From walk-on to the NFL, Tyler Allgeier ready for next step (+ locals on NFL rosters and cuts)

Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) smiles as he scores a touchdown as the BYU Cougars and the Idaho State Bengals play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (Scott G Winterton, Deseret News)

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AROUND THE SHIELD — Many people in and around college football expected Tyler Allgeier to get drafted higher than he did. While the fifth round is certainly nothing to sneeze at, Allgeier knew that he’d have to be at his best to not only make the Atlanta Falcons’ roster but also become a contributor quickly.

Step one is complete: He’s on the 53-man roster that was released Tuesday shortly before the deadline for teams to cut players.

Now it’s on to step two: become a contributor and eventual starter in the NFL.

Allgeier is a big, bruising back, and he showcased that during Atlanta’s preseason games. In the final battle of the preseason, Allgeier scored two touchdowns on nine touches (eight carries, one reception). Throughout his first few NFL games, he demonstrated his ability to bully defenders and earn extra yards after first contact.

As he gears up for the NFL regular season, Allgeier is one of many locals who made an official roster. But with that, there are lots of players with Utah ties who got cut and will look for other ways to make their NFL dreams come true.

Here are the former high school and college players from Utah who were waived or released during the 2022 preseason, including Tuesday:

Kai Nacua, S/LB, BYU (waived by Jets)
Bradley Anae, DE, Utah (waived by Jets)
Javelin Guidry, CB, Utah (waived by Jets)
James Empey, OL, BYU (waived by Cowboys)
Mika Tafua, DL, Utah (waived by Cowboys)
Bamidele Olaseni, OL, Utah (waived by Raiders)
Samson Nacua, WR, BYU (waived by Colts)
Chris Wilcox, CB, BYU (waived by Colts)
Derek Wright, WR, Utah State (waived by Panthers)
Darwin Thompson, RB, Utah State (waived by Seahawks)
Deven Thompkins, WR, Utah State (waived by Buccaneers)
Ty’Son Williams, RB, BYU (waived by Colts)
Neil Pau’u, WR, BYU (waived by Bills)
Zayne Anderson, S, BYU (waived by Chiefs)
Matt Bushman, TE, BYU (waived by Chiefs)
Harvey Langi, LB, BYU (waived by Patriots)
Marquise Blair, S, Utah (waived by Seahawks)
Noah Togiai, TE, Hunter HS (waived by Eagles)
Porter Gustin, DE, Salem Hills HS (waived by Dolphins)
Marcus Kemp, WR, Layton HS (waived by Giants)
Brian Allen, CB, Utah (waived by Saints)
Tomasi Laulile, DL, BYU (waived by 49ers)
TJ Pledger, RB, Utah (waived by Cardinals)
Troy Warner, CB, BYU (waived by Buccaneers)
Hauati Pututau, DL, Utah (waived by Packers)
Darrin Paulo, OL, Utah (waived by Lions)
Britain Covey, WR, Utah (waived by Eagles)
Chase Hansen, LB, Utah (waived by Saints)
Nephi Sewell, LB, Utah (waived by Saints)
Rashid Shaheed, WR, Weber State (waived by Saints)
Jay Tufele, DL, Bingham HS (waived by Jaguars)
Nick Ford, OL, Utah (waived by Jaguars)
Cole Fotheringham, TE, Utah (waived by Raiders)

Following the 53-man roster deadline at 2 pm MDT, teams have the opportunity to negotiate with players who clear waivers and begin adding them to their practice squads on Wednesday. It is expected that many of these players with Utah ties will make practice squads and have a shot at continuing their NFL careers.

While many players with Utah ties won’t make the initial rosters, there are plenty of locals who will. Here’s a list of those players who survived Tuesday’s cuts and will start the season on the official 53-man rosters.

BYU

Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU (Falcons)
Brady Christiensen, OT, BYU (Panthers)
Khyiris Tonga, DL, BYU (Bears)
Sione Takitaki, LB, BYU (Browns)
Jamaal Williams, RB, BYU (Lions)
Michael Davis, CB, BYU (Chargers)
Kyle Van Noy, LB, BYU (Chargers)
Taysom Hill, TE, BYU (Saints)
Daniel Sorensen, S, BYU (Saints)
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (Jets)
Fred Warner, LB, BYU (49ers)
Dax Milne, WR, BYU (Commanders)

Utah

Leki Fotu, DL (Cardinals)
Tyler Huntley, QB (Ravens)
Marcus Williams, S (Ravens)
Zack Moss, RB (Bills)
Jaylon Johnson, CB (Bears)
Garrett Bolles, OT (Broncos)
Tim Patrick*, WR (Broncos)
Julian Blackmon, S (Colts)
Devin Lloyd, LB (Jaguars)
Terrell Burgess, S (Rams)
Matt Gay, K (Rams)
Jackson Barton, OT (Raiders)
Eric Rowe, S (Dolphins)
Cody Barton, LB (Seahawks)
Mitch Wishnowsky, P (49ers)

*placed on injured reserve list

Utah State

Nick Vigil, LB (Cardinals)
Patrick Scales, LS (Bears)
Jalen Davis, CB (Bengals)
Jordan Love, QB (Packers)
Bobby Wagner, LB (Rams)
Kyler Fackrell*, LB (Raiders)
Tyler Larsen*, OL (Commanders)

*placed on the injured reserve list

Weber State

Taron Johnson, CB (Bills)
Sua Opeta, OL (Eagles)
Jonah Williams, DL (Rams)

Southern Utah

Braxton Jones, OT (Bears)
Miles Killebrew, S (Steelers)

High School

Kaden Ellis, LB (Saints)
Simi Fehoko, WR (Cowboys)
Alohi Gilman, S (Chargers)
Andre James, OL (Raiders)
Bryan Mone, DL (Seahawks)
Dalton Schultz, TE (Cowboys)
Penny Sewell, OL (Lions)
Jaylen Warren, RB (Steelers)