SAN ANTONIO — The wait is over... The NFL season has arrived!
On Thursday night, the Kansas City Chiefs, the defending Super Bowl Champions, will be taking on the Baltimore Ravens to begin the 2024 NFL season.
While San Antonio doesn't have its own NFL team, the city is still well-represented in the National Football League.
From players who grew up in the city to players who attended UTSA, there's definitely no shortage of Alamo City representation....
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Tariq 'Riq' Woolen, Seattle Seahawks
UTSA Roadrunner from 2017-2021
Pro Bowler Tariq 'Riq' Woolen has been a star cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks since he was drafted by the team with the 153rd overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Before Seattle, Woolen attended UTSA from 2017-2021.
Originally from Fort Worth, Woolen chose UTSA over offers from other Texas schools.
At UTSA, Woolen actually played wide receiver his first three seasons, totaling 263 yards and one touchdown. By his redshirt sophomore year, he converted to his current position of cornerback, where he really took off.
In his two years as a cornerback, he recorded two interceptions and 1.5 sacks.
At the 2022 NFL Draft Combine, Woolen ran a 4.26-second 40-yard dash, tied for third best in NFL history.
This led to Woolen getting drafted in the fifth round by the Seattle Seahawks with the 153rd overall pick.
Almost immediately, Woolen started turning heads in Seattle, recording an interception in four straight games from weeks 3 to 6. He finished the season with six interceptions, tied for best in the league.
He ultimately helped lead the Seahawks to the playoffs the year after they traded away Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson.
After losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the wildcard round, Woolen came in third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Sauce Gardner and Aidan Hutchinson. He was also named a Pro Bowler, not an easy feat for a rookie.
Prior to his sophomore season, he was named the 76th best player in the NFL by his colleagues in the 2023 NFL Top 100 voting.
In his second season, Woolen finished with two interceptions compared to six his first year. However, he was still named the 91st best player prior to the 2024 NFL season.
In Week 1, the Seattle Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos (who have the next player we'll talk about) at 3:05 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
Josh Reynolds, Denver Broncos
John Jay High School Class of 2013
Possibly the most recognizable current player originally born in San Antonio, Josh Reynolds has been a solid wide receiver since he was drafted in 2017.
Reynolds attended John Jay High School, where he recorded 1,639 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns in his high school career, according to 24-7 Sports.
A 3-star recruit, Reynolds attended Tyler Junior College before joining Texas A&M in 2014.
At A&M, he was an instant contributor, as he had 13 receiving touchdowns his first year along with 842 yards.
In his three years total, he racked up 30 total touchdowns, including a 1,000-yard year as a senior. He made two All-SEC second teams in 2014 and 2016.
In the 2017 NFL Draft, Reynolds was drafted in the fourth round by the Los Angeles Rams with the 117th overall pick. He spent four years in L.A., his best season being in 2020, when he recorded 618 yards and two touchdowns. In total, he recorded 1,450 yards and nine touchdowns as a Ram.
He even appeared in Super Bowl 53, where he had three catches and 28 yards in a Rams loss.
He signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2021 before being waived shortly after, being picked up by the Detroit Lions, where he would spend the next three seasons.
In Detroit, he carved out a solid role as a third or fourth option. In his three years, he recorded 1,393 yards and 10 touchdowns, including an appearance in the 2023 NFC Championship game.
In 2024, he signed with the Denver Broncos on a two-year, $9 million deal, where he looks to be the second option at wide receiver behind Courtland Sutton.
In Week 1, the Denver Broncos take on Tariq Woolen and the Seattle Seahawks at 3:05 p.m. Sunday on CBS.
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Marcus Davenport, Detroit Lions
Stevens High School Class of 2014, UTSA Roadrunner from 2014-17
The Lions couldn't take not having a San Antonian on their roster, so when Reynolds left this offseason, they signed defensive end Marcus Davenport.
Well, maybe that wasn't the reason, as Davenport is a good player in his own right.
Born in San Antonio, Davenport attended Stevens High School.
He decided to stay in San Antonio and attend UTSA, where he became one of the best defensive players in Roadrunner history.
In 2017, his senior year, Davenport won C-USA Defensive Player of the Year after recording 8.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and one touchdown.
In total, he recorded 21.5 sacks, 186 total tackles and six forced fumbles in his Roadrunner career. This legendary college career helped him get named to the UTSA Sports Hall of Fame in 2023.
Davenport was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft at pick 14 to the New Orleans Saints.
Davenport spent five years in New Orleans, where he recorded 21.5 sacks, 149 combined tackles and one forced fumble as a Saint. His best year came in 2021, when he recorded nine sacks.
In 2023, Davenport signed with the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year, $13 million contract. He only played in four games, totaling two sacks, before suffering a high ankle sprain in Week 6, ending his season.
In 2024, following an injury-riddled season, Davenport hopes to have a bounce-back season for the reigning NFC North champion Detroit Lions, where he'll join a defense led by fellow defensive end Aidan Hutchinson.
In Week 1, the Detroit Lions will take on the Los Angeles Rams during Sunday Night Football at 7 p.m. on NBC.
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Spencer Burford, San Francisco 49ers
Wagner High School Class of 2018, UTSA Roadrunner from 2018-21
Another player who stayed in the Alamo City for college was offensive lineman Spencer Burford.
Burford attended Wagner High School on the northeast side. There he became a 4-star prospect out of high school before graduating in 2018.
Burford ultimately decided to stay home and attend UTSA.
At UTSA, he was named First-Team All-Conference USA in 2021 and second team in 2020, becoming one of the best offensive linemen in the conference.
