The NFL's preseason is gearing up to give fans a taste of what's coming this fall, and as the Detroit Lions and LA Chargers prepare to go head-to-head in the annual Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, there's a particular spotlight on a pair of Utah alumni. Thursday's game, set to air at 6 p.m. MT on NBC, will feature wide receiver Tim Patrick and running back Sione Vaki donning Lions jerseys, as reported by UtahUtes.com. With the regular season scheduled to kick off on September 4, this preseason clash is more than just a showpiece; it's a proving ground for players like Patrick, who's entering his eighth season, and Vaki, the second-year up-and-comer.
Teams throughout the league have been toiling away since mid-July, getting back into the grind of training camp with the hopes of refining their rosters before the regular season commences. The Lions, like all NFL teams, are tasked with the unenviable job of having to trim down to a 53-player roster by August 26. Patrick and Vaki are two of 29 Utes currently spread across the league, a testament to the University of Utah football program's continuing influence on professional ranks. Patrick, who had to sit out much of the 2022 and '23 seasons due to injury, made a noteworthy comeback in 2024, capturing 33 receptions for a hard-earned 394 yards and three touchdowns. Vaki, a relative NFL newcomer, contributed primarily on special teams during his rookie year, registering six carries and eight tackles.
But it's not only on the field where Utah alumni are making their mark. Brian Johnson, the winningest quarterback in Utah's storied history, is entering his second season with the Washington Commanders as their assistant head coach and offensive pass game coordinator. Further afield, Alex Whittingham has entrenched himself in his role with the Kansas City Chiefs, now in his eighth year as the assistant defensive line coach. Their positions underscore the continued impact of the Utes' football program way beyond the confines of the college gridiron.
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