SAN DIEGO -- Nine new Aztecs entered the NFL, four via the 2022 NFL Draft.
In the NFL, a whole new crop of Aztecs moved on to the next level. Defensive end Cameron Thomas (2018-21) was drafted by Arizona with the 87th pick in the third round. Thomas was the highest selected Aztec since tight end Kahale Warring (86th pick) in 2019. In the next round, the New York Giants selected tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) with the 112th pick. Buffalo kicked off the sixth round by taking 2021 Ray Guy Award winner Matt Araiza (2018-21) with the 180th pick. Araiza is the first Aztec drafted by Buffalo or the first Aztec punter drafted since the 1980s, when the draft had more rounds. Later in the round, Chicago picked Cam's brother, offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2016-21) with the 186th pick. After the draft, safety Tayler Hawkins (2016-21) and linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) joined Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) and Alex Barrett (2013-15) by signing with San Francisco, offensive lineman William Dunkle (2018-21) was picked up by Philadelphia, running back Greg Bell (2019-21) went to Detroit, and safety Trenton Thompson (2016-21) joined Bellinger in New York.
In the MLB, infielder Ty France (2013-15) started at first base in each of Seattle's seven games. This week, he batted .259 with a .300 on-base percentage, a run scored, and two RBIs. He currently leads all of baseball with 105 plate appearances and 31 hits. France started off his week with an RBI single and a sac fly in a win over Tampa Bay on Tuesday night. On the season, he is batting .341 with a .413 on-base percentage, five home runs, 21 RBIs and 12 runs. Infielder Alan Trejo (2015-17) started four games at second base for Colorado. He hit a pair of singles, a double and walked in 15 at bats while also driving in a run and scoring three times. Trejo knocked an RBI double in a 10-4 win over Cincinnati on Friday night. On the season, Trejo is batting .257 while reaching base at a .278 clip with a homer, six RBIs and six runs. He was sent down to AAA on Sunday. Pitcher Stephen Strasburg (2008-09) remains on the 10-Day IL for Washington. Outfielder Greg Allen (2012-14) is spending at least the first two months of the season on the 60-Day IL for Pittsburgh.
In the NBA, Toronto guard Malachi Flynn (2020) played for two minutes in Thursday's Game Six with the Raptors being eliminated by Philadelphia.
On the PGA Tour, Scott Piercy (1999-2001) tied for 33rd in the Mexico Open at 7-under-par. Xander Schauffele (2013-15) is ranked 12th in the world and 21st in the FedEx Cup and J.J. Spaun (2009-12) is ranked 16th in the FedEx Cup. This weekend, Piercy is competing in the Wells Fargo Championship, in Potomac, Maryland.