Locals in the NFL: BYU alum Tyler Batty may have had most unique NFL debut ever

AROUND THE SHIELD — By the stat line, former BYU pass rusher Tyler Batty’s NFL debut won’t occupy chapters in many books.

The former Payson High standout officially made one tackle on special teams after being activated off injured reserve before the Minnesota Vikings’ 28-22 loss to the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles.

But it was a certain defensive play that had everyone on the internet talking about the undrafted rookie who overcame a knee injury during the preseason.

With less than a minute remaining in the first quarter, the Eagles faced a third-and-1 and began lining up for the infamous tush push, the controversial quarterback sneak where one or more of Jalen Hurts’ teammates pushes him for a short yardage gain.

But before the play could begin, Batty was lying sideways in front of Eagles center Cam Jurgens, in between Jalen Redmond and Levi Drake Rodriguez in an attempt to occupy every inch of space in front of the football.

One time, it worked — sort of. Philadelphia was called for a false start, and the Eagles punted after an incomplete pass on third-and-6, as noted by The Athletic.

Regardless of the unconventional play (that officially didn’t count), Batty later said it was “a dream come true” to (finally) be able to make his NFL debut.

“That’s probably a cliche thing to say, but a lot of emotions,” Batty told KSTP’s Darren Wolfson after the game. “I’m just incredibly grateful to be back and be out there playing with the guys.

“The hardest part about any injury is definitely the mental side,” he added. “Physically, you know it sucks and you’re grateful when you’re able to move. But mentally, not being able to do what you want and what you normally can do definitely is tough. I’m just happy to be back.”

Here’s a look at how other former Utah high school and college football stars performed in Week 7 of the 2025 NFL regular season, including Fred Warner’s inspiration in the 49ers’ 20-10 win over Atlanta a week after being shelved with a gruesome ankle injury.

Monday Night FootballTampa Bay vs. Detroit

Buccaneers (5-1)

No locals on the active rosterLions (4-2)Penei Sewell, OT, Desert Hills High (via Oregon)Sione Vaki, RB, UtahHouston vs. Seattle

Texans (2-3)

Dalton Schultz, TE, Bingham High (via Stanford)

Seahawks (4-2)

Sunday Night FootballSan Francisco 20, Atlanta 10

49ers (5-2)

No locals on the active roster

Falcons (3-3)

Tyler Allgeier, RB, BYU: Reserve running back had four carries for 16 yardsClark Phillips III, CB, Utah: Placed on injured reserve (triceps)Kaden Elliss, LB, Judge Memorial (via Idaho): Starting linebacker had nine tackles, a quarterback hit and an interceptionSunday afternoonLos Angeles 37, Jacksonville 7

Rams (5-2)

Puka Nacua, WR, BYU/Orem High: Inactive for Week 7

Jaguars (4-3)

Devin Lloyd, LB, Utah: Inactive for Week 7Tim Patrick, WR, Utah: Reserve receiver caught one pass for 22 yards before leaving with injury (groin)Chicago 26, New Orleans 14

Bears (4-2)

Braxton Jones, OT, Southern Utah/Murray High: Reserve offensive lineman also played on special teamsNoah Sewell, LB, Orem High (via Oregon): Inactive for Week 7

Saints (1-6)

Michael Davis, CB, BYU: Reserve cornerback also played on special teamsTaysom Hill, QB, BYU: Reserve quarterback had two carries for -14 yards and caught two passes for 12 yardsTerrell Burgess, S, Utah: Reserve safety made one tackle on defenseNephi Sewell, LB, Utah/Desert Hills High: Reserve linebacker also played on special teamsDevaughn Vele, WR, Utah: Reserve receiver was targeted once, but called back on penaltyRashid Shaheed, WR/RS, Weber State: Starting receiver was targeted nine times, caught four passes for 40 yards, and returned one punt (fair catch) on special teamsJonah Williams, DE, Weber State: Inactive for Week 7Cleveland 31, Miami 6

Browns (2-5)

