DALLAS – Former Conference USA standouts made their presence felt across the National Football League during week one of the 2026 season, with 30-plus former CUSA players contributing on offense, defense and special teams.
 
Among the week's top performances, former Charlotte standout Alex Highsmith recorded two sacks, three tackles and two quarterback hits in Pittsburgh's 20-13 victory over Atlanta. Kicker Chris Boswell (Rice) added eight points for the Steelers, converting 2-3 field-goal attempts, including a 48-yarder, and both extra-point attempts.
 
Houston featured three former CUSA players in prominent roles in its 36-31 loss to Buffalo. Azeez Al-Shaair (Florida Atlantic) led the Texans with eight tackles, including five solo stops and a tackle for loss, while Reed Blankenship (MTSU) added seven tackles. Former MTSU offensive lineman Keylan Rutledge earned the highest PFF grade among Houston offensive linemen at 70.3, including a 69.9 run-blocking grade.
 
Green Bay’s Jonnu Smith (FIU) posted two receptions for 50 yards against Minnesota, including a 43-yard reception. On the other side, former UTEP standout Aaron Jones rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries for the Vikings, with his fourth-quarter touchdown giving Minnesota the lead for good in its 39-22 win. Defensive back James Pierre (Florida Atlantic) added four solo tackles, two pass deflections and an interception.
 
Former Florida Atlantic running back and 2026 Conference USA Hall of Fame inductee Devin Singletary contributed 38 total yards and a touchdown in the New York Giants' 28-20 victory over Dallas, catching four passes for 22 yards and a touchdown while adding 16 yards on six carries. His nine-yard touchdown reception put the Giants ahead 28-14 and proved to be the difference in the game.
 
Former New Mexico State standout Seth McGowan provided a spark for Indianapolis in the Colts' 41-23 loss to Baltimore, returning five kickoffs for 164 yards, the second-most in the league during the opening week. He averaged 32.8 yards per return, including a 66-yard return.
 
Washington’s Jaylin Lane (MTSU) totaled 148 return yards for the Commanders with 95 kickoff-return yards on three attempts and a league-high 53 punt-return yards on four attempts.
 
Former Louisiana Tech standout L'Jarius Sneed led Kansas City with eight tackles, including seven solo stops, in the Chiefs' 31-10 victory over Denver. Defensive lineman Milton Williams (LA Tech) recorded three tackles for New England, while Kevin Byard (MTSU) added five tackles in the Patriots' 13-10 loss to Seattle.
 
Special teams also featured several notable CUSA performances. Former Rice punter Jack Fox averaged 48.0 yards on seven punts for Detroit, totaling 336 yards with three punts inside the 20-yard line. Former Tulane kicker Cairo Santos scored 11 points for Chicago, making a 40-yard field goal and all eight extra-point attempts in the Bears' 59-37 win over Carolina.
 
Other former CUSA players making contributions in Week One included Louisiana Tech wide receiver Tre Harris, who recorded three receptions for 20 yards for the Los Angeles Chargers; MTSU defensive back Quincy Riley, who had three tackles and a pass deflection for New Orleans; Western Kentucky defensive back Upton Stout, who registered two solo tackles and a quarterback hit for San Francisco; New Mexico State running back Mike Washington Jr., who rushed for 41 yards on seven carries for Las Vegas; UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford, who played all 68 offensive snaps at left guard for the Raiders; and Louisiana Tech defensive back Amik Robertson, who recorded six tackles for Washington.
 
Click here for a complete list of the 82 former CUSA players featured on NFL rosters for the 2026 season.