By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports activities
The first week of the 2025 NFL season is within the books, and there have been loads of standout performances by former SuperWest gamers.
Every week I spotlight the highest performances of West Coast faculty alums in our protection footprint.
Given the excessive curiosity in newcomers from the West to the League, I additionally summarize the stats of some notable professional rookies who didn’t make the primary record.
Prime NFL Performances
1. Josh Allen, QB, Payments/Wyoming
Allen rallied the Payments from 15 factors down within the fourth quarter to defeat the Ravens within the season opener.
The previous Wyoming Cowboy threw two landing passes and added two extra on the bottom whereas throwing for 394 and including one other 30 speeding.
Allen was spectacular on this showdown, and it got here in opposition to the Baltimore protection no much less.
2. Puca Nacua, WR, Rams/BYU
Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 130 yards in Los Angeles’ 14-9 win over Houston.
The previous Cougar continues to succeed in new heights in his younger NFL profession. Sunday was the fifth time in his 29 profession video games that he recorded at the very least 10 receptions.
That tied Lionel Taylor, who performed his faculty ball at New Mexico Highlands, for the most-ever by a participant in his first 30 profession video games.
3. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers/Oregon
Herbert was stellar within the Chargers’ opening win over the Chiefs in Brazil.
The previous Duck accomplished over 75% of his passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Maybe most significantly, he took care of the soccer with no picks or turnovers.
Herbert additionally made performs together with his legs, including 32 yards on the bottom and sealing the win with a third-down scamper.
4. Bobby Okereke, LB, Giants/Stanford
Okereke opened the 2025 season with 16 tackles within the Giants’ loss to Washington.
The linebacker out of Stanford has solely had one recreation in his profession with extra tackles.
He recorded 17 in Week 16 of the 2022 season whereas taking part in for the Colts, coincidentally in opposition to the Giants.
5. Carl Granderson, DE, Saints/Wyoming
The Saints fell to the Cardinals within the opener, however the former Wyoming star had an excellent debut to the 2025 marketing campaign.
Granderson opened the season with six complete tackles—5 of them solo, including 1.5 sacks and an extra hit of Arizona QB Kyler Murray.
He was additionally credited with two passes defended as his palms have been lively on the line. Okereke was in on 97% of the Giants’ defensive snaps as he made performs from sideline to sideline.
6. Daiyan Henley, LB, Chargers/Washington State
Henley had a breakout season in 2024 and is off to a superb begin in 2025.
Within the win in Sao Paulo, the previous Wazzu star collected eight tackles with one sack and a stress of Patrick Mahomes within the win.
7. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers/Cal
Rodgers threw 4 landing passes with no interceptions and a 136.7 passer score as he led Pittsburgh to victory over his outdated crew, the Jets.
Rodgers now has 28 profession video games with at the very least 4 landing passes and no interceptions, tied with Tom Brady for probably the most in NFL historical past.
There could also be some life left in that outdated arm in spite of everything.
8. Isaiah Pola-Mao, S, Raiders/USC
Pola-Mao opened his fourth season within the NFL with seven tackles, a deal with for loss, an interception, and two complete passes defended.
The interception within the third quarter was key within the Las Vegas win over New England and was simply the second interception of his profession.
9. Budda Baker, S, Cardinals/Washington
Budda Baker led Arizona in tackles in its season-opening win over the Saints.
The previous Husky continues to be a tackling machine, as he completed the day with 10 complete tackles.
A type of stops was within the backfield, and he added a cross breakup in protection.
10. Carson Schwesinger, LB, Browns/UCLA (R)
The former Bruin recorded eight stops in his NFL profession opener because the Browns narrowly fell to the Bengals.
Schwesinger’s eight tackles have been probably the most amongst Cleveland defenders and included one in deal with for loss and an extra hit on Joe Burrow.
11. Caleb Williams, QB, Bears/USC
The second-year sign caller out of USC acquired the Bears off to a quick begin however couldn’t maintain on for a Week One win over Minnesota in a key NFC North battle.
Williams was environment friendly and made performs together with his arm and legs in Ben Johnson’s offense, ending the night time with 210 yards although the air and 58 on the bottom together with a TD.
12. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts/USC
The former Trojan star caught six passes for 80 yards and a landing because the Colts opened the season with a win for the primary time since 2013.
Pittman continues the good string of performs he was in on on the finish of final season.
That is the fourth time within the final 5 video games that the wideout has reeled in at the very least six catches.
Notable Rookie Performances
- Tetairoa McMillian, WR, Panthers/Arizona—Led Carolina in receiving with 5 receptions for 68 yards.
- Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jaguars/Colorado—5 catches for 33 yards, simply six snaps on protection however assisted in a deal with.
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders/Boise State—19 carries for 38 yards and two receptions for 2 yards. Recorded his first profession landing on the bottom.
- Cam Skattebo, RB, Giants/Arizona State—9 complete scrimmage yards on 4 touches.
writes about numerous subjects for SuperWest sports activities, together with stats and data, faculty sports activities, and motorsports. He additionally based and runs the Sports activities and Leisure Analysis Middle (SERC).
