SAN DIEGO -- Aztec fans are quite familiar with the talent of Rashaad Penny (2014-17) from his 2,248 rushing yards and first-team All-America 2017 season. Down the stretch of this NFL season, Penny has returned to his college form and shown NFL fans why Seattle drafted him in the first round in 2018.
Penny started and rushed 17 times for 135 yards (7.9 avg.) and a touchdown in a snow game against the Chicago Bears in Week 16, playing 30 offensive snaps. He refused to go down for 25 yards on a first quarter run that helped lead to a Seattle touchdown. In the second quarter, Penny punched it in from three yards out to give the Seahawks a 14-7 lead. Penny broke off a 32-yard run up the middle in the third quarter, leading to Seattle's third and final touchdown of the game. He broke through the defensive line and cut it outside to the sideline on another 32-yard carry in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough as Seattle fell, 25-24. On Sunday, Penny started again and had an even better performance. He carried the ball 25 times for a career-high 170 yards (6.8 avg.) and a pair of touchdowns in a 51-29 win over Detroit. Penny also caught two of three targets for 15 yards (7.5 avg.) while playing for 46 snaps. On Seattle's second drive, he had a 20-yard scamper to get the Seahawks near the red zone, before breaking multiple tackles while running it in from 15 yards out. Penny showed a burst of speed when he broke off a 23-yard run on the next drive to set the Seahawks up in field goal range. He started off the second quarter with a 6-yard touchdown run before bursting through the hole and moving outside for 37 yards to help Seattle on its way towards the end zone to finish the first half. Penny's performance tied for the sixth-highest rushing total in a game this season and he was only the fourth back to rush for 170 yards in a game this campaign. He is Seattle's sixth back to ever rush for 170 yards in a game, the first in six years and the second in 15 years. The Seahawks will close the season in Arizona on Sunday.
Safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16) started and was on the field for 50 defensive and six special teams snaps in Dallas' blowout win over Washington on Sunday night of Week 16. Kazee made five tackles (three solo) in the game. He also forced a fumble by tight end John Bates, but Bates recovered in the end zone for a touchdown. Kazee started again in Week 17 against Arizona. He was on the field for 30 defensive and four special teams snaps and assisted on a tackle. The Cowboys finish the regular season in Philadelphia on Saturday.
Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) started for San Francisco and played all 59 snaps on offense and three snaps on special teams against Tennessee on Thursday night of Week 16. In week 17, Brunskill started again and played for all 62 snaps on offense and five on special teams in a dominant win over Houston. The 49ers close out the season in Los Angeles against the Rams.
Offensive lineman Keith Ismael (2017-19) started and was on the field for all 60 snaps on offense for Washington against Dallas. The next week, Ismael started again and played all 63 offensive snaps against Philadelphia. They will go to New York to end the season against the Giants.
Cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) played for four defensive snaps and eight special teams snaps in Atlanta's win over Detroit. Hall recorded three tackles (two solo). He followed it up by drawing his first career start in Buffalo. Hall was on the field for 75 snaps on defense and three on special teams while making a tackle. Hall and the Falcons will close out the season against New Orleans.
Fullback Nick Bawden (2014-17) saw action for eight snaps on offense and 15 snaps on special teams in the New York Jets' win over Jacksonville. In a tight game against the reigning champs, Bawden started and saw action for 13 snaps on offense and 19 on special teams. They will play in Buffalo next Sunday.
Linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) played for two snaps on defense and 14 snaps on special teams in Miami's win over New Orleans. Munson recorded a pair of tackles (one solo). In week 17, he played for a snap on defense and seven on special teams. Next week, the Dolphins host Munson's former team, New England.
Long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11) appeared for six snaps on special teams for Arizona. The next week, Brewer appeared in nine special teams plays and made a solo tackle. Tight end David Wells (2014-17) started for Arizona in Sunday's win over Dallas. Wells was on the field for eight snaps on offense and a snap on special teams. Next week, Brewer, Wells and the Cardinals face Penny's Seahawks.
Jacksonville signed tight end Kahale Warring (2016-18) off Buffalo's practice squad. He made his Jaguars debut by appearing for 12 offensive snaps and nine special teams snaps.They finish the season against Indianapolis in Week 18. Offensive lineman Jacob Capra (2019-20) is on Buffalo's practice squad. Defensive lineman Alex Barrett (2013-16) and cornerback Luq Barcoo (2018-19) are on San Francisco's practice squad.
In the NBA, guard Malachi Flynn (2020) played in three games for Toronto after returning from the league's health and safety protocols. Flynn averaged 2.7 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.3 blocks. On the season, he is averaging 3.2 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.4 steals, and 0.1 blocks. Forward Jalen McDaniels (2018-19) appeared in five games for Charlotte. McDaniels averaged 10.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks. He started two games and dropped 16 and 12 points in those games in addition to scoring 12 points in another game. So far this season, McDaniels is averaging 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Guard Jordan Schakel (2018-21) made his NBA debut on the 26th against Philadelphia and grabbed two rebounds. He followed it up on the 30th by grabbing another rebound in a win over Cleveland. Forward Kawhi Leonard (2010-11) is on the Los Angeles Clippers, but is sitting out while recovering from a Torn ACL suffered during last season's playoffs.
On the PGA Tour, Xander Schauffele (2013-15) is ranked sixth in the world and will compete in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, Hawai'i, this weekend.