MOSCOW, Idaho – While the best years of their lives may have been in Moscow, many of your favorite Vandals have moved on to great things in the world of sports and otherwise. GoVandals.com will be celebrating those Vandals with a new weekly segment, Vandals in the Pros.
 
The first edition will focus on the conclusion of the National Football League (NFL) regular season. Five Vandals suited up in 2020, with one other right at the doorstep for his NFL breakthrough in 2021.
 
Benson Mayowa had a tremendous season in his return to the Seattle Seahawks. He started nine games and appeared in 13, making 24 total tackles on the season. Mayowa forced a pair of fumbles, recovering one, and also picked up six sacks on the year.
 
Fellow Vandal Mike Iupati started 10 games for the Seahawks this season, battling injuries throughout the year. The Seahawks went 8-2 in games that Iupati played. Seattle finished the season at 12-4 to earn the No. 3 seed in the NFC. The Seahawks will open the playoffs against division rival Los Angeles Rams on Saturday at 1:40 p.m. PST.
 
Kaden Elliss saw time in 15 games for the New Orleans Saints in his second season in the league. He recorded five total tackles on the season, playing mostly special teams. Elliss and the Saints finished the regular season at 12-4, earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will open the playoffs against the Chicago Bears at 1:40 p.m. PST on Sunday.
 
Jesse Davis started 15 games for the Miami Dolphins and missed just 14 offensive snaps on the entire season. Davis and Miami finished the season at 10-6 and narrowly missed out on a Wild Card spot.
 
Elijhaa Penny appeared in 14 games for the New York Giants in 2020, increasing his role with the team as the season progressed. Penny, primarily used in pass protection, had six rushes for 15 yards and two catches for 20 yards. Of his eight offensive touches, five went for first downs. Penny also mixed it up on special teams and recorded seven tackles on the year. The Giants were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17.
 
Jeff Cotton signed on with the Los Angeles Chargers as a rookie and competed as a member of the practice squad in 2020.
 
Vandals are making splashes across the wide world of sports. Each week, GoVandals.com will take a look at different professional Vandals from across the sporting world. If there are any Vandals from the past that you feel should be recognized please reach out with any information.
 
- Mikayla Ferenz ('19) - Women's Basketball - Joins Whitman coaching staff
- Maren Austgulen ('15) - Women's Basketball - Averaging 10.6 ppg and 5.9 rpg for Ulriken in Norway
- Taylor Pierce ('19) - Women's Basketball - Plays for the Ringwood Hawks in Australia 
- Trevon Allen ('20) - Men's Basketball - Averaging 18.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.5 spg for Polpharma Starogard Gdanski in Poland
- Marvin Jefferson ('10) - Men's Basketball - Averaging 12.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.5 bpg for Akhisar Beledye in Turkey
- Kyle Barone ('13) - Men's Basketball - Playing for Tokyo Z in Japan
- Brayon Blake ('18) - Men's Basketball - Averaging 20.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.9 spg for Sigortam.net in Turkey
- Victor Sanders ('18) - Men's Basketball - Averaging 10.4 ppg, 1.6 apg, 1.3 spg for Trento in Italy
- Arkadiy Mkrtychyan ('18) - Men's Basketball - Averaging 15.9 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.4 spg for Mad Foxes in Armenia