Locals in the NFL: BYU's Taysom Hill opens NFL career with preseason TD, Lambeau Leap

AROUND THE SHIELD — Sure, it’s only the preseason.

But a lot of former local college football standouts saw their first taste of NFL action this weekend upon the opening of the 2017 preseason.

Here are some of the highlights.

Packers 24, Eagles 9

The Green Bay Packers have taken a significant chunk out of local college football programs in the last few years, and the connections were on display in their preseason win over Philadelphia.

A good place to start is former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill, who capped his first NFL game with a touchdown. After Hill, who completed 4-of-5 passes for 69 yards, found former college basketball player Michael Clark for a 7-yard TD toss in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, the BYU ironman made the famous Lambeau Leap.

Hill is competing for a spot on the Packers’ quarterback roster with former UCLA standout Brett Hundley, who went 8-of-15 for 90 yards a touchdown and an interception, and Joe Callahan, who completed 10-of-16 passes for 103 yards.

Hill also ran for 14 yards on two carries, the same yardage as BYU all-time leading rusher Jamaal Williams, who rushed a team-high four times.

On defense, former Utah State defensive back Marwin Evans had five tackles and an interception for the Packers, and former Southern Utah running back Raysean Pringle (now a cornerback) made his first NFL tackle.

Browns 20, Saints 14

Former BYU safety Kai Nacua had four tackles, and Utah’s Nate Orchard made two assisted stops and a half-sack in Cleveland’s win over New Orleans.

Broncos 24, Bears 17

Utah offensive lineman and Westlake High product Garrett Bolles started the first NFL game of his career at right tackle for Denver in a preseason win over Chicago.

Jaguars 31, Patriots 24

Former BYU and Bingham High linebacker Harvey Langi started in his NFL debut in New England’s preseason loss to Jacksonville.

Langi made a solo stop and two assisted tackles for the Patriots, who signed the ex-Utah running back as an undrafted free agent in April.

Ravens 23, Redskins 3

After a year on injured reserve, former BYU standout Bronson Kaufusi had two tackles and his first career sack in Baltimore’s win over Washington.

Former Utah State linebacker Zach Vigil had five tackles — one off the game-high — to lead the Redskins.

49ers 27, Chiefs 17

Former Utah running back Joe Williams ran for 60 yards on seven carries in his first NFL action to help San Francisco to a 10-point win over Kansas City.

Former Utah quarterback Alex Smith completed 4-of-6 passes for 48 yards, and added a 10-yard rush for the Chiefs.

KC draft pick Patrick Mahomes threw his first NFL touchdown, a 1-yard strike to Layton High product Marcus Kemp in the third quarter.

Former BYU defensive back Daniel Sorensen made one tackle in limited action for Kansas City.

Cardinals 20, Raiders 10

Former Utah State running back Kerwynn Williams ran for seven yards on two carries in Arizona’s preseason victory over the Raiders.

Lions 24, Colts 10

Former Hunter High and Utah running back Matt Asiata ran for six yards on five attempts in Detroit’s win over Indianapolis.

Former Southern Utah star Miles Killebrew made two tackles for the Lions.

Utah State alum Robert Turbin had six yards on five carries for the Colts, while another former Aggie, JoJo Natson, led Indianapolis with five catches for 51 yards and was the team's leading kick returner (three for 68 yards) and punt returner (four for 26 yards).

Seahawks 48, Chargers 17

Aggie alum Bobby Wagner had a team-high five tackles to help Seattle to a rout of Los Angeles.

Michael Davis, the BYU grad who prepped in nearby Glendale, made five tackles, including four solo stops, for the Chargers.

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