Who has more players on active NFL rosters right now, Utah or BYU?

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect transactions regarding Utah’s relations after Tuesday’s NFL cutback deadline.

Thanks in part to a pair of undrafted rookies who beat the odds, there are 52 Utah leaguers currently on active NFL rosters — 51 of whom made the 53-man preliminary rosters after Tuesday’s cut-off deadline, and another claimed off waivers after piece.

After going undrafted, former Utah linebacker Mahmoud Diabate used a solid pre-season to make the Cleveland Browns’ active roster.

So did former BYU standout Chris Brooks with the Miami Dolphins.

Meanwhile, 21 other Utah players have not been so lucky — 19 of them were either waived or released by their teams on Tuesday, while two more were placed on the reserve lists.

Former BYU and Stansbury High standout player Zane Anderson was among those cut on Tuesday, but he quickly joined another roster when the Green Bay Packers claimed a waiver on him on Wednesday.

Creating the initial active roster for those who survive the deduction does not guarantee a spot on the 53-man roster in Week 1 – over the next few days, teams will sign players to their practice squad and add others to their active roster from a pool of free agents who have been Waive them during the reduction process, like Anderson.

However, for the 52 Utah leagues that currently have a spot on the NFL’s active roster, it’s a step closer to contributing on the field this season.

For less than 24 hours, the University of Utah held the lead with 15 players on active rosters after cuts on Tuesday. And with the addition of Anderson on Wednesday, BYU tied the Utes at 15 players apiece.

The Cougars have closed the gap in recent years — last season, BYU had 11 players on its 53-man draft roster, compared to Utah’s 16. The year before that, the score was 21-13 in favor of the Utes.

Utah State currently has eight players on active rosters, followed by Weber State with four and South Utah with two. Of the relationships in Utah, 26 attended Utah High School.

There are also six Utah ties on the reserve lists, including four Utes.

The number of Utah ties currently on the active roster is up from 48 last season and just under 53 two years ago. It also maintains an upward trend, having had 49 in 2020, 45 in 2019 and 38 in 2018.

Gary McCullough, The Associated Press

There are several interesting storylines set in Utah that you can watch after the final cuts:

• Nine rookies with ties to Utah made the 53-man preliminary roster, including two of the aforementioned undrafted rookies. Guys like former Utah State Dalton Kincaid (with the Buffalo Bills) and former BYU wide receiver Boca Nakoa (with the Los Angeles Rams) are expected to make an impact early in their careers.
• With veterans like Kyle Van Noy and Daniel Sorensen currently free agents, 10 of the 15 active players on BYU’s roster are on the offensive side of the ball. The most interesting story to watch among these offensive players is probably the return of former BYU teammates Jamal Williams and Tesum Hill, after Williams joined Hill in New Orleans.
• Utah are a bit more spread out among their active rosters – four on offense, nine on defense and two on special teams. There are a number of notable new free agents from the ranks of the Utes. What will happen with Britain Kofi and Eric Rowe this season? The Philadelphia Eagles released Coffey—only for him to join the team’s practice squad—while the Carolina Panthers left Row.
• There are two notable Utah alumni who will be in the spotlight all year long. Jordan Love has finally taken over from Aaron Rodgers as Green Bay’s starting quarterback, giving him his first chance to prove what he can do in his fourth year in the league. Meanwhile, veteran linebacker and All-Pro Bobby Wagner has returned to the Seattle Seahawks after a one-year hiatus.
• Three Utah brothers made their starting 53 rosters – offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions, Benny Sewell heading into his third professional season, while linebacker Neve Sewell spent last season on the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad, but a solid offseason helped him land the team. Active list to start this year. Younger brother, linebacker Noah Sewell, was drafted this season by the Chicago Bears.

