Pro Bruin Rundown: Abby Dahlkemper joins Manchester City, George Paton named Broncos general manager

This post was updated Jan. 18 at 6:16 p.m.

As college sports continue to be pushed back because of the COVID-19 pandemic, professional leagues have restarted. Each Monday, Daily Bruin Sports will highlight a few standout alumni performances from the past week in ongoing leagues as we await the return of university athletics.

George Paton, Denver Broncos; Scott Fitterer, Carolina Panthers, NFL

Two of the 32 general managers in the NFL are now Bruins.

George Paton is now the general manager for the Denver Broncos, while Scott Fitterer will take over the same position for the Carolina Panthers.

Prior to joining the Broncos’ front office, Paton was a part of the Minnesota Vikings’ organization for 14 years. Originally hired as director of player personnel, he became the assistant general manager in 2012 before becoming the vice president of player personnel later in 2018.

Paton – a defensive back for UCLA from 1988 to 1991 – was a member of two bowl teams in 1989 and 1991.

While Paton was originally a walk-on, by his final year he earned a scholarship and was known as one of the hardest workers on the team. His former collegiate assistant coach Bill Rees offered him his first NFL job.

Fitterer joined UCLA football one year after Paton’s graduation and played for the Bruins from 1992 to 1994. A two-sport athlete, Fitterer was both a backup quarterback on the gridiron and relief pitcher for UCLA baseball.

Fitterer began his front office career with the New York Giants as a scout after a brief stint in the MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2001, he joined the Seattle Seahawks, where he stayed until taking the job in North Carolina.

Working in the college scouting department, Fitterer would eventually become college scouting director, then co-director of player personnel. He was instrumental in drafting quarterback Russell Wilson, defensive back Richard Sherman and wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, among other players on the Pro Bowl roster.

Kenny Clark, Krys Barnes, Green Bay Packers, NFL

Two former Bruins helped hold down an opposing offense in the NFC Divisional Round.

Defensive lineman Kenny Clark sacked Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff 1.5 times in Saturday’s matchup as the Packers ultimately secured a 32-18 win over the Rams and a spot in the NFC Championship Game.

Clark, in Westwood from 2013 to 2015, had 29 consecutive starts, 164 tackles and six sacks over his collegiate career.

Recent UCLA graduate and linebacker Krys Barnes led the Packers with 10 tackles – seven solo – and a pass breakup. He left the field with a thumb injury early in the first quarter, but later returned and continued to play the rest of the game.

Receiving his diploma as part of the class of 2020, Barnes went without being drafted after posting a career 212 tackles from 2016 to 2019 as a Bruin. Only hours after the draft, Barnes signed with the Packers.

Abby Dahlkemper, Manchester City, FA WSL

Abby Dahlkemper became the latest Bruin to join a club overseas.

The defender and World Cup champion signed a 2.5 year deal with Manchester City and will join former UCLA teammate Sam Mewis in England.

Previously, Dahlkemper was in the National Women’s Soccer League for six seasons – two with the Western New York Flash and the final four with the North Carolina Courage. Dahlkemper won two NWSL titles with the Courage and the World Cup with the U.S. Women’s National Team in 2019.

As a Bruin from 2011 to 2014, she earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America honors and was named Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year her senior season. That year, UCLA’s defense let in six goals, tied for least allowed in school history.