Best NFL players born in Utah
Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL's greatest talents trace their roots back to Utah.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Utah. Players were ranked by weighted career approximate value (AV), a metric developed by Pro Football Reference that measures overall career impact. Data is as of the start of the 2025 NFL season.
This list highlights players who made their mark on the league—some remembered for their longevity, others for their peak dominance. Read on to see which football stars born in Utah have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#48. Doug Jolley (TE) (tie)
- City: Sandy
- Years played: 2002-2006 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 74
- Weighted career value: 11
#48. Jordan Devey (T) (tie)
- City: American Fork
- Years played: 2014-2020
- Games played: 44
- Weighted career value: 11
#48. Tyrell Crosby (T) (tie)
- City: Bountiful
- Years played: 2018-2020
- Games played: 38
- Weighted career value: 11
#45. Colby Bockwoldt (LB) (tie)
- City: Ogden
- Years played: 2004-2007
- Games played: 49
- Weighted career value: 12
#45. Lance Scott (C) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1997-1998 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 32
- Weighted career value: 12
#45. Tony Bergstrom (T) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 2012-2020
- Games played: 86
- Weighted career value: 12
#41. Alohi Gilman (S) (tie)
- City: St. George
- Years played: 2020-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 68
- Weighted career value: 13
#41. Brady Christensen (G) (tie)
- City: Bountiful
- Years played: 2021-2024
- Games played: 51
- Weighted career value: 13
#41. Matt Asiata (FB) (tie)
- City: West Valley
- Years played: 2012-2016
- Games played: 74
- Weighted career value: 13
#41. Zach Wilson (QB) (tie)
- City: Draper
- Years played: 2021-2023 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 34
- Weighted career value: 13
#38. Glen Redd (LILB) (tie)
- City: Ogden
- Years played: 1981-1986 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 76
- Weighted career value: 14
#38. Marv Bateman (P) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1972-1977
- Games played: 81
- Weighted career value: 14
#38. Scott Brumfield (G) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1993-1997
- Games played: 56
- Weighted career value: 14
#37. Mat Mendenhall (DE)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1981-1982
- Games played: 23
- Weighted career value: 15
#36. Braxton Jones (OL)
- City: Murray
- Years played: 2022-2024 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 40
- Weighted career value: 16
#32. Brant Boyer (MLB) (tie)
- City: Ogden
- Years played: 1994-2003
- Games played: 130
- Weighted career value: 18
#32. Gordon Jolley (G) (tie)
- City: Provo
- Years played: 1972-1977
- Games played: 59
- Weighted career value: 18
#32. Matt Gay (K) (tie)
- City: Orem
- Years played: 2019-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 90
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 18
#32. Tyler Larsen (C) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 2016-2023
- Games played: 100
- Weighted career value: 18
#30. Mark Koncar (T) (tie)
- City: Murray
- Years played: 1976-1982 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 58
- Weighted career value: 19
#30. Stewart Bradley (MLB) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 2007-2012 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 76
- Weighted career value: 19
#29. Julian Blackmon (S)
- City: Layton
- Years played: 2020-2024 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 66
- Weighted career value: 20
#28. Ron Rydalch (DT)
- City: Tooele
- Years played: 1975-1980
- Games played: 74
- Weighted career value: 21
#24. Bruce Hardy (TE) (tie)
- City: Murray
- Years played: 1978-1989 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 151
- Weighted career value: 22
#24. Cody Barton (OLB) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 2019-2024 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 95
- Weighted career value: 22
#24. Kevin Dyson (WR) (tie)
- City: Logan
- Years played: 1998-2003 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 59
- Weighted career value: 22
#24. Phil Olsen (DT) (tie)
- City: Logan
- Years played: 1971-1976
- Games played: 79
- Weighted career value: 22
#22. Golden Richards (WR) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1973-1979 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 86
- Weighted career value: 23
#22. Kaden Elliss (OLB) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 2019-2024 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 82
- Weighted career value: 23
#21. Xavier Su'a-Filo (G)
- City: American Fork
- Years played: 2014-2021 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 83
- Weighted career value: 24
#18. Andre James (OL) (tie)
- City: Herriman
- Years played: 2019-2024 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 89
- Weighted career value: 25
#18. Dalton Schultz (TE) (tie)
- City: Sandy
- Years played: 2018-2024 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 107
- Weighted career value: 25
#18. Kevin Curtis (WR) (tie)
- City: Murray
- Years played: 2003-2010 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 81
- Weighted career value: 25
#17. Virgil Carter (QB)
- City: Anabella
- Years played: 1968-1976 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 52
- Weighted career value: 26
#15. Nick Vigil (ILB) (tie)
- City: Ogden
- Years played: 2016-2024 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 113
- Weighted career value: 27
#15. Shawn Miller (DE) (tie)
- City: Ogden
- Years played: 1984-1989 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 78
- Weighted career value: 27
#13. Dick Felt (DB) (tie)
- City: Lehi
- Years played: 1960-1966 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 80
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 36
#13. Sione Pouha (DT) (tie)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 2005-2012 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 106
- Weighted career value: 36
#12. Matt Brock (DE)
- City: Ogden
- Years played: 1989-1996 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 108
- Weighted career value: 41
#11. Erik Pears (T)
- City: Price
- Years played: 2006-2015 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 117
- Weighted career value: 42
#10. Garett Bolles (T)
- City: Lehi
- Years played: 2017-2024 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 116
- Weighted career value: 45
#9. Scott Mitchell (QB)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1991-2001 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Weighted career value: 49
#8. Kyle Turley (T)
- City: Provo
- Years played: 1998-2007 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 109
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 52
#7. Blaine Nye (G)
- City: Ogden
- Years played: 1968-1976 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 125
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- Weighted career value: 55
#6. Barry Sims (T)
- City: Park City
- Years played: 1999-2010 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 174
- Weighted career value: 56
#5. Derek Smith (LB)
- City: American Fork
- Years played: 1997-2008 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 174
- Weighted career value: 59
#4. Rulon Jones (DE)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1980-1988 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 129
- Pro Bowl selections: 2
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 63
#3. Carnell Lake (DB)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1989-2001 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 185
- Pro Bowl selections: 5
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 83
#2. Merlin Olsen (DT)
- City: Logan
- Years played: 1962-1976 (15 years as starter)
- Games played: 208
- Pro Bowl selections: 14
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 5
- Weighted career value: 116
#1. Steve Young (QB)
- City: Salt Lake City
- Years played: 1985-1999 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 169
- Pro Bowl selections: 7
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 3
- Weighted career value: 132
