BYU Players in the NFL: Puka Nacua makes history (again) while Brady Christensen is a road grader in Week 5

Puka Nacua enters the NFL record books again for the Rams, Fred Warner dominates for the 49ers, Kyle Van Noy returns for the Ravens, and Brady Christensen is the unsung MVP for the Carolina Panthers.
Cleveland Browns v Carolina Panthers
Cleveland Browns v Carolina Panthers | Jared C. Tilton/GettyImages

The pipeline from Provo to the pros is strong with 17 former BYU Cougars currently on NFL rosters. Here's how each of them performed in Week 5.

Brady Christensen, OG, Carolina Panthers

Stats: Started at right guard and DOMINATED!

Brady Christensen was pressed into service last week when the Panthers offensive line suffered injuries and played extremely well. PFF graded him as the No. 2 guard in the NFL coming into Week 5. Brady got the start in Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins and legitimately dominated the entire game. Running back Rico Dowdle ran for 206 yards with most of it coming through holes opened by Brady Christensen on the right side of the line.

I live in North Carolina and am a die-hard Panthers fan and also write for a Panthers site. I watch Brady Christensen closely, and he has been phenomenal when played this year. He was the MVP in the Panthers victory this week, in my humble opinion.

Taysom Hill, QB/HB/TE, New Orleans Saints

Stats: 6 carries, -1 yards; 1-of-1 passing, 19 yards

Huzzah! Taysom Hill is back, everybody! After tearing his ACL last December the do-it-all difference maker made his 2025 debut this week. The Saints were 0-4 coming into this game and they relied heavily on Taysom in his first game back with six carries. Now, he "gained" a negative one yards on those six carries, but a few of those carries came late as the Saints were running out the clock in obvious safe run situations.

Taysom also completed his only pass attempt for a huge 19-yard gain. The pass came on third-and-2 on the Giants 26 yard line and set the Saints up at the seven yard line. In the end, the Saints got their first victory of the season in the same game Taysom returned to the field.

Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Stats:  10 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD

With 10 more receptions in Week 5 against Fred Warner and the San Francisco 49ers, Puka Nacua is off to the best start for a wide receiver in NFL history. Through five games he has 52 receptions for 588 yards. He is the first player in NFL history with 50 receptions through his team's first five games.

If he continues on his current pace through 17 games, he will end 2025 with 177 receptions and 1,999 yards. The season records for receptions is 149 and receiving yards is 1,964. BYU's Puka Nacua is literally on pace to have the best single season for a wide receiver in NFL history.

Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals

Stats: 4 punts, 55.0 yard average, 3 touchbacks, 65-yard long

The second-year punter is angling for a Pro Bowl appearance this year. Rehkow entered Week 5 as the No. 2 punter in the NFL with 52.7 yard average. This week he had four punts with a 55-yard average and a long of 65, so his average will creep up after this one.

Kingsley Suamataia, OG, Kansas City Chiefs

Stats: Plays on Monday Night Football

The second-year guard is finding his groove as the Chiefs starting left guard, sliding inside from his tackle position last year. PFF currently ranks Kingsley as No. 54 of 102 guards in the NFL, so right about league average. Not bad for a young player adapting to a new position.

Khyiris Tonga, DT, New England Patriots

Stats:  3 tackles

The fifth-year pro had a featured role on Sunday Night Football. He was a regular in the middle of the Patriots defensive line on likely running plays. Tonga did his part by eating blocks, pushing the pocket, and registering three tackles, a healthy sum for an interior defensive lineman. Landing with the Patriots this year has been a good fit for Tonga.

Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Baltimore Ravens

Stats: 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 QB hit

Welcome back, Kyle Van Noy! The Pro Bowl veteran pulled a hamstring in the Ravens second game. After a few weeks off he returned to Baltimore's defense in Week 5 and did what he's paid to do in coming up with a sack, though the Ravens fell to the Houston Texans without quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers

Stats: 12 tackles

The San Francisco 49ers defeated the Los Angeles Rams in overtime on Thursday Night Football thanks in large part to Fred Warner coming up with a dozen tackles. Through four games the perennial All-Pro has 38 tackles, putting him on pace for 161 tackles this year.

Did not play

Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons (bye)

Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers (bye)

Tyler Batty, DE, Minnesota Vikings (injured reserve)

Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers (bye)

Blake Freeland, OT, Indianapolis Colts (injured reserve)

Jakob Robinson, CB, San Francisco 49ers (injured reserve)

Kedon Slovis, QB, Arizona Cardinals (practice squad)

Sione Takitaki, LB, Minnesota Vikings (practice squad)

Zach Wilson, QB, Miami Dolphins (DNP)

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