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UpdateSince this was published on Monday two more NFL players with ties to Utah have landed free agent deals. Former Weber State lineman Pat McQuistan has signed a 1-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
Former BYU lineman Ray Feinga is back with the Miami Dolphins after they cut him last week.
There are also four local players who have earned a spot on NFL practice squads. Matt Reynolds will get to practice with his older brother Dallas in Philadelphia. Harvey Unga will remain with the Chicago Bears and join their practice squad. Sealver Siliga will remain in Denver on the Broncos practice squad and former Utah State quarterback turned NFL receiver and return man Diondre Borel is back on the Green Bay Packers practice squad.
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SALT LAKE CITY — The state of Utah will be well represented when the NFL kicks off the 2012 season this week.
NFL teams have made final cuts and 42 players with ties to the state of Utah are listed on NFL 53-man rosters. A list of players can be found below. That list only includes players listed on 53-man rosters and not players on practice squads. There are sure to be more players who did not make final cuts find a spot on various practice squads throughout the league.
The University of Utah has the most NFL representation among local universities. The Utes now have 21 former players on NFL rosters. BYU and Utah State both have 7 former players in the league. Weber State has two and Southern Utah currently has no former players on an NFL 53-man roster. Snow has three former players in the league.
| Haloti Ngata DT Baltimore Ravens (Oregon) (Highland) |
| Stanley Havili RB Philadelphia Eagles (USC)(Cottonwood HS) |
| John Beck QB Houston Texans (BYU) |
| Austin Collie WR Indianapolis Colts (BYU) |
| John Denney LS Miami Dolphins (BYU) |
| Brett Keisel DE Pittsburgh Steelers (BYU)(Snow) |
| Dennis Pitta TE Baltimore Ravens (BYU) |
| Dallas Reynolds OG Philadelphia Eagles (BYU)(Timpview HS) |
| Vic So'oto LB Green Bay Packers (BYU) |
| Paul McQuistan OG Seattle Seahawks (Weber State) |
| Tim Toone WR Atlanta Falcons (Weber State) |
| Jarrett Bush CB Green Bay Packers (Utah State) |
| John Chick DE Jacksonville Jaguars (Utah State) |
| Curtis Marsh CB Philadelphia Eagles (Utah State) |
| Donald Penn OT Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Utah State) |
| Michael Smith RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Utah State) |
| Robert Turbin RB Seattle Seahawks (Utah State) |
| Bobby Wagner LB Seattle Seahawks (Utah State) |
| Matt Asiata RB Minnesota Vikings (Utah) (Hunter)(Snow) |
| Zane Beadles OG Denver Broncos (Utah) (Hillcrest) |
| Tony Bergstrom OT Oakland Raiders (Utah ) (Skyline) |
| Brandon Burton CB Minnesota Vikings (Utah) |
| Jordan Gross OT Carolina Panthers (Utah) |
| Robert Johnson S Tennessee Titans (Utah) |
| Maake Kemoeatu DT Baltimore Ravens (Utah) |
| Paul Kruger LB Baltimore Ravens (Utah) (Timpanogos) |
| Brice McCain CB Houston Texans (Utah) |
| Koa Misi LB Miami Dolphins (Utah) |
| Sione Pouha DT New York Jets (Utah) (East) |
| David Reed WR Baltimore Ravens (Utah) |
| Caleb Schlauderaff OG New York Jets (Utah) |
| Derrick Shelby DE Miami Dolphins (Utah) |
| Steve Smith WR Carolina Panthers (Utah) |
| Alex Smith QB San Francisco 49ers (Utah) |
| Sean Smith CB Miami Dolphins (Utah) |
| Paul Soliai DT Miami Dolphins (Utah) |
| RJ Stanford CB Miami Dolphins (Utah) |
| Stevenson Sylvester LB Pittsburgh Steelers (Utah) |
| Eric Weddle S San Diego Chargers (Utah) |
| Stewart Bradley LB Arizona Cardinals (Nebraska) (Highland) |
| Will Tukuafu DT San Francisco 49ers (Oregon) (East) |
| Stephen Paea DT Chicago Bears (Oregon State) (Timpview) (Snow) |
The Miami Dolphins have six players on their 53-man roster with Utah ties. The Baltimore Ravens are a close second with five. There are only 11 of the 32 teams in the NFL that do not have a player with local ties.
There are now eleven players in the NFL who played high school football in Utah led by 4-time all pro Haloti Ngata. Former Cottonwood star Stanley Havili has earned a starting spot at fullback for the Philadelphia Eagles.
There are several local players who may have surprised some by making final cuts. Former BYU and Timpview lineman Dallas Reynolds has landed a roster spot in Philadelphia as a backup guard and center after three years on the practice squad.
Former Weber State receiver Tim Toone has made the cut with the Atlanta Falcons. He was drafted in the 7th round of the 2010 draft by the Detroit Lions earning the title 'Mr. Irrelevant"
Derrick Shelby went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft but he has earned a roster spot in Miami as a backup defensive end.
Matt Asiata was working for an industrial supply company in Salt Lake during last season. One year later his hard work and persistence has paid off. He made the Vikings roster and is listed as the third running back behind Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart.
There is a big name missing from this list to start the season. Former Utah State Aggie Chris Cooley was released by the Washington Redskins on August 28 after 8 years with the club. The two-time pro bowl selection leaves Washington with a franchise record for receptions by a tight end.
Cooley, Bryan Kehl, David Nixon and other local vets with local ties hope to land with a new team soon after failing to make final cuts.
