What a start to the NFL season it was for St. Thomas Aquinas alumni, as former Raiders made their presence felt across the league in Week One. From highlight-reel defensive plays to key offensive contributions, STA’s tradition of excellence was on full display.
Jordan Battle (Cincinnati Bengals) had a monster performance on defense, racking up 12 total tackles and securing an interception, showing his versatility and poise in the secondary.
Nik Bonitto (Denver Broncos) picked up right where he left off, recording a sack and three tackles, continuing to emerge as one of Denver’s young defensive playmakers.
The Bosa brothers both made big impacts for their respective teams. Nick Bosa (San Francisco 49ers) delivered a complete performance with one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and six tackles, while Joey Bosa (Buffalo Bills) forced a fumble and added two tackles in his debut season with Buffalo.
On the offensive side, several former Raiders contributed to their teams’ Week One efforts. Elijah Moore (Buffalo Bills) caught a pass and rushed for a combined 11 total yards, while teammate Josh Palmer was a steady target, hauling in five receptions for 61 yards.
In New York, Mason Taylor (Jets) made his NFL debut with a catch for 20 yards, showing early flashes of his potential at tight end.
Up front, Tyler Steen (Philadelphia Eagles) earned the start at right guard, helping anchor the offensive line in a strong showing for Philadelphia’s run game.
Meanwhile, Dallas Turner (Minnesota Vikings) began his rookie campaign with three tackles, showing the speed and edge presence that made him one of the most highly touted defensive rookies in this year’s class.
From rookies making debuts to veterans continuing their dominance, Raider Nation was represented in full force during the NFL’s opening weekend. The tradition at St. Thomas Aquinas continues to stretch far beyond Fort Lauderdale—straight into the heart of the NFL spotlight.
