Latter-day Saints have enjoyed a multi-generational presence in the National Football League — from Merlin Olsen and Steve Young to Haloti Ngata and Eric Weddle.

In 2022,  Latter-day Saints in the NFL range from All-Pros to rising rookies. Here’s a summary how Latter-day Saints are performing on the gridiron as the season nears a close.

 

• Denver Broncos tackle Garett Bolles (Utah/Snow College) fractured his lower right leg  just five games into the 2022 season. The former All-Pro is rehabbing for a return to the line-up next season. 

• Second-year pro Brady Christensen (BYU) is entrenched in the Carolina starting lineup, typically playing left tackle for the Panthers.

• Christensen’s teammate and fellow Latter-day Saint, veteran lineman Austin Corbett (Nevada), starts at right guard for the Panthers after winning a Super Bowl ring last year with the Los Angeles Rams.

• NFL rookie/returned missionary Britain Covey (Utah) has climbed the Philadelphia Eagles ladder from undrafted free agent, to practice squad player to the team’s starting kick and punt returner. 

• Louisiana State product Breiden Fehoko has been a key contributor on the Los Angeles Chargers defensive line in 2022, his third season in the league. Fehoko is teammates with fellow members Alohi Gilman and Kyle Van Noy.

• Leki Fotu (Utah), starts at nose tackle in his third year for the Arizona Cardinals. In his first two seasons, he appeared in 28 games and made three starts.

• Former college soccer star and returned missionary Matt Gay (Utah) has established himself as one of the premier kickers in the NFL, securing a spot in the Pro Bowl in 2021 for the Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams.

• Hawaii native Alohi Gilman (Notre Dame/Navy) has become a mainstay in the defensive backfield  for the Los Angeles Chargers during his third season in the league.

• Now in his third NFL season, returned missionary Chase Hansen (Utah) is a backup linebacker for the New Orleans Saints and a teammate of fellow Latter-day Saints/RMs Taysom Hill and Daniel Sorensen.

• The aforementioned Taysom Hill’s gridiron versatility has made the BYU legend a household name in New Orleans and beyond. In 2022, the returned missionary has passed, ran and caught multiple touchdowns, while also contributing on special teams.

• Veteran offensive lineman Tyler Larsen (Utah State) was starting at center for the Washington Commanders in 2022 before dislocating his kneecap and being placed on the injured/reserve list.

• Backup safety Dallin Leavitt is playing in his fourth NFL season, plying his trade on the “frozen tundra” of Lambeau Field, storied home of the Green Bay Packers.

• Second-year wide receiver Dax Milne (BYU) has snagged a touchdown in 2022 and is the Washington Commander’s primary punt returner. The Utah native battled a foot injury but has returned to play.

• Considered one of the NFL’s most promising young linemen, Detroit Lions tackle Penei Sewell has started every game he has played in the past two years.

• One of the NFL’s defensive senior statesmen, returned missionary/safety Daniel Sorensen (BYU) is concluding his first season with the New Orleans Saints after playing seven successful seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

• Former BYU linebacker Sione Takitaki’s fourth year with the Cleveland Browns ended prematurely when he suffered a season-ending torn ACL in early December. Prior to the injury, he was enjoying a career-best year for the Browns.

• Former BYU defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga has been a key contributor during the second half of the NFL season for the division-leading  Minnesota Vikings. Tonga served a mission in Kansas.

• An anchor on the Los Angeles Chargers defense, former BYU All-American Kyle Van Noy is a 9-year NFL vet. He owns two Super Bowl rings from his stint with the New England Patriots.

• Latter-day Saint Fred Warner (BYU) continues to stake his claim as the NFL’s best linebacker. The San Francisco 49er is expected to easily surpass 100 tackles during the 2022 season.

• It would be a comical understatement to call Zach Wilson’s 2022 season with the New York Jets “eventful.” The former BYU QB’s every pass and post-game comment has been scrutinized, debated — and scrutinized again. After being relegated to reserve status for three games, Wilson returned to the Jets’ starting lineup for a few quarters before being pulled.

• Derek Wright (Utah State/Snow College) has spent his rookie season on the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

 

Missing anyone on our list of Latter-day Saints in the NFL? Please let us know.