The NFL is over a month and some change into the 2022 season, and a handful of Tucson natives and former Arizona Wildcats are impacting their respective teams.
Hereβs how the ex-Cats β and a few βT-Locsβ β are faring as the NFL season nears its midway point.
Stanley Berryhill III, Arizona Cardinals
Connection: Former Mountain View High School and UA wide receiver
How itβs going: Berryhill was released by the Atlanta Falcons after an undrafted training camp stint, but returned to his home state and signed to the Arizona Cardinalsβ practice squad.
Giants running back Gary Brightwell reacts after recovering a muffed punt against the Bears during their Oct. 2 game.
Gary Brightwell, New York Giants
Connection: Former UA running back
How itβs going: Brightwell scored his first NFL touchdown in a 27-22 win over the Green Bay Packers earlier this month. As a backup running back for the 5-1 Giants, Brightwell has four carries for 19 yards and a touchdown. He has also found a niche on special teams, logging eight returns for 177 yards.
Dane Cruikshank, Chicago Bears
Connection: Former UA cornerback
How itβs going: Cruikshank has played 38 snaps on special teams. Heβs the backup strong safety to Jaquan Brisker.
Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, San Francisco 49ers
Connection: Former Tucson High and Mountain View High School and UA safety
How itβs going: Flannigan-Fowles moved from safety to linebacker, and has recorded nine tackles, one sack and one quarterback pressure in his new role. Flannigan-Fowles has played 38 snaps on defense and 104 on special teams.
Nick Foles, Indianapolis Colts
Connection: Former UA quarterback
How itβs going: The only Super Bowl MVP in UA history went from backing up Andy Dalton and Justin Fields in Chicago to backing up Matt Ryan in Indianapolis. Foles has taken two offensive snaps, but hasnβt recorded a stat.
Nick Folk remains one of the NFL's most consistent kickers.
Nick Folk, New England Patriots
Connection: Former UA kicker
How itβs going: Patriots coach Bill Belichick raved about Folk during a postgame press conference this season. βNick is so consistent,β he said. βYou kind of start to take it for granted until you realize how difficult it is. β¦ Nick makes it look so easy and itβs what we see in practice. You get some crazy wind and the ball goes right between the uprights all the time. I canβt say enough Nick Folk. Heβs so professional, so consistent, so dependable and when you stop and think about how hard that job is over the amount of time weβre talking about, itβs really impressive.β Folk missed a 45-yard field goal in the Patsβ 38-15 win over the Browns on Sunday. The last time Folk missed a field goal under 50 yards was against the Dolphins in the Patriotsβ season opener in 2020. Folk has made 331 of his 401 field-goal attempts over his 15-year NFL career.
Roy Lopez, Houston Texans
Connection: Former UA defensive tackle
How itβs going: Lopez has recorded 11 tackles, one stop for loss and a pass breakup this season. Lopez is a starting defensive tackle for the 1-3-1 Texans.
Blake Martinez, Las Vegas Raiders
Connection: Former Canyon del Oro High School linebacker
How itβs going: Las Vegas signed Martinez to a one-year, $1.1 million deal after he was waived by the New York Giants. Martinez, who suffered a season-ending knee injury last season, has one tackle.
Will Parks, New York Jets
Connection: Former UA safety
How itβs going: Parks scooped up a blocked punt and returned it 20 yards for his first-career touchdown in Sundayβs win over the Packers. Parks has played mostly special teams this season, but earned 24 defensive reps against the Dolphins earlier this month.
J.J. Taylor, New England Patriots
Connection: Former UA running back
How itβs going: Taylor is a member of the Patriotsβ practice squad, one year after rushing 19 times for 37 yards and two touchdowns.
Levi Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
Connection: Former Tucson High defensive back
How itβs going: Wallace signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers before the season. The Steelersβ defense has given up the second-most passing yards (1,667) this season β just 20 fewer than the Atlanta Falcons. Wallace has 13 tackles, four pass breakups and one interception for the 2-4 Steelers.
Jace Whittaker, Arizona Cardinals
Connection: Former UA cornerback
How itβs going: Whittaker has played in three games in Arizonaβs injury-riddled secondary. He has seven tackles and a pass deflection.
