The pipeline from Provo to the pros is strong, with 16 former BYU Cougars currently on NFL rosters. Here's how each of them performed in Week 1.
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 10 carries, 24 yards
The good news for the fourth-year stud is he got double digit carries, toting the rock 10 times. The bad news is he only registered 24 yards, but he actually averaged more yards per carry than Bijan Robinson's 12 carries for 24 yards.
Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers
1 rush, 1 yard; 1 reception, 2 yards; 3 special teams tackles
Brooks kicked off his third NFL season reprising his reserve role on offense with one rush and one reception. He also made an impact on special teams with three assisted tackles on kick coverage, doing his part in a convincing 27-13 victory over the Detroit Lions.
Brady Christensen, OL, Carolina Panthers
Stats: Played on special teams
The versatile fifth-year pro is a backup on the Panthers offensive line. Despite starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu missing the game for Carolina, the team elected to go with Yosh Nijman over Christensen, a dubious decision by the Panthers brain trust. Brady did get some special teams snaps, though. Carolina looked awful at times in a 26-10 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Stats: 10 receptions (11 targets), 130 yards, 1 TD; 1 rush, 1 yard
BYU fans and Rams fans experienced a sense of dread when Puka suffered a bloody head injury on Los Angeles's first possession and had to get evaluated by the medical staff. Fortunately, he was able to quickly return and went on to do Puka things with 10 receptions on 11 targets for 130 yards and a touchdown in a 14-9 Rams victory over the Houston Texans. He's a beast.
Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals
Stats: 6 punts, 52.7 yards per punt, 62-yard long
Rehkow kicked off his sophomore season (pun intended) with a bang! The former BYU great had six punts averaging a whopping 52.7 yards per punt with a long of 62. What a great start to the season for Rehkow.
Kingsley Suamataia, OG, Kansas City Chiefs
Stats: Started and played entire game
As a rookie second round pick last year, Kingsley struggled at left tackle. He started last year early on but was quickly moved to the bench. This year he has made the transition from tackle to guard and based on his performance on Thursday Night Football, the move looks inspired. Suamataia started Week 1 at left guard, played the entire game, and played quite well.
Kingsley Suamataia (left guard, No. 76) driving his man five yards off the ball in run blocking. The BYU star is looking good at his new position. pic.twitter.com/4nMKUlAt7J
— Diggin’ Brigham (@DigginBrigham) September 6, 2025
Khyiris Tonga, DL, New England Patriots
Stats: 3 tackles, 1 QB hit
Entering his fifth NFL season, the veteran journeyman had a strong debut in his first game with the New England Patriots. In a 20-13 loss, Tonga had three tackles and a quarterback hit, which are impressive stats for a nose tackle.
Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Baltimore Ravens
Coming off a Pro Bowl season last year, Van Noy began his 2025 campaign on Sunday Night Football in a thrilling primetime loss against the Buffalo Bills. The 12th year veteran recorded three tackles and a quarterback hit on Josh Allen. Van Noy didn't register a sack in this one, but he was consistently pressuring the Bills quarterback.
Kyle Van Noy smartly goes airborne to stuff Josh Allen at the goal line. The veteran BYU star is getting it done for the Ravens against the Bills on Sunday Night Football. pic.twitter.com/98EryVl5tF
— Diggin’ Brigham (@DigginBrigham) September 8, 2025
Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers
The near perennial All-Pro led the 49ers with eight tackles, including a tackle for loss, in a 17-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks. He briefly left the game in the first half with an injury, but he quickly returned and finished the game.
Zach Wilson, QB, Miami Dolphins
In an extremely interesting turn of events, the Dolphins benched starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa late in the game in a deflating 33-8 loss in favor of Zach Wilson. Tua had three early turnovers with two interceptions and a lost fumble. Tagovailoa went 14-of-23 for just 114 yards.
Meanwhile, in just one final possession, Zach Wilson went 5-of-8 for 32 yards and picked up three yards on one rush. Some pundits are now calling for the Dolphins to bench Tua in favor of Wilson, but it's highly unlikely Miami would make a quarterback switch after one bad game. This is a fluid situation, though, and one BYU fans should be closely monitoring.
Did not play
Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers (injured)
Tyler Batty, DE, Minnesota Vikings (injured reserve)
Blake Freeland, OT, Indianapolis Colts (injured reserve)
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints (PUP list)
Jakob Robinson, CB, San Francisco 49ers (injured reserve)
Kedon Slovis, QB, Arizona Cardinals (practice squad)