Utah or BYU: Who has more players on NFL active rosters after cutdown day?

Brandon Judd

Thu, Aug 31, 2023, 10:55 AM·8 min read

Cleveland Browns linebacker Mohamoud Diabate reacts during NFL preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Aug. 17, 2023, in Philadelphia. The former Ute linebacker went undrafted but earned a roster spot afte a strong preseason. | Chris Szagola, Associated Press

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect transactions involving Utah ties after Tuesday’s NFL cutdown deadline.

Thanks in part to a pair of undrafted rookies who beat the odds, there are 52 Utah ties currently on NFL active rosters.

After going undrafted, former Utah linebacker Mohamoud Diabate used a solid preseason to make the Cleveland Browns’ active roster.

So, too, did former BYU running back Chris Brooks with the Miami Dolphins.

Meanwhile, 21 other Utah ties weren’t as fortunate — 19 of them were either waived or released by their respective teams Tuesday, while two others were placed on reserve lists.

Zayne Anderson, the former BYU and Stansbury High standout, was among those cut Tuesday, but he quickly joined another roster when he was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on Wednesday.

Two former Utah State stars were also involved in post-cutdown moves: wide receiver Derek Wright was released from the active roster by the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday, while center Tyler Larsen re-signed to the Washington Commanders active roster on Thursday.

Making the initial active roster for those who survived the cut doesn’t guarantee a spot on the 53-man roster come Week 1 — over the next several days, teams will sign players to their practice squad and add others to their active roster from a pool of free agents who were waived during the cutdown process, like Anderson.

Still, for the 52 Utah ties who currently have a spot on an active roster in the NFL, that’s one step closer to contributing on the field this season.

NFL transactions tracker: The latest on what’s happening with Utah ties on cutdown day

For less than 24 hours, the University of Utah held the edge with 15 players on active rosters following Tuesday’s cutdowns. With Anderson’s addition Wednesday, though, BYU is tied with the Utes at 15 players each.

The Cougars have closed the gap in recent years — last season, BYU had 11 players on initial 53-man rosters, compared to 16 for Utah. The year before that, it was a 21-13 edge for the Utes.

Utah State currently has eight players on active rosters, followed by Weber State at four and Southern Utah at two. Among Utah ties, 26 attended a Utah high school.

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

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

Miami Dolphins running back Chris Brooks carries the ball during NFL preseason game against the Jaguars, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. Brooks went undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft but beat the odds and earned a spot on the Dolphins’ 53-man roster. | Gary McCullough, Associated Press

There are several intriguing Utah-based storylines to watch coming out of the final cuts:

Nine rookies with Utah ties made it onto an initial 53-man roster, including the aforementioned two undrafted rookies. Guys like former Utah tight end Dalton Kincaid (with the Buffalo Bills) and former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua (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 BYU’s 15 active roster players are on the offensive side of the ball. The most interesting storyline to watch among those offensive players is likely former BYU teammates Jamaal Williams and Taysom Hill reuniting, after Williams joined Hill in New Orleans.
Utah is a little more spread out among its players on active rosters — four are on offense, nine on defense and two on special teams. There are a couple of Utes, though, who landed on practice squads that could be active roster elevations or additions during the 2023 season — return specialist Britain Covey with the Philadelphia Eagles and safety Eric Rowe with the Panthers.
There are two notable Utah State alums who will be in the spotlight throughout the year. Jordan Love is finally taking over for 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. Veteran linebacker and All-Pro Bobby Wagner, meanwhile, has returned to the Seattle Seahawks after a one-year hiatus.
Three brothers from Utah made initial 53-man rosters — Detroit Lions offensive tackle Penei Sewell is headed into his third pro season, while linebacker Nephi Sewell spent last season on the New Orleans Saints practice squad, but a strong offseason helped him land on the team’s active roster to start this year. The youngest brother, linebacker Noah Sewell, was drafted this season by the Chicago Bears.