Top 10 Plays, Highlights From NFL Locals In 2024 Season
Feb 28, 2025, 5:52 PM
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - NOVEMBER 17: Puka Nacua #17 of the Los Angeles Rams catches a pass during the second quarter against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 17, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
(Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Before heading into the thick of the offseason, let’s relive some of the best NFL highlights from players with Utah ties.
Now weeks removed from Super Bowl LIX and the conclusion of the 2024 NFL season, there’s no better time to reflect on some of the most memorable moments from 2024.
In no particular order, let’s dive into the top 10.
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Top 10 NFL Highlights From Utah’s Locals In 2024
Taysom Hill Makes It A Hat Trick With Long TD Run
On November 17 against the Cleveland Browns, the New Orleans Saints pulled off a dominant 35-14 win in front of the home crowd.
The biggest storyline of the game was former BYU quarterback Taysom Hill who finished with nearly 200 scrimmage yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Hill’s highlight of the year came later in the game as he took a direct snap over 70 yards for a house call.
RELATED: Saints TE Taysom Hill Adds Third TD With Season-Long Run
Correction… THREE touchdowns for Taysom Hill today! 🤯#LocalsInTheNFL #Saints #BYUFootball #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) November 17, 2024
Puka Nacua Lays Out For First Touchdown Of Season
Former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua missed considerable time last year with a knee injury. However, when he was on the field, his impact was never in question.
His first touchdown came against the Patriots on November 17 as he finished with seven receptions for 123 yards in a Rams win.
Nacua’s first score came in highlight fashion as he laid out to haul in the catch near the right sideline.
RELATED: Rams WR Puka Nacua Dives, Hauls In First Touchdown Of Season
Former @BYUfootball WR @AsapPuka lays out for his first TD of the season! 😮#LocalsInTheNFL #RamsHouse #BYUFootball #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) November 17, 2024
Clark Phillips III Seals Win With First Career Interception
Former Utah defensive back Clark Phillips III had a very solid start to his NFL career in 2024.
On October 13 in a blowout win over the Panthers, Phillips secured the win for Atlanta with a late interception.
His very first pick could have very well been a pick-six. But, he hit the turf inside the five-yard line to take more time off the clock.
RELATED: Falcons CB Clark Phillips III Ices Win With First Career Interception Against Panthers
Winning plays from former @Utah_Football CB @ClarkPhillips21 😤#LocalsInTheNFL #RiseUp #GoUtes #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 13, 2024
Taron Johnson Starts Bills Off With Pick-Six
From an almost defensive score to a completed one, former Weber State defensive back Taron Johnson finished the job in week 10 against the Colts.
Very early in the first quarter, Johnson read Joe Flacco and nabbed the interception near the 20-yard line.
After switching sides of the field, he took it in to put Buffalo on the board.
RELATED: Bills CB Taron Johnson Picks Off Colts, Returns Interception For Six
Former @weberstatefb CB @Taronj11 gets an early pick-six in week 10! 😤#LocalsInTheNFL #BillsMafia #WeAreWeber #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) November 10, 2024
Rashid Shaheed Breaks Free For 70-Yard Deep Ball
It was a big year for Wildcats in the NFL. Before suffering a season-ending injury, former Weber State wide receiver Rashid Shaheed was on pace for a career year.
As a deep threat for New Orleans, his longest play of the season came in week two against the Cowboys.
Shaheed dusted Dallas’ double coverage and took the top off for a 70-yard bomb.
RELATED: Saints WR Rashid Shaheed Makes It Back-To-Back Games With Long TD Catches
Another deep ball TD for former @weberstatefb WR @RashidShaheed 🫡#LocalsInTheNFL #Saints #WeAreWeber #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 15, 2024
Ryan Rehkow Sets Cincinnati Bengals Record
Former BYU punter Ryan Rehkow had an NFL debut to remember.
After Cincinnati’s second drive sputtered to a fourth down, Rehkow showed off his cannon leg with an 80-yard punt.
The kick was good for the longest in Cincinnati Bengals history.
RELATED: Former BYU Punter Ryan Rehkow Boots A Bengals Record
The rook made the HISTORY BOOKS!!
Ryan Rehkow with an 80-YD PUNT, making it the longest punt in Bengals history 👏@r_rehkow24 | 📺: #NEvsCIN on CBS/@paramountplus pic.twitter.com/j0LtgME8Wu
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 8, 2024
Devaughn Vele Pulls In Impossible Touchdown Against Chiefs
Maybe the touchdown catch of the year came from former Utah wide receiver Devaughn Vele.
In the final week of the season, Vele was in the right place at the right time, to say the least. A Bo Nix pass intended for tight end Adam Trautman bounced off of two Chiefs defenders before ending up in Vele’s hands in the back of the end zone.
The score was the third in the former Utes rookie campaign.
RELATED: Former Ute Devaughn Vele Pulls Down Improbable TD For Broncos
This TD was wild. 🤯
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/HdqJ03p3w8
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) January 5, 2025
Fred Warner Picks Off Patriots, Rumbles In For Six
In an otherwise rough season for the San Francisco 49ers, former BYU linebacker Fred Warner kept up his All-Pro level of play.
In week four against New England, Warner forced his fifth turnover of the season as he intercepted the Patriots QB.
He rumbled over 40 yards toward the end zone before diving toward the pylon for six.
RELATED: 49ers LB Fred Warner Picks Off Brissett, Takes It Back For Touchdown
Former @BYUfootball LB @fred_warner picks off Brissett and returns it for six! 🤯#LocalsInTheNFL #FTTB #BYUFootball #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) September 29, 2024
Julian Blackmon Secures Tip Drill Interception
Another improbable catch from a Utah local came in week 13.
Former Utah safety Julian Blackmon showed off his concentration and reaction time as he scooped up an interception just moments before it hit the turf.
Blackmon finished with three interceptions in 2024 but none better than the one against the Patriots.
RELATED: Colts DB Julian Blackmon Pulls In Impressive Goal Line Interception
Former @Utah_Football safety @JumpManJu32 with the quick reaction INT! 👀#LocalsInTheNFL #ForTheShoe #GoUtes #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) December 1, 2024
Rashid Shaheed Finds The End Zone On Special Teams
The only player to make two appearances on this list and for good reason.
Shaheed isn’t only a playmaker on offense. His speed makes him a threat on special teams too.
He showed that in week six against the Buccaneers on a punt return.
RELATED: Saints WR Rashid Shaheed Takes Punt Return Over 50 Yards To House
Former @weberstatefb WR @RashidShaheed with the punt return TD! 🤯#LocalsInTheNFL #Saints #WeAreWeber #NFL @kslsports
— Chandler Holt (@CHoltSports) October 13, 2024
About #LocalsInTheNFL
For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
From NFL highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.
