)#

Los Angeles Rams

OL J.J. Dielman (Utah)

S Maurice Alexander (Utah State)

CB Dominique Hatfield (Utah)

TE Travis Wilson (Utah)#

Los Angeles Chargers

OL Sam Tevi (Utah)

DT Tenny Palepoi (Utah)*

CB Michael Davis (BYU)#

Miami Dolphins

OL Isaac Asiata (Utah)

LS John Denny (BYU)

LB Trevor Reily (Utah)

LB Koa Misi (Utah)*

New England Patriots

LB Kyle Van Noy (BYU)

LB Harvey Langi (BYU)

CB Eric Rowe (Utah)

New Orleans Saints

S Marcus Williams (Utah)

QB Taysom Hill (BYU)

Oakland Raiders

CB Sean Smith (Utah)

DE James Cowser (SUU)

Pittsburgh Steelers

CB Brian Allen (Utah)

San Francisco 49ers

OL Zane Beadles (Utah)

LB Pita Taumoepenu (Utah)

RB Joe Wiliams (Utah)*

Seattle Seahawks

LB Bobby Wagner (Utah State)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

DE Stevie Tu’ikolovatu (Utah/USC)*

DT Sealver Siliga (Utah)

Tennessee Titans

CB Brice McCain (Utah)

CB LeShaun Sims (SUU)

Washington Redskins

CB Fish Smithson (Highland High)#

WR Dres Anderson (Utah)#


*Placed on injured reserve

#Designates practice squad

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