The Hall of Fame Game scheduled for July 25, 2026, will pit the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals in a primetime showdown, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. Mountain Time on NBC.
Devin Lloyd, the former Utah Utes linebacker who earned consensus All‑American honors and was named Pat Tillman Pac‑12 Defensive Player of the Year, is entering his first professional season with the Panthers after the team drafted him in the second round.
Lloyd’s transition from college captain to NFL rookie has been accompanied by early praise; he was selected to the 2025 All‑Pro team and earned a Pro Bowl berth, underscoring the high expectations placed on the Utah product.
His collegiate career included a 2021 season in which he led the Utes to a Pac‑12 Championship and served as team captain, a period that cemented his reputation as a defensive leader and a playmaker.
The impact of Utah alumni extends beyond Lloyd; a total of 33 former Utes are currently on NFL rosters, spanning positions from offensive line to quarterback, with standouts such as Garett Bolles, Tyler Huntley and Britain Covey contributing regularly.
Coaching continuity also reflects the program’s reach, as former quarterback Brian Johnson now serves as an offensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams, while Mike McCoy holds an assistant head coach role with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Utah’s expanding footprint in professional football
The presence of multiple alumni in key roles illustrates how the university’s football culture continues to shape the professional game, offering both on‑field talent and strategic insight to NFL programs.