SAN DIEGO – Two former Aztecs made their NFL debuts.
In the NFL, New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) started and played 68 snaps on offense, all but one. He caught both his targets for 27 yards against Minnesota. On Sunday, the Giants will host Indianapolis. Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) started and recorded a solo tackle in Baltimore. He played for six snaps on defense and two on special teams. Next, the Falcons host Arizona for a Week 17 matchup. Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16) earned his fourth start of the season and recorded four solo tackles while playing 47 snaps on defense and seven on special teams in a Saturday night win over Las Vegas. The Steelers are in Baltimore on Sunday night. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) played 27 snaps on offense and seven on special teams in a win over Washington. Next week, the 49ers are in Las Vegas. Arizona linebacker Cameron Thomas (2019-21) made a solo tackle with two hits on quarterback Tom Brady. One of Thomas' hits on Brady caused a red zone interception in the second quarter. Thomas was on the field for 34 snaps on defense and five on special teams against Tampa Bay. His teammate, long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11), played for 12 special teams snaps. Brewer was placed on injured reserve on Monday with a pectoral injury. The Cardinals play in Atlanta on Sunday. Offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2017-21) made his NFL debut for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday against Denver, playing one snap on offense. Next week, the Rams play the team they share a stadium with the Los Angeles Chargers. Linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) was activated by Indianapolis prior to their Monday night game against the Chargers. Olubi made his NFL debut, playing nine snaps on special teams in the game. The Colts head to the Meadowlands to face the Bellinger's Giants on Sunday.
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 defensive back Trenton Thompson (2016, 18-21) on the New York Giants, linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) on New England, 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, Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2010-11) started three games, averaging 19.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. Leonard set season highs with 28 points in a Friday night game in Philadelphia and eight assists in a Tuesday night win in Toronto. This season, he is averaging 16.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.3 blocks. Forward Jalen McDaniels (2017-19) competed in four games for the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 10.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals. His season numbers are 10.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.5 blocks per game. Guard Malachi Flynn (2020) appeared in three games for Toronto. Last week, Flynn averaged 9.0 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.3 blocks per game. On the season, he is averaging 7.0 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.1 blocks.
On the PGA Tour, Xander Schauffele (2013-15) is ranked sixth in the world while J.J. Spaun (2009-12) ranks 87th in the world and 46th in the FedEx Cup, and Scott Piercy (1999-2001) ranks 80th in the FedEx Cup.