DALLAS – Former Conference USA standouts continued to make their mark across the National Football League during week two of the 2026 season, with players from current and former CUSA members contributing throughout the league.
 
Rookie cornerback Hezekiah Masses (FIU) turned in one of the week's top defensive performances for the Las Vegas Raiders, recording five tackles, including four solo stops, along with a tackle for loss and two interceptions in a 26-14 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. His second pick of the day virtually iced the game with a 10-point lead and 2:29 to play.
 
Additional defensive gems included Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair (Florida Atlantic) posting a double-digit tackle performance, recording 12 tackles, including six solo stops, for the Texans against Cincinnati. Former Charlotte standout Alex Highsmith continued his strong start to the season for Pittsburgh, recording three tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hits and a pass deflection against New England.
 
Kansas City’s L’Jarius Sneed (LA Tech) added seven tackles and a pass deflection during the Chiefs’ overtime triumph over Indianapolis. Former WKU standout Upton Stout recorded an all-around defensive performance for San Francisco, totaling five tackles, a half-sack, a tackle for loss, a pass deflection and a quarterback hit in the 49ers' 35-13 victory over Miami.
 
Former MTSU standout Reed Blankenship added five tackles, three solo stops and a quarterback hit for Houston, while former FAU standout Trey Hendrickson recorded three solo tackles and a sack for Baltimore. Philadelphia’s Riq Woolen (UTSA) posted three solo tackles and a pass deflection in the Eagles’ win over Tennessee.
 
On the offensive side, former UTEP standout Aaron Jones eclipsed the 100-yard mark for Minnesota, rushing 23 times for 105 yards in the Vikings' 9-3 victory over Chicago. Los Angeles Chargers wideout Tre’ Harris (LA Tech) provided a significant impact play, traveling 32 yards after the catch for a 53-yard pass to set up a Chargers touchdown. Former UTSA offensive lineman Spencer Burford started all 63 snaps at left guard for Las Vegas and allowed just one pressure on 33 dropbacks.
 
Special teams remained a major source of production for former CUSA players. Former MTSU standout Jaylin Lane totaled 134 return yards for Washington, recording 120 yards on six kickoff returns and 14 yards on one punt return. Cleveland’s Malachi Corley (WKU) added 93 kickoff-return yards on four attempts for Cleveland, while former New Mexico State standout Seth McGowan totaled 58 yards on two kickoff returns for Indianapolis. Detroit’s Jack Fox (Rice) averaged 51.5 yards on four punts for Detroit, including a 62-yard long and one punt inside the 20-yard line.
 
Other former CUSA players making contributions in week two included former LA Tech defensive back Amik Robertson, who recorded five solo tackles and two pass deflections for Washington; former FAU defensive back James Pierre, who had two solo tackles and a pass deflection for Minnesota and former FIU defensive lineman Teair Tart, who registered two tackles, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits for the Los Angeles Chargers.
 
Click here for a complete list of the 82 former CUSA players featured on NFL rosters for the 2026 season.