Hart High grads Matt Moore and Tim White entered Thursday’s NFL preseason game between the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins in two entirely different situations.
In early August, 10-year NFL vet Moore was readying to be the starting quarterback for the Dolphins. But the team signed Jay Cutler to a one-year deal instead, and Moore resumed his role as a reliable backup once again.
Cutler played for two drives in the 31-7 loss to the Ravens, completing three of six passes for 24 yards before Moore was brought in. He completed three of five passes for 11 yards.
White, who also played at College of the Canyons, was making his second-ever NFL appearance.
He had a first impression to live up to. In the previous preseason game against the Redskins, he caught a 33-yard touchdown pass. It was his only reception of the game.
He didn’t have a catch Thursday.
“Extremely, extremely proud of that guy,” said Valencia grad Jay Jay Wilson, who was also White’s teammate at ASU. “…Seeing him playing at Hart and then getting here and growing … and now seeing him accomplish everything he’s done and what he’s doing right now, I’m just excited for him. I’m glad to see him pursuing his dreams and doing his thing.”
Here’s a look at some more SCV football products in the NFL:
Karim Barton, Buffalo Bills (COC)
The Tennessee Titans placed Barton, an offensive lineman, on waivers in early June before he was picked up by the Bills.
But after three seasons in the league, Barton is exploring options for after football. He’s been a poster child for the NFL Players Association Externship program and interned at Under Armour, Fanatics and Mattress Firm.
“I’m just trying to find that one passion other than football,” Barton told nbcnews.com.
Most recently, though, he took a trip to Capitol Hill to shadow Rep. Yvette D. Clark.
“I think this level of exposure has been feeding something within him in terms of being a humanitarian,” Clarke said in an interview with nbcnews.com. “He has the aptitude for diplomacy and he could be a diplomat one day.”
Domata Peko, Denver Broncos (COC)
After 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Peko signed a two-year contract with the Denver Broncos on March 11.
Last year with the Bengals, the 32-year-old defensive tackle had 37 total tackles, with 17 of the solo variety. He started in 16 games for the team.
Jason Pierre-Paul, New York Giants (COC)
Pierre-Paul is entering his eighth season with the Giants as a defensive end after signing a four-year deal this offseason.
In the 2016 season, he started in 12 games for the Giants and tallied 53 tackles, seven sacks and forced three fumbles, but missed the final four games due to sports hernia and abdominal surgery.
JPP and the Giants next play the Cleveland Browns on Monday.
Mychal Rivera, Jacksonville Jaguars (COC)
The tight end is getting a fresh start with the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending the past four years with the Oakland Raiders.
He signed with the Jags on March 22, and The Florida Times-Union reported that he has been and “will continue to see starter-level snaps in team drills,” but it’s unclear what position Rivera will settle into.
“I’ve played out wide, three-point stance, slot receiver, fullback,” Rivera told the Times-Union. “They’ve used me everywhere. That’s the ability I have – to go all over the field and create mismatches.”
With the Raiders last season, Rivera caught 18 passes for 192 yards and one touchdown.
Tedric Thompson, Seattle Seahawks (Valencia)
Thompson was a fourth-round pick by the Seahawks in this year’s NFL Draft and played in his first pro game on Aug. 14 against the Chargers.
He’s one of four defensive backs drafted by Seattle, and he’s been working to improve under greats like Earl Thomas since mini-camp.
“I kind of got that feeling of starting all over again,” Thompson told The Signal in June. “Basically a freshman in college trying to learn from the older guys and trying to learn from the vets.”
Shane Vereen, New York Giants (Valencia)
In his third year with the Giants and seventh overall in the NFL, Vereen missed most of last season due to a triceps injury and is overcoming a lower-leg injury to start this season.
However, you can expect him to fill a crucial spot as a passing-down back.
Vereen played eight snaps in the Giants’ loss to the Steelers last Friday.
