SAN DIEGO – A pair of Aztecs started in the NFL while two more played in the NBA and another finished in the top 20 in a PGA tournament.
In the NFL, Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) earned a fourth consecutive start in his game in Carolina on Thursday night. Hall played for all 66 snaps on defense, making three tackles (two solo) including one for loss and breaking up a pass. The Falcons host Chicago for a Week 11 matchup. Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16) made his season debut, returning from a broken arm in a win over New Orleans. Kazee earned the start and played all 47 snaps on defense and two on special teams. He picked off New Orleans quarterback Andy Dalton early in the fourth quarter as the Saints were driving near the red zone. Kazee also made four tackles (three solo) and broke up a pass. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) played 27 snaps on offense and five on defense in a Sunday night win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Next week, the 49ers travel to Arizona for a Monday night game. Arizona defensive lineman Cameron Thomas (2019-21) appeared on 20 defensive snaps and three special teams snaps in a win over the Los Angeles Rams. His teammate, long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11), was on the field for 10 snaps on special teams. The Cardinals host Brunskill's San Francisco squad on Monday night.
New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) is recovering from eye surgery. Seattle running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17) and New York Jets fullback Nick Bawden (2014, 16-17) are on injured reserve. Former Aztecs on practice squads are linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) on New England, offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2017-21) on Chicago, linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) on Indianapolis, defensive back Trenton Thompson (2016, 18-21) on the New York Giants, offensive lineman William Dunkle (2019-21) on Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Keith Ismael (2017-19), defensive lineman Alex Barrett (2013-16) and safety Tayler Hawkins (2017-21) on San Francisco.
In the NBA, forward Jalen McDaniels (2017-19) played in all four games for the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 10.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game. So far this season, he is putting up 9.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks. Guard Malachi Flynn (2020) appeared in three games for the Toronto Raptors, averaging 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.3 steals and 0.3 blocks. Flynn set a season high by scoring 12 points on Friday in Oklahoma City and on Monday in Detroit. On the season, he is averaging 6.3 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.0 assist, 0.3 steals and 0.1 blocks. Forward Kawhi Leonard (2010-11) did not appear in any games for the Los Angeles Clippers with a knee injury. This season, he is averaging 12.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals. Guard Jordan Schakel (2018-21) did not play this week but has totaled three points, an assist and a steal in two games this season for Washington.
On the PGA Tour, Scott Piercy (1999-2001) tied for 16th in the Cadence Bank Houston Open at five-under-par. Xander Schauffele (2013-15) is ranked sixth in the world while J.J. Spaun (2009-12) ranks 84th in the world. This weekend, Piercy and Spaun will compete in the RSM Classic in Sea Island, Georgia.