Utah is tied for the NFL’s preliminary 53-man rosters in 2022

Here is a breakdown of the 52 Utah ties on active NFL rosters at the moment:

Godofredo A. Vasquez, Associated Press

Peu

name | position | Team | tie(s) utah

• Tyler Alger | t b | Atlanta Falcons | Peu.
• Zane Anderson Q | Green Bay Packers | BYU and Stansbury University High School.
• Chris Brooks | t b | Miami Dolphins | Peu.
• Brady Christensen | apogee | Carolina Panthers | BYU and bountiful high.
• Michael Davis | cb | Los Angeles Chargers | Peu.
• Blake Vreeland | or t | Indianapolis Colts | BYU and Hermann High School.
• Jaren Hall | QB | Minnesota Vikings | BYU and Maple Mountain High.
• Tesum Hill | t | New Orleans Saints | Peu.
• Dax Milne | wr | Washington Leaders | BYU and Bingham HI.
• Puka Nakoa | wr | Los Angeles Rams | BYU and Orem High School.
• Seone Taketake | lb | Cleveland Browns | B.U.
• Jerez Tonga | dt| Minnesota Vikings | BYU and Granger High School.
• Fred Warner | lb | San Francisco 49ers | B.U.
• Jamal Williams | t b | New Orleans Saints | Peu.
• Zach Wilson | QB | New York Jets | BYU and Corner Canyon High.

*Anderson was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers, one day after being waived by the Buffalo Bills.

Julio Cortez, Associated Press

University of Utah

Name | position | Team | tie(s) utah

• Cody Barton | lb | Washington leaders | Utah and Brighton High School.
• Julian Blackmun | Q | Indianapolis Colts | Utah and Layton High.
• Garrett Pauls | ot| denver broncos | Utah, Snow College and Westlake High School.
• Mahmoud Diabaty | lb | Cleveland Browns | Utah.
• Like Photo | DT | Arizona Cardinals | Utah and Hermann High School.
• Matt Jay | k| Indianapolis Colts | Utah and Orem High School.
• Tyler Huntley | QB | Baltimore Ravens | Utah.
• Jaylon Johnson | cb | Chicago Bears | Utah.
• Dalton Kincaid | t | Buffalo Bills | Utah.
• Devin Lloyd | lb | Jacksonville Jaguars | Utah.
• Zac Moss | t b | Indianapolis Colts | Utah.
• Clark Phillips III | cb | Atlanta Falcons | Utah.
• Navy Sewell | lb | New Orleans Saints | Utah and Desert Hills High.
• Marcus Williams | Q | Baltimore Ravens | Utah.
• Mitch Wishnowski | F | San Francisco 49ers | Utah.

Stephen Brashear, Associated Press

Utah

name | position | Team | tie(s) utah

• Galen Davis | cb | Cincinnati Bengals | Utah.
• Dalen Levitt | Q | Green Bay Packers | Utah State and BYU.
• Jordan Love | QB | Green Bay Packers | Utah.
• Patrick Scales | for x | Chicago Bears | Utah and Weber High School.
• Devin Tompkins | wr | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Utah.
• Bobby Wagner | lb | Seattle Seahawks | Utah.
• Jaylen Warren | t b | Pittsburgh Steelers | Utah State College of Snow and Higher East.
• Derek Wright | wr | Carolina Panthers | Utah State and Snow College and Mantee High School.

Kamil Krzyczynski, Associated Press

Southern Utah

name | position | Team | Tie(s) Utah

• Braxton Jones | or t | Chicago Bears | Southern Utah and Murray High.
• Miles Killebrew | Q | Pittsburgh Steelers | Southern Utah.

Charles Ricks Arbogast, The Associated Press

Weber state

name | position | Team | Tie(s) Utah

• Taron Johnson | cb | Buffalo Bills | Weber state.
• Sawa Obita | apogee | Philadelphia Eagles | Weber State and Stansbury High School.
• Rashid Shaheed | WR/RS | New Orleans Saints | Weber state.
• Jonah Williams | de | Los Angeles Rams | Weber State.

Tyler Kaufman, Associated Press

Other Utah High School players

name | position | Team | tie(s) utah

• Caden Ellis | lb | Atlanta Falcons | High Memorial Judge.
• Wahi Gilman | Q | Los Angeles Chargers | Urim high.
• Siaki Ika | dt| Cleveland Browns | East high.
• Andre James | c | Las Vegas Raiders | Herriman High.
• Dalton Schultz | t | Houston Texas | Bingham High School.
• Noah Sewell | lb | chicago bears | Urim high.
• Penny Sewell | ot| Detroit Lions | Desert Heights.
• Jay Toffelli | dt| Cincinnati Bengals | Bingham High School.