The NFL season is upon us this week, starting with a Super Bowl rematch of the Seattle Seahawks vs New England Patriots Wednesday night. Let’s take a look at several Aztecs who have been floating around the league and may find themselves on NFL team rosters.
Miami Dolphins
DJ Herman – FB/RB Active Roster
DJ Herman was a linebacker for our Aztecs but he was also a team captain. He must really have some leadership traits that carried over because he is a fullback down in South Beach Miami now baby.
Herman always had the physical size and energy to contribute, but creating a niche for himself in the NFL is an absolute dream story. The local media in Dolphin country love the story he brings with him from SDSU and hopefully we’ll get to see some packages or at least some special teams run on Sundays.
Either way it’s a proud position he holds with coach Lewis beaming with joy as he details an phone exchange the two have had since making the Miami roster. What does making the 53-man mean for DJ as told to Lewis? It means he gets more work. That’s the AztecFast mentality in real life.
Chris Johnson – CB/NB Active Roster
Johnson the freshman to senior cornerback for SDSU is the epitome of how a guy can put his nose down, work on his craft and achieve his goals at a G5 program. Johnson truly trusted the process and then positioned himself for a huge senior season and was rewarded by getting drafted as a 1st round pick.
It is possible.
The Dolphins have been making some early highlight/social media shorts in his time already in Miami. Designated as the NB or nickelback, he will be covering slot receivers in passing situations.
Though the Dolphins run a base 4-3 defensive formation, the scheme shifts away from traditional looks to multiple fronts. That should bring in flexible safety packages very often, like the Big Nickel. The Dolphins open the season on the road in Las Vegas against the Raiders.
Atlanta Falcons
Cam Thomas – DE Active Roster
One of the most prolific sack masters for San Diego State, Cam Thomas is coming into his sixth season in the league. Time flies. Thomas spent the 2025 season with the Cleveland Browns as a key rotational player behind Myles Garrett, appearing in all 17 regular-season games.
In 2026 he signed with the Falcons to give their pass rush a boost as a rotational piece to their edges unit. Exciting times for the 6’4″ 265 defender who is primed to make an impact in the NFC South.
Keshawn Banks – DE Injured Reserve
Banks also a standout pass rusher alongside Cam Thomas in their days at SDSU is on the Falcons. After a breakout season in the UFL with the Orlando Storm Banks made some noise and was signed to the Flacons. But after an undisclosed injurty sidelined him.
Because he was placed on IR before the regular season began, he remains under contract with the Falcons but is technically sidelined. According to NFL rules, he must spend the entire 2026 regular season on Atlanta’s IR unless he and the team agree to a monetary injury settlement. Then that would release him to sign and play with elsewhere.
Kansas City Chiefs
Matt Araiza – Punter Active Roster
Araiza remains Kansas City’s punter but he will alaways be our ‘Punt God’. Araiza is entering his third season with the Chiefs. In 2025, Araiza had a solid season net averaging around 47 yards per punt and avoided having any attempts blocked.
Though he improved in consistency and control his PFF ranked middle of the pack. So while he has the booming leg there’s room for improvement. Of course its all the intangibles of tackling and the booming distance that help make him such an asset once again this year.
Cooper McDonald – LB Active Roster
McDonald played at Washington in 2020–21, but transferred to San Diego State for 2022–23. After SDSU coach Brady Hoke stepped down in retirement, McDonald then transferred to TCU for 2024.
Kansas City signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2025, and the Chiefs’ current 2026 roster lists him as No. 44, linebacker, and the starting strong side SAM linebacker this season.
Buffalo Bills
Tyrell Shavers – WR Injured Reserve
Tyrell Shavers was a big target for the Aztecs in his senior season and owns the first ever SDSU touchdown score in Snapdragon Stadium history. He began to make some big strides into the wideout rotation for the Josh Allen led Bills offense last season.
However, in the Wild Card Round of the players last season, Shavers suffered a torn ACL in the second quarter during a punt return. Surprisingly, he would get back in somehow and play 21-snaps on offense during the second half, despite the injury.
This year he remains in his quest to return to the field and the Bills.
Tennessee Titans
Daniel Bellinger – Tight End Active Roster
Big Dan Bellinger was a beast in his time on the Mesa. He has consistently improved in the NFL, first with the New York Giants and now making a switch to go play for the Tennessee Titans in the off season.
His big physical frame and pass catching hands and speed allow him to be an increasingly interesting asset to the league. If he can make the most with being versatile alongside and behind Gunnar Helm, the Titans Tight End unit could be something not to be messed with.
Las Vegas Raiders
Segun Olubi – LB Active Roster
Segun Olubi wowed in his time for the Aztecs as a sideline to sideline versatile defender who could fly to the ball. Now he’s a Raider, but earlier in his career he spent the majority of the time with the Indianapolis Colts.
This off season Olubi was cut by the Silver & Black. But just one day later, the Raiders officially re-signed him to the active roster after clearing space for him. According to the official depth chart Olubi is ready to go for the Raiders.
Minnesota Vikings
Bryce Phillips – CB Practice Squad
Bryce spent the majority of the fall camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. Just before final cuts Phillips was part of that group. But the talented rookie will be getting valuable experience and making a difference on the practice squad for the Kevin O’Connell coached Minnesota Vikings.
Another name to watch for in this early part of the season is veteran OL Daniel Brunskill. The versatile big man was last on the Washington Commanders roster but was released this camp. At 6’5″ 300 lbs and can play all line positions, don’t be surprised to see him picked up elsewhere during the year.
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