Five Former Utah Football Players To Follow During 2025 NFL Season
Sep 4, 2025, 4:05 PM | Updated: Sep 5, 2025, 10:59 am
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - JANUARY 05: Jaylon Johnson #1 of the Chicago Bears warms up before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
With the first kickoff of the 2025 NFL season taking place tonight, it’s a great time to look across the league at some of the biggest names with ties to the state of Utah.
The Utah Utes football program has helped dozens of pro-hopefuls achieve their dreams of playing at the highest level. From receivers to defensive backs and everything in between, a total of 17 former Utes made 53-man rosters in 2025. That number doesn’t include 10 more Utah alums who are on practice squads and could get called up at any point this season.
I will highlight not necessarily the five best, but five interesting former Utes in the NFL to look out for as the season kicks off.
Jonah Elliss, Denver Broncos
Linebacker
In 35 career games for the Utes, Elliss recorded 78 total tackles, 47 solo tackles, 16 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries.
Ellis declared for the NFL Draft in January 2024 and was selected by the Denver Broncos with the No. 76 overall pick during the third round.
After five sacks and 20 pressures in his rookie year, Elliss is ready to come off the edge with some fire again in year two.
The Broncos’ defense is extremely dangerous both in the secondary and the front seven. Elliss could take a big jump, as many see Denver as a dark horse in the AFC.
His looks in the preseason were impressive. In the first game, he had a 44.4% pass rush win rate according to PFF. If he is winning reps that efficiently in the regular season, we’re talking about a guy who could flirt with double-digit sack numbers.
Karene Reid, Denver Broncos
Linebacker
In Reid’s collegiate career, he recorded 238 total tackles (109 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three interceptions, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and two fumble recoveries. He had three games with 10 or more tackles.
With the Utes, Reid was a two-time All-Pac-12 selection.
In 21 of the last 22 seasons, an undrafted free agent has made the Denver Broncos’ final 53-man roster. Former Utah Ute Karene Reid was that guy in 2025.
Since getting scooped up by Denver following the draft, he has done nothing but impress the coaching staff over there. Head coach Sean Payton called him “draftable” and was pleasantly surprised he was available to be signed.
In the preseason, Reid posted eight tackles, one tackle for loss, and an interception. I wanted to include a rookie on this list, and Reid was the perfect candidate.
WE’LL TAKE THAT!#DENvsSF | 📺: 9NEWS pic.twitter.com/NEivp8l1nl
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 10, 2025
Jaylon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Cornerback
During his time with the Utes, Johnson had 102 total tackles, 88 solo tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, seven interceptions, and 28 pass breakups in 39 games played. He was named First-team All-Pac 12 in 2018 and 2019.
Following his college career, Johnson was selected by the Bears with the No. 50 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Since then, Johnson has continued to improve and has now solidified himself as a top 10 cornerback in the league. In year six, not only will Johnson be a captain for the Bears again, but he’s set some lofty goals for himself.
“I want to have seven interceptions and three forced fumbles,” Johnson said on the Big Pro Football Show. “10 turnovers at least. I want to have no touchdowns given up and no gains over 50 yards. First-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl again, and I want to get in the end zone three times.”
Many expect the Bears to improve this season, and Johnson would have to be a big part of that.
Devaughn Vele, New Orleans Saints
Wide receiver
Vele played five seasons at Utah. During his time in Salt Lake City, Vele recorded 123 receptions for 1,689 yards and nine touchdowns in 47 games played.
The wideout helped the Utes win consecutive Pac-12 Conference championships in 2021 and 2022.
After an impressive first year with the Broncos, Denver traded him to New Orleans for draft pick compensation. There are a lot of question marks surrounding the Saints in 2025. But one thing seems clear: he will step in as a top target with his new team.
The Saints don’t have a lot of WR depth. They also didn’t have a big, move-the-sticks type of receiver. Vele is now the tallest receiver on the roster by three inches.
Comparing his stats to the New Orleans roster last year, he would’ve had the most receiving yards of any wideout and the third-most on the roster. I have a lot of hope for a Vele breakout in year two.
Saints WR Devaughn Vele on how his size can be an asset the QBs
“I know people see that as an asset, so we’re going to try to utilize that as much as we can.” pic.twitter.com/BhKFLLbQCx
— NOF (@nofnetwork) August 27, 2025
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills
Tight end
With the Utes, Kincaid had a total of 107 receptions for 1,414 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The offensive standout helped Utah capture back-to-back Pac-12 Conference titles in his final two seasons with the program. Utah had a 23-10 overall record with Kincaid on its roster.
The Buffalo Bills selected Kincaid with the No. 25 overall pick during the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
After an injury-riddled sophomore campaign, Kincaid appears to be set up to bounce back in a major way in year three. Back in June, Bills general manager Brandon Beane highlighted Kincaid’s quick offseason turnaround and how he looks as good as ever heading into 2025.
Last year, Kincaid had the 10th highest target rate (29 percent) in the NFL when he was on the field. Assuming good health, he could reach new heights in Buffalo.
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