By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
The first week of the 2025 NFL season is in the books, and there were plenty of standout performances by former SuperWest players.
Each week I highlight the top performances of West Coast school alums in our coverage footprint.
Given the high interest in newcomers from the West to the League, I also summarize the stats of some notable pro rookies who didn’t make the main list.
Top NFL Performances
1. Josh Allen, QB, Bills/Wyoming
Allen rallied the Bills from 15 points down in the fourth quarter to defeat the Ravens in the season opener.
The former Wyoming Cowboy threw two touchdown passes and added two more on the ground while throwing for 394 and adding another 30 rushing.
Allen was spectacular in this showdown, and it came against the Baltimore defense no less.
2. Puca Nacua, WR, Rams/BYU
Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 130 yards in Los Angeles’ 14-9 win over Houston.
The former Cougar continues to reach new heights in his young NFL career. Sunday was the fifth time in his 29 career games that he recorded at least 10 receptions.
That tied Lionel Taylor, who played his college ball at New Mexico Highlands, for the most-ever by a player in his first 30 career games.
3. Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers/Oregon
Herbert was stellar in the Chargers’ opening win over the Chiefs in Brazil.
The former Duck completed over 75% of his passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Perhaps most importantly, he took care of the football with no picks or turnovers.
Herbert also made plays with his legs, adding 32 yards on the ground and sealing the win with a third-down scamper.
4. Bobby Okereke, LB, Giants/Stanford
Okereke opened the 2025 season with 16 tackles in the Giants’ loss to Washington.
The linebacker out of Stanford has only had one game in his career with more tackles.
He recorded 17 in Week 16 of the 2022 season while playing for the Colts, coincidentally against the Giants.
5. Carl Granderson, DE, Saints/Wyoming
The Saints fell to the Cardinals in the opener, but the former Wyoming star had a brilliant debut to the 2025 campaign.
Granderson opened the season with six total tackles—five of them solo, adding 1.5 sacks and an additional hit of Arizona QB Kyler Murray.
He was also credited with two passes defended as his hands were active at the line. Okereke was in on 97% of the Giants’ defensive snaps as he made plays from sideline to sideline.
6. Daiyan Henley, LB, Chargers/Washington State
Henley had a breakout season in 2024 and is off to a good start in 2025.
In the win in Sao Paulo, the former Wazzu star collected eight tackles with one sack and a pressure of Patrick Mahomes in the win.
7. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers/Cal
Rodgers threw four touchdown passes with no interceptions and a 136.7 passer rating as he led Pittsburgh to victory over his old team, the Jets.
Rodgers now has 28 career games with at least four touchdown passes and no interceptions, tied with Tom Brady for the most in NFL history.
There may be some life left in that old arm after all.
8. Isaiah Pola-Mao, S, Raiders/USC
Pola-Mao opened his fourth season in the NFL with seven tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, and two total passes defended.
The interception in the third quarter was key in the Las Vegas win over New England and was just the second interception of his career.
9. Budda Baker, S, Cardinals/Washington
Budda Baker led Arizona in tackles in its season-opening win over the Saints.
The former Husky continues to be a tackling machine, as he finished the day with 10 total tackles.
One of those stops was in the backfield, and he added a pass breakup in coverage.
10. Carson Schwesinger, LB, Browns/UCLA (R)
The former Bruin recorded eight stops in his NFL career opener as the Browns narrowly fell to the Bengals.
Schwesinger’s eight tackles were the most among Cleveland defenders and included one in tackle for loss and an additional hit on Joe Burrow.
11. Caleb Williams, QB, Bears/USC
The second-year signal caller out of USC got the Bears off to a fast start but couldn’t hold on for a Week One win over Minnesota in a key NFC North battle.
Williams was efficient and made plays with his arm and legs in Ben Johnson’s offense, finishing the night with 210 yards though the air and 58 on the ground along with a TD.
12. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts/USC
The former Trojan star caught six passes for 80 yards and a touchdown as the Colts opened the season with a win for the first time since 2013.
Pittman continues the nice string of plays he was in on at the end of last season.
This is the fourth time in the last five games that the wideout has reeled in at least six catches.
Notable Rookie Performances
- Tetairoa McMillian, WR, Panthers/Arizona—Led Carolina in receiving with five receptions for 68 yards.
- Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jaguars/Colorado—Five catches for 33 yards, just six snaps on defense but assisted in a tackle.
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders/Boise State—19 carries for 38 yards and two receptions for two yards. Recorded his first career touchdown on the ground.
- Cam Skattebo, RB, Giants/Arizona State—Nine total scrimmage yards on four touches.
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).