DALLAS – Former Conference USA players made their mark across the NFL in week eight, highlighted by former MTSU standout Kevin Byard’s fourth-quarter interception that helped spark a Patriots win and efforts by Devon Key (WKU) and Amik Robertson (LA Tech) in their respective team’s wins.
 
Byard recorded seven tackles, four solo stops and a pass deflection in New England’s 24-19 win over Miami. His interception in the fourth quarter helped set up a touchdown drive as the Patriots secured the victory.
 
Key led Denver with eight tackles, five solo stops, a tackle for loss and a pass deflection in the Broncos’ 28-24 win over Kansas City. Robertson recorded six tackles, three solo stops and a tackle for loss in Washington’s 27-10 win over Philadelphia. He earned the second-highest PFF defensive grade on the team (78.4).
 
Former Florida Atlantic standout James Pierre recorded two tackles, a pass deflection and an interception in Minnesota’s 19-15 loss to Detroit. Fellow former Owl Trey Hendrickson generated five pressures and recorded four tackles, two solo stops and a quarterback hit in Baltimore’s 36-10 loss to Buffalo.
 
Elijah Garcia (Rice) also delivered a disruptive performance for Dallas, recording six tackles, two quarterback hits and three total pressures in the Cowboys’ 33-30 overtime loss to Arizona. New England’s Milton Williams (LA Tech) added four tackles and generated three pressures for the Patriots defense.
 
Former UTSA standout Spencer Burford (UTSA) turned in a strong performance along the Raiders’ offensive line in a 38-33 win over the Jets. He earned the highest PFF offensive line grade on the team (77.4), including the top run-blocking grade (72.5) and second-best pass-blocking grade (80.0). Burford did not allow a pressure or commit a penalty.
 
A few former New Mexico State stars enjoyed successful offensive outings. Las Vegas’ Mike Washington Jr. led the Raiders with 25 carries for 83 yards in their 38-33 win over the Jets. Indianapolis’ Seth McGowan added five carries for 29 yards and four kick returns for 103 yards in the Colts’ loss to Jacksonville. Philadelphia’s Eli Stowers caught three passes for 53 yards in the Eagles’ loss to Washington.
 
Other former CUSA players in action included Rasheen Ali (Marshall), who returned five kicks for 147 yards, including a long of 59 yards, and added two carries for five yards; Aaron Jones Sr. (UTEP), who totaled 40 yards from scrimmage; Jack Fox (Rice), who averaged 46.5 yards on four punts, including three inside the 20; Chris Boswell (Rice), who scored nine points on two field goals and three extra points and Cairo Santos (Tulane), who scored 10 points on two field goals and four extra points.
 
Click here for a complete list of the 81 former CUSA players featured on NFL rosters for the 2026 season.