Mohamoud Diabate, LB, Utah: Reserve linebacker also played on special teams

Dolphins (1-6)

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU/Corner Canyon High: Inactive for Week 7Kansas City 31, Las Vegas 0

Chiefs (4-3)

Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU/Orem High: Started at left guardJalen Royals, WR, Utah State: Reserve receiver also played on special teamsJeffrey Bassa, LB, Kearns High (via Oregon): Reserve linebacker also played on special teams

Raiders (2-5)

Jackson Powers-Johnson, C, Corner Canyon High (via Oregon): Started at right guardLeki Fotu, DT, Utah/Herriman: Reserve defensive lineman had three tackles and a tackle for lossPhiladelphia 28, Minnesota 22

Eagles (5-2)

Cameron Latu, TE, Olympus High (via Alabama): Reserve tight end made one tackle on special teams

Vikings (3-3)

Tyler Batty, LB, BYU/Payson High: Reserve linebacker made one tackle on special teams in NFL debutCarolina 13, New York 6

Panthers (4-3)

Brady Christensen, OG, BYU/Bountiful High: Started at right guard

Jets (0-7)

Jay Tufele, DT, Bingham High (via USC): Reserve defensive lineman left game early (knee)New England 31, Tennessee 13

Patriots (5-2)

Khyiris Tonga, DT, BYU/Granger High: Starting defensive tackle made two stops

Titans (1-6)

Cody Barton, LB, Utah/Brighton High: Starting linebacker had four tacklesDenver 33, New York 32

Broncos (5-2)

Garett Bolles, OT, Utah/Snow/Westlake High: Starting left tackle was targeted once after reporting as an eligible receiverJonah Elliss, LB, Utah: Inactive for Week 7Karene Reid, LB, Utah/Timpview High: Reserve linebacker also played on special teams

Giants (2-5)

Jaxson Dart, QB, Corner Canyon/Roy High (via Ole Miss): Starting quarterback completed 15-of-33 passes for 283 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, four sacks taken, and ran for 11 yards and a touchdown on five carriesIndianapolis 38, Los Angeles 24

Colts (6-1)

No locals on the active roster

Chargers (4-3)

Andre James, C, Herriman High (via UCLA): Reserve lineman also played on special teamsGreen Bay 27, Arizona 23

Packers (4-1-1)

Jordan Love, QB, Utah State: Starting quarterback completed 19-of-29 passes for 179 yards with one touchdown and one sack taken, also ran for 22 yards on four carries and recovered two fumblesZayne Anderson, S, BYU/Stansbury High: Reserve safety also played on special teamsChris Brooks, RB, BYU: Reserve running back was targeted once as a receiver, made one tackle on special teams

Cardinals (2-5)

Kedon Slovis, QB, BYU: Active, but did not playSimi Fehoko, WR, Brighton High (via Stanford): Reserve receiver made one tackle on special teamsDallas 44, Washington 22

Cowboys (3-3-1)

No locals on the active roster

Commanders (3-4)

Matt Gay, K, Utah/UVU/Orem High: Kicked two PATs and four kickoffsBobby Wagner, LB, Utah State: Starting linebacker posted team-high eight tackles

One of the reasons Jaylen Warren is PFF’s highest graded Steeler right now.

🟩 70.0 – Pass Blocking
🟦 84.9 – Rushing
🟦 89.4 – Receiving
🟦 90.0 – Overall Grade pic.twitter.com/IpwL3FJQBV

— All-22 (@All22_PFF) October 17, 2025Thursday Night FootballCincinnati 33, Pittsburgh 31

Bengals (3-4)

Ryan Rehkow, P, BYU: Punted three times for 135 yards (45.0 yards per punt) with one punt downed inside the 20 in eight snaps on special teams

Steelers (4-2)

Jaylen Warren, RB, Utah State/Snow/East High (via Oklahoma State): Starting running back piled up 127 yards on 16 carries, caught four passes for 31 yards in 37 snaps on offenseMiles KIllebrew, S, Southern Utah: Placed on injured reserve