Aggies in the NFL: Preseason edition

    You get playing time! You get playing time! Everybody gets playing time!

    Oprah cliches aside, the NFL preseason allows football fans to get an early shot at feeding their gridiron addiction, while hundreds of league hopefuls don pads and helmets and take their shot on the field.

     These last four weeks of exhibition play allowed for 14 of Utah State’s own to see the field, whether it be to earn a spot, secure one, or get in a few warmups.

Maurice Alexander, Linebacker

Buffalo Bills

    Alexander secured a roster spot with the Bills as the second-string strongside linebacker behind Matt Milano. He recorded a stat in all four preseason games with eight total tackles, two solo tackles and two pass defenses.

Jalen Davis, Cornerback

Arizona Cardinals

    After leading the BYU Cougars in touchdown catches in 2017 (we will never let this go), Davis recorded stats in each preseason game for the Miami Dolphins with six total tackles, three solo tackles and one pass defense. The Dolphins, however, did not hold on to the second-year cornerback, instead waiving him at the deadline. Davis has announced on Twitter that he is headed to the Arizona Cardinals and his agency’s marketing director, Dane Reese, confirmed Davis signed a contract for the Cards’ practice squad.

Marwin Evans, Safety

Free Agent

    Evans saw some action in the preseason with the Seattle Seahawks. He recorded two tackles, both of them solo tackles. The Seahawks waived Evans last week before the deadline.

Kyler Fackrell, Linebacker

Green Bay Packers

    Fackrell secured his spot once again as the second-string middle linebacker for the Packers. Having been somewhat established with the Green Bay roster, Fackrell played limited time and recorded a single tackle and a hit on the quarterback. He fills the depth chart just behind the newly-signed Preston Smith.

Tyler Larsen, Center

Carolina Panthers

    Larsen was, at one point, slated to be the starting center for quarterback Cam Newton and the Panthers following the retirement of veteran Ryan Kalil. Instead, head coach Ron Rivera kept Larsen at the backup spot on the depth chart and brought in Matt Paradis. Rivera had praise for Larsen after he started 15 games last season, saying he did “very, very well.”

Nevin Lawson, Cornerback

Oakland Raiders

    Lawson inked a deal with the Raiders over the spring and, soon after, was suspended four games after testing positive for PED’s. Leaving aside that my Raiders simply cannot have nice things, Lawson’s suspension still allowed him to play in the preseason, and he stood out with 14 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass defense. He currently holds the third-string spot at right-side cornerback, but it remains to be seen if he will move up once he is eligible to play.

Dallin Leavitt, Safety

Oakland Raiders

    Leavitt’s stats jumped off the page for Oakland thanks to a good chunk of field time. The former practice squad player recorded 12 total tackles, 10 solo tackles and two pass defenses. Leavitt earned a sport on the Raiders’ roster as the fourth-string strong-side linebacker.

Donald Penn, Offensive Tackle

Washington Redskins

    It pains me to see a different team name next to Penn’s name after he played tough for Oakland for the last few years, but the veteran left tackle left town and is listed as the backup left tackle for the Redskins. It is expected, however, that Penn will start the beginning of the season as the incumbent, Trent Williams, is listed as out on the depth chart and is reported to be in disputes with the front office.

Dax Raymond, Tight End

Chicago Bears

    One of the Aggie’s rookie representatives this year, Raymond’s fate was unkind. Raymond left the field in the fourth preseason game and is reported to have a head injury. The Bears have placed him on injured reserve, but he still managed to keep a spot on the final roster at fourth-string tight end. Raymond had three catches for 22 yards on five targets during the preseason.

Patrick Scales, Long Snapper

Chicago Bears

    Patrick Scales is securely on the Bears’ roster as the lone long snapper. Obviously, there are not really any stats to report on this, but rest assured our friend Scales will continue to rocket-launch footballs to expectant punters out of his backside for more money than most college professors make. Football is great.

Hunter Sharp, Wide Receiver

Free Agent

    Sharp had a decent preseason for a journeyman receiver. He recorded four catches for 42 yards on seven targets, but was injured during the preseason and did not make the Cincinnati Bengals final roster. He reached an injury settlement with Cincinnati before being waived.

Darwin Thompson, Running Back

Kansas City Chiefs

    Thompson, a promising late-rounder in the recent draft, made several highlights during this preseason and has Chiefs’ fans’ attention as a potential young star. Thompson recorded stats in three contests and rushed 12 times for 60 yards. He also caught three passes for 38 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown. Almost as much coverage as his touchdown catch was a nine-yard run that saw him break at least four tackles against the Bengals. Chiefs correspondents believe Thompson may be a secret weapon in head coach Andy Reid’s speed-reliant offense.

Nick Vigil, Linebacker

Cincinnati Bengals

    Vigil already established himself on the depth chart for the Bengals, but had a few showings this preseason. He recorded two total tackles, both solo, in limited time and is slotted at the starting position at strong-side linebacker.

Bobby Wagner, Linebacker

Seattle Seahawks

    As if the future Hall of Famer really needs the practice, Wagner has a secure hold on the starting middle linebacker position on the Seattle defense. He showed up a few times in the preseason and recorded two total tackles, both of them solo.

Kerwynn Williams, Running Back

Free Agent

    Williams had a decent preseason with the New Orleans Saints. He rushed eight times for 25 yards and caught three passes for eight yards. It was not enough for the Saints, however, and he was waived at the deadline.

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