This helped him get drafted in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, going on the 134th pick to the San Francisco 49ers. This was the same draft in which they selected current starting quarterback Brock Purdy with the very last pick.
In the NFL, Burford has started 30 games in his first two years, including an appearance in Super Bowl 58, in which he played about 60% of the snaps. Unfortunately, his 49ers lost to the Chiefs.
Burford will return to the 49ers this year, but he is listed as questionable with a hand injury for week 1 against the New York Jets. The game will be on Monday Night Football on ESPN at 7 p.m.
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Eric Banks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
UTSA Roadrunner from 2016-19
Originally from Memphis, defensive end Eric Banks decided to attend UTSA in 2016.
While in San Antonio, he finished his college career with 7.5 sacks, 20.5 tackles for loss and five forced fumbles in four years.
After going undrafted in 2020, Banks was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams.
Since then, he's bounced around the league from the Rams to the Chargers to the Lions to the Cardinals, only appearing in six games in his NFL career so far.
In January 2024, Banks signed with the defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a reserve/future contract with the team. However, he was waived on August 19.
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Elijah Garcia, New York Giants
Stevens High School Class of 2016
Defensive end Elijah Garcia attended Stevens High School in San Antonio, graduating in 2016.
After graduation, he attended Rice University, where he totaled 6.5 sacks in his five years of eligibility, including a senior year in which he boasted five sacks, being named to the All-Conference USA First Team in 2021.
After going undrafted in 2021, Garcia signed with Los Angeles Rams before being cut shortly after. He was then picked up by the Denver Broncos, where he would stay for two years. He played five regular season games for the team, recording one sack and one forced fumble. On August 27, 2024, Garcia was waived by the Broncos.
The next day, Garcia was signed to the New York Giants practice squad.
In Week 1, the New York Giants take on the Minnesota Vikings at noon Sunday on FOX.
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Ben Sims, Green Bay Packers
Clark High School Class of 2018
Tight end Ben Sims was born in San Antonio and attended Clark High School on the north side before graduating in 2018.
A 3-star prospect out of high school, Sims took his talents to Waco and attended Baylor University.
Sims became one of the best tight ends in Baylor history, boasting 12 receiving touchdowns in his career, the most ever by a Baylor tight end. In total, he recorded 785 yards and 78 receptions.
After going undrafted in 2023, Sims signed with the Minnesota Vikings before being waived.
Shortly after, Sims was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings' division rivals.
In his rookie season, Sims scored one touchdown against the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
In Week 1, the Green Bay Packers take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday on Peacock at 6 p.m.
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Ty Summers, New York Giants
Reagan High School Class of 2014
Born in San Antonio, Linebacker Ty Summers attended Reagan High School on the northeast side.
A quarterback in high school, Summers at first committed to Rice University before decommiting and signing with TCU as a linebacker.
From 2015-19, Summers recorded 319 total tackles along with 10.5 sacks for the Horned Frogs. In 2016, his 62 assisted tackles led the Big 12, en route to him being named to the All-Big 12 Conference Second Team.
Summers was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 226th overall pick. Summers was used primarily as a special teams player, and after three years, he was released in 2022.
Since then, he's bounced around the league on the Jaguars and Saints.
In August, he signed with the Detroit Lions alongside fellow San Antonian Marcus Davenport. On Aug. 27, he was released.
He's since signed with the New York Giants practice squad, where he'll join Elijah Garcia.
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DeMarvin Leal, Pittsburgh Steelers
Born in San Antonio
Born in San Antonio, defensive end DeMarvin Leal attended nearby Judson High School in Converse.
After graduating, Leal attended Texas A&M University before being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 84th overall pick.
In Pittsburgh, Leal has played 23 games and has one sack to his name.
In Week 1, the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at 12 p.m. on FOX.
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JT Woods, Philadelphia Eagles
Born in San Antonio
Born in San Antonio, safety JT Woods attended nearby Steele High School in Cibolo.
After graduating, Woods attended Baylor University before being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Chargers with the 79th overall pick (coincidentally five picks before DeMarvin Leal).
Since then, he's bounced around and is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad.
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Other players (Cibolo and Converse ties)
- Terence Steele, OT Dallas Cowboys
- Born in Cibolo and attended Steele High School. Went on to attend Texas Tech.
- He went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft, however, was signed by the Dallas Cowboys, where he's been a consistent starter for the past four seasons.
- He signed a three-year $86.8 million deal with the Cowboys in 2023.
- Jaylon Jones, CB Indianapolis Colts
- Jones attended Steele High School in Cibolo but was born in Jacksonville, Florida. Went on to attend Texas A&M.
- Was drafted by the Colts in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
- Caden Sterns, S free agent
- Sterns attended Steele High School in Cibolo but was born in Dallas. Went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin.
- Was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
- After injuries, has been cut by several teams.
- Tre Flowers, SS Jacksonville Jaguars
- Flowers was born in Converse and attended Judson High School. He went on to attend Oklahoma State, where he was a first-team All-Big 12 player.
- Was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
- He's since bounced around the league and is currently on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.
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Honorable Mention: Quinn Ewers, Texas Longhorns
Born in San Antonio
He may not be in the NFL yet, but the current starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns sure has his eyes set for the league.
Born in San Antonio, Ewers grew up in Southlake and went to Carroll High School.
Before enrolling at UT, he spent his redshirt freshman season at Ohio State. He then transferred to UT in 2021, where he became the starter his first year there.
He's thrown for 40 touchdowns and 5,916 yards in his career so far, including last week's game against Colorado State, in which he recorded 260 yards and three passing touchdowns.
Ewers is a Heisman candidate this year for the Longhorns and could be added to this illustrious list next year if he enters his name into the 2025 NFL Draft.
