Washington Huskies alumni in the NFL – 2020 wrap up: NFC West
Herb Nightengale
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Tristan Vizcaino, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Huskies NFL.
This year there were 36 Washington Huskies alumni in the NFL. PNWS takes a division by division look at how they fared. We start with the NFC West.
The Washington Huskies have been a dependable supplier of talent to the professional ranks. This year, 36 University of Washington alumni were part of NFL Rosters. Pacific Northwest Sports reviews their performance this season, division by division. We start with the NFC West.
San Francisco 49ers
Wide receiver Dante Pettis had a disappointing 2020 season this year as a receiver and punt returner. He played in five games, was targeted once with no receptions. Pettis wasn’t much help on special teams either, returning one kickoff and two punts. On November 4, the 49ers waived him, and the New York Giants picked him up a few days later.
On December 30th, kicker Robbie Gould signed a two-year extension with San Francisco. Five days later, the team put him on the COVID-19 Restricted List. Needing a kicker for the season finale against Seattle, the Niners signed former Husky Tristan Vizcaino from Minnesota’s practice squad. Vizcaino converted both his extra-point opportunities and was three-for-three on field goals.
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles has three former Huskies on their roster.
Defensive lineman Greg Gaines played in every game up from ten games his rookie year. Gaines had 17 tackles on the season along with 1.5 sacks, including one against the Seahawks in week 16.
Like Gaines, offensive lineman Coleman Shelton didn’t start a game. He played in 15, all on special teams. The only game Shelton missed was the season opener against Dallas.
Taylor Rapp started five of the Rams first nine games in 2020. In four of them, the safety played every defensive snap. Unfortunately, the former Washington Huskies star sprained the medial collateral ligament (knee) in Week 10 against the Seahawks.
Rapp had 32 tackles on the season with a season-high of nine against San Francisco in Week 6. The following week against Chicago, he had his only interception of the season. There is an outside chance Rapp will be available for Saturday’s playoff game against the Seahawks.
Troy Hill and Taylor Rapp combine on the end zone INT! #RamsHouse
?: #CHIvsLAR on ESPN
?: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/3oWB2RFTjr pic.twitter.com/2GV9pA6EZ7— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2020