BYU Football: All 24 former Cougars in the NFL

With the addition of 13 players to rosters over the past few weeks, BYU Football is now well represented in the NFL.

BYU Football hasn’t always been known for producing NFL talent. In fact, they haven’t really ever been known for it. Sure, some names jump off the page like Steve Young, Chad Lewis or even Taysom Hill, but for the most part, BYU and the NFL haven’t been in the same sentence.

That may be starting to change.

With the recent 13 additions to NFL rosters, BYU currently has more NFL players in the the league than they ever have. While all 13 may not end up making a final roster, as it currently stands, 24 former BYU Football players are on active rosters, representing 18 teams.

As a crazy side note, if all 24 players ended up making final rosters this year, BYU Football players would account for over 2% of the entire league.

Rookies

Zach Wilson – Wilson is absolutely going to be on the New York Jets roster this upcoming season unless Wilson decides that he would prefer to quit football, which according to him, “he is married to.”  Barring something absolutely absurd (minus an injury), Wilson will be the starting QB for the Jets.

Brady Christensen – Christensen was drafted in the Third Round of the NFL draft by the Carolina Panthers. This past season, the Panthers offensive line ranked 18th by Pro Football Focus which is slightly worse than average. Christensen should be secured a spot on the final roster, and is expected to start.

Khyiris Tonga –  Tonga was a Seventh Round pick by the Chicago Bears. Currently on ESPN he is listed as the backup and only other nose tackle behind Eddie Goldman. If the Bears don’t get another nose tackle, Tonga should remain on the active roster.

Chris Wilcox – Wilcox had a really impressive Pro Day and it led him to being picked up in the Seventh Round by the Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay. According to ESPN, Wilcox is the third string right cornerback which puts him in an uncomfortable spot. He may make the roster or practice squad solely off of his speed and athleticism.

Dax Milne- Milne was so close to being drafted “Mr. Irrevelent” but came up one short being also a Seventh Round pick. He was taken up by the Washington Football Team that has 11 other receivers on the current roster. Milne may have a difficult time staying on the active roster, but with his catching ability, he may find a spot either on a practice squad or another team. And who knows, sometimes the preseason allows for stars to emerge from nowhere (Taysom Hill).

Chandon Herring – Herring was picked up by the Tennessee Titans as an UFA (Undrafted Free Agent). Herring is not currently on the depth chart for the Titans which means he will have to beat out someone on the offensive line if he hopes to stay in Tennessee.

Tristen Hoge – Hoge is hoping to continue to play with Wilson as he also was signed as an UFA for the Jets. He currently is listed as the fourth string right tackle which is concerning, however with a new staff and one of the worst offensive lines in recent NFL history, the door is wide open for Hoge to make the final roster.

Matt Bushman – Injuries probably prevented Bushman from being drafted, but he still got an UFA deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.  Either the Raiders are really looking for a tight end, or Bushman is in a tough situation with three other tight ends on the roster. Either way, “honey hands” will probably find a spot somewhere as a good goal line/4th down tight end receiving option.

Troy Warner – The San Diego, I mean Los Angeles Chargers picked up Troy Warner on a UFA and is not currently listed on ESPN’s four deep depth chart. Warner may seem like a bit of a long shot but he has two things going for him, both in the area. His brother Fred who is arguably the best linebacker in the NFL right now, and Michael Davis, a player who also came from BYU and has over performed. Will those two things get him on a final roster, likely not. Can they get him an extra look and opportunity, maybe?

Zayne Anderson – Talk about a tough position. Anderson is currently fighting for a spot as an UFA against Tyrann Mathieu and former BYU safety Daniel Sorensen, both a bit older, but very good and valuable to the Kansas City Chiefs. Anderson’s saving grace may be Head Coach Andy Reid who may keep him around as a practice squad player until either Mathieu or Sorensen retires.

Isaiah Kaufusi – If you didn’t know that Isaiah was a senior before the draft you weren’t alone. Actually I did, but it felt like he was a Junior for some reason. Kaufusi was also signed as an UFA to the Colts.  He will have a challenge to make the final roster for the Colts. His size and speed are in his favor, and he does have two brothers in the league, but it is an uphill battle for him going into Spring Camp.

Zac Dawe – Dawe signed an UFA with the Atlanta Falcons and like so many of the other UFA he is going to have to make a big impact if he hopes to make a final roster. Maybe he can throw another shoe to get some attention. In all seriousness, what Dawe brings to the table is work ethic. Not to say that the other players don’t possess a work ethic, but of all the players to make it to this point, Dawe seems to have had the toughest path, yet here he is.

Micah Simon – I think he still counts as rookie, right? Simon got invited out to mini-camps and workouts before this year, but was never signed to a team. After an impressive Pro Day (he never got one due to Covid) Simon was signed almost immediately to the Carolina Panthers on a 3-year deal. Although he is currently listed as a fourth stringer, his contract makes things interesting. Also, he has already defied the odds once, so why not one more time by making the final roster?