SAN DIEGO – Four former Aztecs started in the NFL while three competed in the NBA and another placed in the top five in a PGA tournament.
In the NFL, New York Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger (2018-21) returned from his eye injury for Sunday's tie with Washington. Bellinger started and played 64 snaps on offense, all but two. He tied for third on the team in targets and receiving yards, and second in receptions. Bellinger caught all five of his targets for 24 yards. On Sunday, the Giants will play host to Philadelphia. Atlanta cornerback Darren Hall (2018-20) earned a seventh consecutive start against Pittsburgh. Hall played for all 65 snaps on defense. It was the fourth consecutive week and fifth time this season that he played every defensive snap. Hall recorded seven tackles (three solo). The Falcons are on bye in Week 14 before heading to New Orleans for a Week 15 matchup. Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee (2013-16) made his second start of the season and recorded a solo tackle while playing 23 snaps on defense and seven on special teams in a win over Hall's Falcons. The Steelers host rival Baltimore on Sunday. San Francisco offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill (2013-16) started for the first time this season and played all 84 snaps on offense and seven on special teams in a win over Miami. Next week, the 49ers host Tampa Bay. Arizona linebacker Cameron Thomas (2019-21) and long snapper Aaron Brewer (2008-11) were on bye. The Cardinals host New England on Monday night. Offensive lineman Zachary Thomas (2017-21) did not appear for the Los Angeles Rams against Seattle. Next week, the Rams host Las Vegas on Thursday night.
Seattle running back Rashaad Penny (2014-17) and New York Jets fullback Nick Bawden (2014, 16-17) are on injured reserve. This week, Penny claimed there is a chance he returns for the playoffs as Seattle is dealing with a slew of running back injuries. Defensive back Trenton Thompson (2016, 18-21) was signed back to the New York Giants' practice squad. Other former Aztecs on practice squads are linebacker Calvin Munson (2013-16) on New England, linebacker Segun Olubi (2020-21) on Indianapolis, 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) started all three games for the Charlotte Hornets. He averaged 13.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 0.3 blocks. On Saturday night, McDaniels put up 21 points against Milwaukee, the second time in three games he surpassed the 20-point threshold after doing it just once previously in his career. His season numbers are 10.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steal and 0.5 blocks per game. Guard Malachi Flynn (2020) appeared in two of Toronto's games. Last week, Flynn totaled five points and two assists. On the season, he is averaging 5.8 points, 1.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.4 steals and 0.1 blocks. Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2010-11) returned from his ankle sprain to start Monday night's game against Charlotte. Leonard made a go-ahead bucket with 1.4 seconds remaining to win the game for Los Angeles. In the contest, he recorded 16 points, six rebounds and two assists.This season, he is averaging 11.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.2 blocks.
On the PGA Tour, Xander Schauffele (2013-15) finished fourth in the Hero World Challenge at 11-under-par. Schauffele 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.