Twenty-two University of Utah alumni are projected to suit up in Week 2 of the NFL regular season, contributing to a total of 30 former Utes currently on professional rosters. This follows a period of significant growth for the program's professional presence, including a 2025 offseason where the university maintained a substantial lead in NFL representation over other Utah schools.
Week 2 Projections
As the NFL enters its second week of the regular season, the University of Utah's professional footprint remains prominent. According to a University of Utah Athletics report released Sept. 17, 2026, the school has 30 alumni on active league rosters, with 22 of those players expected to participate in upcoming games.
Among those projected to play in Week 2 are several notable contributors. The Detroit Lions roster includes Sione Vaki, who recorded two carries for 7 yards and a 11-yard reception during the team's Week 1 victory over New Orleans. The Buffalo Bills will feature Cole Bishop and Dalton Kincaid, with Kincaid having recorded five receptions for 130 yards in the team's 36-31 win over Houston.
In other matchups, Devin Lloyd of the Carolina Panthers and Julian Blackmon of the New Orleans Saints are both slated for action. The Chicago Bears will see representation from Jaylon Johnson, Clark Phillips III, and Zemaiah Vaughn, while the Denver Broncos will have Dallen Bentley, Garett Bolles, Jonah Elliss, and Karene Reid on the field.
Historical NFL Representation
The current level of professional representation follows a period of high activity for Utah-linked players. Back in June 2025, Deseret News reported that 82 players with Utah ties were on NFL rosters during that offseason period. At that time, the University of Utah held a noticeable lead with 32 former players on active rosters, compared to 21 players from BYU.
During that 2025 offseason, the University of Utah's edge over BYU was 11 players. This was a slight decrease from May 2024, when the Utes held a 31 to 26 advantage over the Cougars. The 2025 data also highlighted a significant number of rookies, with 20 of the 82 players with Utah ties being rookies at that time, including 10 former Utes.
Coaching and Staff Roles
Beyond the active playing rosters, former Utah players are also occupying significant coaching and support roles within the league. The University of Utah Athletics reported that former quarterback Brian Johnson (2004-08) is currently serving as a senior offensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams.
Additionally, former Utah signal-caller Mike McCoy (1992-94) has joined the Las Vegas Raiders as an assistant head coach. These coaching roles add to the university's overall influence on NFL sidelines across the league.
Position Breakdown
The University of Utah's influence in the NFL extends across various positions, including specialized roles in kicking and offensive line play. Current rosters include Matt Gay, the kicker for the Las Vegas Raiders, and several offensive linemen such as Garett Bolles of the Denver Broncos, Spencer Fano of the Cleveland Browns, Caleb Lomu of the New England Patriots, and Tanoa Togiai of the Washington Commanders.
Defensive depth is also represented by players like Cody Barton, a linebacker for the Tennessee Titans, and Terrell Burgess, a safety for the same team. Other defensive backs include Jaylon Johnson and Clark Phillips III for the Chicago Bears, and Zemaiah Vaughn for the Minnesota Vikings.
Regional Context
The University of Utah's dominance in the NFL representation category among Utah schools has been a consistent trend. As reported by Deseret News in June 2025, the University of Utah has traditionally held the most former players in the NFL among all Utah-based institutions.
While the Utes lead, other local institutions also maintain a presence in the professional ranks. Utah State University has historically contributed players to the league, and Weber State University has also seen alumni reach the NFL. In 2025, Utah State had eight former players on active rosters, while Weber State had five, Southern Utah had three, and Utah Tech had one.
Roster Dynamics
As the NFL season progresses, the number of players with Utah ties is expected to fluctuate based on roster cuts and injuries. During the 2025 offseason, it was noted that teams were permitted to carry up to 90 players on active rosters during the offseason before being required to trim those numbers to 53 players before the start of the regular season.
The current 30 players on the University of Utah's active rosters represent a significant portion of the total players with Utah ties across the league as of late 2026.
