Brighton’s football class of 2022 was particularly prolific in preparing student-athletes to continue on to play at the collegiate levels. This season, as the class of 2022 completes four years of post-high school competition, a Brighton “full-circle” moment occurred. Not unlike navigating the formerly concentric halls of Brighton, different and opposing directions often meet up in the long run.

Lander Barton as Utes captain playing Allegiant Stadium in the Las Vegas Bowl. (Jerry Christensen/City Journals)

The grand New Year’s Eve Las Vegas Bowl pitted the University of Utah against the storied Nebraska Cornhuskers on the field where the NFL Raiders play—Allegiant Stadium. Taking the field on opposite sides were two 2022 Brighton standouts: No. 8 Lander Barton at Utah and No. 75 Tyler Knaak with Nebraska. “I had broken my hand in practice in the week leading up to the bowl game, but I told my coaches and trainers that there was no way I wasn’t going to play against the Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl,” said Knaak, who anchors the offensive line at 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds. Knaak was signed by Utah where he redshirted for 2022. He had 14 college offers and the Cornhuskers had what he was looking for in coaching and overall program for his position. 

Across the line playing defense for Utah was his former Brighton teammate Barton, a captain with the Utes. Christine Yee, an English teacher at Brighton who taught both Barton and Knaak, remembers, “I have always known Lander to be a disciplined athlete. I have not been surprised at all at how well he’s done. I’m proud of him most for maintaining who he is under the spotlight. Nebraska has been great for Tyler—he has become a better person. I have Tyler come back and speak to my class of seniors. He tells them of his decision to transfer and how you can’t take anything for granted.”

Tyler Knaak anchors the offensive line for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. (Photo courtesy Jenny Knaak)

Knaak’s Huskers seemed to score at will in the first quarter of the bowl game. Barton’s Utes defense finally dialed in and made scoring more difficult for Nebraska and Utah ended up hoisting the trophy. Knaak and Barton exchanged a few memories on the field before they were circled by friends and family who had come to celebrate in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve. Mikki Barton, Lander’s mother, said, “It was fun knowing there were two high school teammates on the field together. We were watching Knaak and cheering him on. Maybe they will see each other in the future on an NFL field.”

Knaak graduated in 2025 but because of his Utah redshirt year, he has another year of eligibility and will return to Lincoln for the 2026 season. He will take post graduate classes to build his academic resume. Barton’s next step is the NFL combine where he hopes to join his two brothers, Cody and Jackson in the NFL ranks. 

Mason Brinkman coached both Barton and Knaak at Brighton. “It was a lot of fun to watch Lander and Knaak play against each other on that stage. I felt a lot of pride and excitement. They have grown into fantastic football players and live their lives as positive influences for the younger generation,” Brinkman said. Coach Brinkman was also instrumental in coaching Knaak as a premier state heavyweight wrestler at Brighton.

Barton was a three-sport athlete at Brighton running track, playing basketball and football.  Brighton track/football coach Kirk Merhish said, “It’s a privilege to have the rare opportunity to  be part of the development of young men and work with athletes such as these who not only have genetic talent but also have the determination and work ethic to reach the level that these former Bengals have. That class of 2022 produced not only Barton and Knaak, but the team produced Cole Casto who played for Weber State and Kabe Merhish who played for Fort Lewis college. Jacob Reese was also signed with Arizona from that region championship team.”

No. 8 Lander Barton with Utah and No. 75 Tyler Knaak with Nebraska compete during the Las Vegas Bowl. (Jerry Christensen/City Journals)