There are 29 players with Utah ties on opening-day NFL rosters - an average of just about one former Beehive State collegian per NFL team.
Five quarterbacks head the list, most notably a pair of lefties - Steve Young (BYU) of the 49ers and Detroit's Scott Mitchell (Utah).Here's a list of the NFL players with Utah ties by position:
QUARTERBACKS
Ty Detmer, Philadelphia Eagles - BYU's 1990 Heisman Trophy winner, now in his fifth year, is still looking for his first regular-season start. He goes from being Brett Favre's backup in Green Bay to being Rodney Peete's understudy in Philly.
Jamie Martin, St. Louis Rams - Weber State record-breaker starts year as the Rams' third string QB.
Jim McMahon, Green Bay Packers - Now in his 15th season in the league, this punky former Cougar QB will be Green Bays' insurance policy for Favre.
Mitchell, Detroit Lions - Ex-Ute was second in the league with 4,338 yards passing last year, his seventh in the NFL. He tossed 32 TD passes with just 12 interceptions for the Lions' explosive offense.
Young, San Francisco 49ers - A past league and Super Bowl MVP, Young is expected to help keep the 49ers as one of the NFL's elite teams. The former Cougar completed 66.9 percent of his passes in '95.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
Anthony Brown, Cincinnati Bengals - A second-year player out of Utah, Brown will be a backup at both guard and tackle.
Scott Brumfield, Cincinnati Bengals - Ex-Cougar is in his fourth year in the NFL. He will start at left guard again this season.
Jed DeVries, Baltimore Ravens - Utah State alum will be a backup tackle in his third NFL season.
Tim Hanshaw, San Francisco 49ers - A fourth-round pick out of BYU in '95, Hanshaw will see playing time as a tackle.
Trevor Matich, Washington Redskins - Now in his 12th season in the NFL, the ex-Coug will be the Redskins' long snapper. He is also a backup center.
Evan Pilgrim, Chicago Bears - Another BYU draft pick (third round) in '95, Pilgrim starts his second pro season as a backup guard.
Lance Scott, Arizona Cardinals - Former Ute out of Taylorsville High is a backup at both center and guard.
Morris Unutoa, Philadelphia Eagles - Last year he was snapping the ball to Steve Sarkisian as BYU's center. This year Unutoa will be the Eagles' starting long snapper and a backup center.
TIGHT ENDS
Henry Lusk, New Orleans Saints - Rookie from Utah led the Saints in catches and yards receiving this preseason, but is listed as the third-string tight end entering the regular season.
Alfred Pupunu, San Diego Chargers - Former Weber State Wildcat is in his fifth year with the Chargers. He caught 35 passes last season for 315 yards.
RUNNING BACKS
Jamal Anderson, Atlanta Falcons - Third-year player out of Utah backs up Craig Heyward in Falcons' one-back offense. He rushed for 161 yards on 39 carries last season.
Jamal Willis, San Francisco 49ers - BYU's all-time leading rusher is a backup running back for the Niners and a special teams player, primarily as a kickoff returner.
WIDE RECEIVER
Curtis Marsh, Jacksonville Jaguars - Ex-Ute in his second year is a backup receiver for the second-year franchise.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
Luther Ellis, Detroit Lions - First-round draft pick out of Utah in '95 begins his second season in the NFL. He has been moved to the inside from the defensive end position he played last season.
Travis Hall, Atlanta Falcons - He is listed as a starter at left tackle after being a backup last season, his first in the league.
Greg Kragen, Carolina Panthers - Veteran out of Utah State will start at nose guard for the Panthers.
Mike Ulufale, Dallas Cowboys - Rookie out of BYU was a third round draft choice of the Super Bowl champs. He's listed as a third-string tackle.
LINEBACKERS
Anthony Davis, Kansas City Chiefs - He was a starter last season, his fourth in the league, and came into his own with 59 tackles and two sacks. Will start on the right side again.
Kurt Gouveia, San Diego Chargers - Ex-BYU veteran is beginning his 11th season. He will start at middle linebacker for the Chargers after starting for the Eagles last year.
Al Smith, Houston Oilers - Smith, a veteran of nine NFL seasons, missed most of last year with injuries. Ex-Aggie is expected to start at middle linebacker this season.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Israel Byrd, New Orleans Saints - Ex-Aggie will start the season on injured reserve. Was a backup cornerback and a special teams player last season, his third in the league.
Derwin Gray, Indianapolis Colts - Former Cougar will be a backup safety like he was last season. He will also play on special teams.
PUNTERS
Louis Aguiar, Kansas City Chiefs - Sixth-year punter out of Utah State averaged 43.8 yards per boot last season.
Lee Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals - Johnson, now in his 12th season out of BYU, averaged 42.1 yards per punt in '95.