While a host of former BYU Cougars like defensive end Tyler Batty, cornerback Jakob Robinson, tackle Caleb Etienne, and wide receiver Darius Lassiter are just beginning their NFL careers this year, five others may be facing the end of their NFL careers. With NFL training camps now in full swing, these five veterans have yet to latch on with a team:
Jamaal Williams, Running Back
Career stats: 8 years, 117 Gs, 4,122 rushing yards, 32 TD; 1,310 receiving yards, 8 TDs
It's a sad when when Jamaal Williams and his bubbly personality aren't on an NFL roster. Over the last eight seasons he has emerged as one of the NFL's most fun-loving, enjoyable personalities. His play on the field has been consistently good and peaked in 2022 with the Detroit Lions when he rushed for 1,066 yards and a league-high 17 touchdowns. It's tough for 30-year-old running backs coming off back-to-back middling seasons to find a home in the NFL, but here's to hoping Jamaal can do just that.
Sione Takitaki, Linebacker
Career stats: 6 years, 83 Gs, 289 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 14 tackles for loss
The 2019 third round pick had a nice five-years with the Cleveland Browns to begin his career. As a rookie in 2019 he registered 21 tackles in 15 games, but then worked his way into a part-time starting role. Over the next four seasons he started 35 of 57 games while averaging 62 tackles per season. In 2024 he joined the New England Patriots but was hampered by the lingering effects of knee surgery, recording just 21 tackles in 11 games. As a 30-year-old effective, veteran linebacker, it wouldn't be too surprising for him to still land on a roster this year.
Michael Davis, Cornerback
Career stats: 8 years, 122 Gs, 363 tackles, 8 interceptions, 70 passes defended
Davis began his NFL career as an undrafted rookie with the Los Angeles Chargers back in 2017. He spent the next seven seasons as a starting corner for the Chargers, emerging as one of the few former BYU players to excel in an NFL secondary. Then last year he joined the Washington Commanders and struggled in coverage. His 43.3 PFF grade ranked just 205th of 222 cornerbacks, so it will be a long road for the 30-year-old veteran to latch on with another team this year.
Dax Milne, Wide Receiver
Career stats: 3 years, 28 Gs, 15 receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD; 40 punt returns (7.8 YPR), 15 kick returns (20.0 YPR)
Milne joined the Washington Commanders in 2021 as a seventh round pick. He played 163 offensive snaps over 13 games that year and hauled in nine receptions for 83 yards. In 2022 he played in 15 games with six receptions for 37 yards and his first career touchdown, but he also returned a league-leading 40 punts along with 15 kickoffs.
Just when it looked like he was finding his groove in the NFL, he missed the entire 2023 season due to injury. The 26-year-old spent last year on the Carolina Panthers practice squad, but the team waived him in May of this year.
Jaren Hall, Quarterback
Career stats: 2 years, 3 Gs, 13-of-20 (65%) passing,168 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT
After a stellar career at BYU, Jaren Hall was a fifth round pick in 2023 by the Minnesota Vikings. It looked like his career might begin early than anybody anticipated after starting quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles. Jaren got the fill-in start as a rookie, but he left his first NFL game early with a concussion. He started a second game in Week 17 but struggled through the first half before being benched at halftime. The Vikings waived him after his rookie campaign.
Hall spent last year with the Seattle Seahawks and was promoted to the 53-man roster, but didn't see the field. The 27-year-old quarterback is now looking to land with his third team in three seasons.