Locals Looking For New Opportunities In The NFL
Aug 31, 2019, 9:29 PM
LeSean McCoy #25 of the Buffalo Bills scores a touchdown in the third quarter during NFL game action as he takes the ball into the end zone after taking a hit from Jalen Davis #36 of the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on December 30, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – There are more than 20 players with ties to the state of Utah looking for new opportunities in the NFL after getting cuts from rosters during the final week of August.
There are 26 football players that either played high school or college football in Utah that are waiting to clear waivers and seek out new opportunities in the NFL.
The NFL’s final cut date before the start of the 2019 regular season was August 31.
The cuts were required to take place before the 4 p.m. (EDT) deadline. The maximum number of individuals on a team roster is 53 players.
According to the NFL simultaneous “with the cut-down to 53, clubs that have players in the categories of Active/Physically Unable to Perform or Active/Non-Football Injury or Illness must select one of the following options: place player on Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform or Reserve/NonFootball Injury or Illness, whichever is applicable; request waivers; terminate contract; trade contract; or continue to count the player on the Active List.”
The following players are now seeking new clubs in the league. Once a player is cut they are on NFL waivers for 24 hours and are eligible to be picked up by other squads in a designated order. Following that time period, they become free agents.
Former Cougars
DL Corbin Kaufusi – New Orleans Saints
The former BYU defensive lineman was an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft.
Former #BYUFootball pass rusher Corbin Kaufusi has been waived by the #Saints as they trim the roster to 53.#NFL #BYUintheNFL #KSLSports https://t.co/2AFI05ESHp
— Sam Farnsworth (@SFarnsworthKSL) August 30, 2019
OL De’Ondre Wesley – Buffalo Bills
Wesley was waived following an injury settlement with the Bills. He’s also spent time with the Baltimore Ravens and Indianapolis Colts.
DB – Kai Nacua – Indianapolis Colts
The former Cougar ballhawk was recently added to the Colts roster after being waived by the Carolina Panthers.
Former Utes
DL Hunter Dimick – Kansas City Chiefs
The former Utah lineman was recently added to the Chiefs roster. He’s also spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.
DB Jason Thompson – Philadelphia Eagles
Thompson was waived after being with the Eagles for less than a week. He’s spent time with six other NFL times.
Former #Utes that have been cut from NFL rosters to this point:
OL Salesi Uhatafe – Tampa Bay
DB Corrion Ballard – Carolina
LB Jared Norris – Carolina
S Jason Thompson – PhiladelphiaTough day for NFL players.
— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) August 31, 2019
LB Kylie Fitts – Chicago Bears
The former Utah linebacker was a sixth-round draft selection by the Bears in 2018.
Never defined myself as just a football player. Always been a child of God. Excited for what he has next for me
— Kylie Fitts (@K_Fitts11) August 31, 2019
LB Jared Norris – Carolina Panthers
Norris’ cut comes after being a member of the Panthers since 2016.
DB Corrion Ballard – Carolina Panthers
Ballard was signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft.
DL Stevie Tu’ikolovatu – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tu’ikolovatu has been a member of the Bucs since 2017. He was a former seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft.
OL Salesi Uhatafe – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Uhatafe joined the Bucs after time with the Redskins following a stint with the Salt Lake Stallions. He’s also been a member of the Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
DL Pasoni Tasini – Arizona Cardinals
Tasini has been a member of the Cardinals since 2017 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent.
LB Pita Taumoepenu – Arizona Cardinals
Taumoepenu was a former sixth-round pick in the NFL Draft. He was a member of the San Francisco 49ers from 2017-18.
— Pita Taumoepenu jr (@PitaTaumoepenu) August 20, 2019
DB Dominique Hatfield – Los Angeles Rams
Hatfield has been a member of the Rams since 2017 when he was signed as an undrafted free agent. He was waived with an injury designation.
Path to the Rams: Dominique Hatfield@_HattyF’s journey from Crenshaw High School to the Rams. pic.twitter.com/XE6Gw7ih3o
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) August 30, 2017
OL Jackson Barton – Indianapolis Colts
Barton’s stint was a short one provided he doesn’t make the practice squad. He was a seventh-round selection by the Colts in April’s NFL Draft.
The #OBLOCK's Jackson Barton is a Colt! #UtesInTheNFL @Colts pic.twitter.com/4CxWioBfBB
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) April 27, 2019
Former Aggies
DB Jalen Davis – Miami Dolphins
Davis’ cut comes after spending the 2018 season in Miami.
😁😁#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/talgTHEZbt
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 9, 2019
WR Hunter Sharp – Cinncinati Bengals
Sharp has bounced around the league since 2016. The Bengals were his fifth NFL squad. Sharp was waived with an injury settlement.
RB Devante Mays – Jacksonville Jaguars
The former 2017 seventh-round selection has spent time with the Green Bay Packers and Cleveland Browns in addition to the Jags.
RB Kerwynn Williams – New Orleans Saints
Williams was a seventh-round selection by the Indianapolis Colts in 2013. The Saints were his seventh NFL team.
WR Jalen Greene – Los Angeles Rams
The former Aggies WR and USC graduate transfer signed with the Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2019.
Loooooong time ago I stopped focusin on what im not and honed in on what I can be
— Jalen Greene (@classicJG) August 29, 2019
Former Wildcats
OL – Sua Opeta – Philadelphia Eagles
The former Weber State star signed with the Eagles in 2019 as an undrafted free agent.
Former Thunderbirds
LB James Cowser – Oakland Raiders
The former FCS standout was waived after being with the Raiders since 2016.
Wait a minute…the @Raiders aren't done yet!
James Cowser (@cowstown) with the PICK! #OAKvsLAR
📺: @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/FkmWwiSwXt
— NFL (@NFL) August 18, 2018
OL Marquez Tucker – Chicago Bears
Tucker signed with the Bears in 2019 as an undrafted free agent.
All I ever needed was an opportunity.. pic.twitter.com/lMsOmY7XPy
— Marquez Tucker (@Quezy__) June 17, 2019
DB Josh Thornton – Carolina Panthers
Thornton was an undrafted free agent after the 2017 NFL Draft. He’s spent time with the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, and Houston Texans.
P – Brock Miller – Los Angeles Rams
Miller was signed by the Rams before the team’s first preseason game in 2019.
I will FOREVER cherish my time as a Los Angeles Ram. Thank you for everything @RamsNFL #GloryToGod pic.twitter.com/Z8BqjNP7gZ
— Brock Miller (@Br0ckMiller) August 31, 2019
Former High School Stars
QB Luke Falk – New York Jets (Logan)
The former Logan and Washington State star quarterback was a sixth-round pick in 2018. He’s spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Miami Dolphins in addition to the Jets.
DL Durrant Miles – Atlanta Falcons (Bingham)
The former Bingham standout played in five preseason games with the Falcons. He was an undrafted free agent in 2019 out of Boise State.
♫ "I always feel like… somebody's watching meeeeee." ♫
DE @Durrant_Miles had our mic against Washington. pic.twitter.com/ZF6bqIaqly
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 23, 2019
LB Porter Gustin – New Orleans Saints (Salem Hills)
The former Salem Hills and USC linebacker signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL Draft.
