Making it

Making it to the National Football League is the dream of many high school football players. But the reality is very few do. Fifteen Utah prep athletes — from 15 different high schools — currently dot NFL rosters. Most went to large high schools, though not all of them. Ten attended in-state universities, while five went on to play college ball elsewhere. Several are NFL starters with their teams. Others are just hoping to climb the depth chart.

Kevin Curtis

Hometown: South Jordan

High school: Bingham

Year graduated: 1996

Tale of the tape: Then: 5'11" 150; Now: 5'11" 185

Position: wide receiver Years pro: 3

Team: St. Louis Rams

Memorable moment: Playing on a mediocre team that knocked off highly ranked Brighton in a first-round state playoff game.

Inspiration: "Whatever I tried to do, I had to put all my effort into it. I just wanted to be the best player I could be . . . I had to go out and make things happen, because nothing was ever given to me."

After football: Not sure

Chalk talk: "Just believe in yourself. I just think half of it is confidence, feeling like you can. If you don't believe in yourself, you've already lost the battle right there."

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Reno Mahe

Hometown: Sandy

High school: Brighton

Year graduated: 1998

Tale of the tape: Then: 5'8" 180; Now: 5'10" 212

Position: running back

Years pro: 3

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Memorable moment: Scoring four touchdowns in a win over Alta when both teams were ranked No. 1 in the two Salt Lake papers.

Inspiration: "For me, dude, it's all about beating the odds, man."

After football: Coach and teach high school