December1518_Bowl Game Full Game_17

USU Football Alumni’s 2022-23 NFL Seasons

Former Utah State Football players made breakout plays, joined new teams and continued their roles this season in the NFL. The following is a recap of the 2022 regular season for Aggie alumni.  

Bobby Wagner (2008-2011): 

Linebacker Bobby Wagner has been known as one of the top NFL linebackers since he left Utah State and was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft. After nine years with Seattle, Wagner entered his first season with the Los Angeles Rams following their 23-20 Super Bowl win over the Cincinnati Bengals in February 2022. In 17 games with the Rams, Wagner led the team with 140 tackles, two interceptions, five passes deflected, and 10 QB hits. These stats accompany his career-high and team-high record of six sacks, as well a blocked field goal where Wagner hurdled Tampa Bay’s offensive line to block placekicker Ryan Succop. 

Wagner signed a five-year $50 million contract with the Rams, which he negotiated himself shortly after the Seahawks cut him. He has had eight Pro Bowl appearances, six first team All-Pro selections, and two second team All-Pro selections, and he led the NFL in tackles in 2016 and 2019 with the Seahawks. In 2023, the future Hall of Famer will be entering his second season with the Rams, who went 5-12 this season. 

Deven Thompkins (2018-2021): 

Wide receiver Deven Thompkins was one of the stars of the 2021 Aggie football squad. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers following the conclusion of the 2022 NFL Draft. Thompkins performed well in training camp but was cut and assigned to the practice squad. 

Thompkins was elevated by the organization on Dec. 23 and made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers as a punt and kick return specialist. In the regular season, Thompkins had 12 kick returns for a total of 263 yards with a 54-yard long.  

In punts, Thompkins had six returns for 61 yards. 

Thompkins also got to catch passes from Tom Brady. He had 5 attempts for 32 yards and had two carries for 26 yards. Thompkins and the Bucs made the playoffs and battled the Dallas Cowboys this past weekend. 

Jordan Love (2017-2019): 

Quarterback Jordan Love continued his backup role to future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers this year. However, Love did see time during the season. His best outing came against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he totaled 113 yards and a touchdown on six completions.  

Love’s total season stats were 14 completions on 21 attempts for 195 yards and a touchdown. He also had a QBR of 82.4 and an RTG of 112.2 in his four appearances. 

According to multiple reports, there is speculation among the league that Aaron Rodgers is considering retiring or going to a new team, which could open an opportunity for the 24-year-old Love this fall.  

 Zach Kruse, the managing editor of The Packers Wire, said Love potentially was the most improved offensive player for the Packers in 2022. 

Love and the Packers failed to make the postseason for just the fourth time in Aaron Rodgers’ tenure. 

Nick Vigil (2014-2015): 

Linebacker Nick Vigil only appeared in four games for the Arizona Cardinals before suffering a hamstring injury and was listed on the injured reserve, where he ended his season. In those games, Vigil totaled 13 tackles and one pass deflection. 

Vigil was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2016 NFL Draft and in four years had 182 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. He saw time with the Chargers and Vikings before signing with the Cardinals in 2022. 

Jalen Davis (2014-2017):  

Cornerback Jalen Davis entered his third year with the Cincinnati Bengals coming off the team’s Super Bowl appearance last season. Davis typically sees his time with the Bengals’ special teams unit. This season, Davis totaled two tackles and a fumble recovery in 13 appearances. 

Davis and the Bengals made back-to-back playoffs and took on the Ravens in the Jan. 15 Wild Card Round. 

Dallin Leavitt (2016-2017): 

 Safety Dallin Leavitt is playing in his fifth NFL season and his first with the Green Bay Packers. After spending four seasons with the Raiders, Leavitt signed a one-year restricted free-agent deal with the Raiders that had him set to make $2.4 million before he was cut. Leavitt played in all 17 games, mainly on special teams, and totaled 13 tackles. 

Patrick Scales (2007-2009): 

Long snapper Patrick Scales finished his eighth season in the NFL and appeared in all 17 games as the Chicago Bears’ long snapper. Scales has appeared in 105 total games in his NFL career. 

Tyler Larsen (2009-2013): 

Center Tyler Larsen played in his seventh NFL season and second with the Washington Commanders. Larsen served as the backup center but started in seven games while the starting center, Wes Schweitzer, was injured. Larsen suffered a season-ending injury in week 13 after dislocating his kneecap and was placed on the IR. 

Tipa Galeai (2018-2019): 

Linebacker Tipa Galeai entered his third season in the NFL. He was placed on IR in week five and did not return this season. Galeai has totaled 13 career tackles and a sack in his three years with the Packers. In March, he will become a restricted free agent on an expiring deal, which means he will most likely be signed on a minimum deal. 

Practice Squad players: 

Wide receiver Derek Wright (2019-2021) was cut by the Carolina Panthers and signed as an undrafted free agent. He spent the entirety of the 2022 season on the practice squad. 

Running back Darwin Thompson (2018) spent all of the 2022 season on the Chiefs’ practice squad. Thompson spent two seasons with the Chiefs and helped them win the Super Bowl in 2020. 

 

Featured image is a Statesman file photo. 

Categories
AllFootballSports
Tagged
Aggie footballBobby WagnerDallin LeavittDarwin ThompsonDerek WrightDeven ThompkinsJalen DavisJordan LoveNick VigilPatrick ScalesTipa GaleiaTyler LarsenUSU FootballUtah State Football

Twitter

USU Classifieds

Loading Recent Classifieds...

Archives

Back to Top