These 18 former BYU Cougars in the NFL are preparing for Week 1
By D.A. Sweat
While on Saturdays all eyes are on BYU football, it’s on Sundays when former Cougars shine in the NFL. Heading into Week 1 there are 18 former BYU players on NFL rosters and more could be added to practice squads in the coming days. Here are the 18 studs, stalwarts, second stringers, and practice squadders representing BYU in the NFL:
The Studs
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams. After being drafted in the fifth round last year, Puka absolutely tore up the NFL in his rookie season. His 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns earned him Pro Bowl and Second Team All-Pro Honors.
Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers. Warner is widely regarded as the best middle linebacker in the NFL. In three of the last four seasons he has been selected as First Team All-Pro and made the Pro Bowl. Many BYU fans are now hoping he can add a Super Bowl ring to his growing Hall of Fame resume.
The Stalwarts
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta Falcons. After a stellar 2022 rookie season in which Tyler ran for 1,035 yards while averaging 4.9 yards per carry, the Falcons baffled BYU fans in 2023 by drafting running back Bijan Robinson at No. 8 overall. Allgeier is still RB2 in Atlanta and will get plenty of touches, but it’s a frustrating situation.
Michael Davis, CB, Washington Commanders. Davis is perhaps the most overlooked former BYU Cougar in the NFL. He enters his eighth season having started 74 of 107 career games and is slotted to start this year in Washington.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints. Taysom is perhaps the most enjoyable player in the NFL to watch. In November of last year Sports Illustrated noted that the Saints were 12-1 in games in which Hill had at least 10 touches (carries and receptions). Give him the ball!
Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals. The 2024 undrafted free agent rookie has won the starting punter job in Cincy, which is a remarkable accomplishment given the limited number of punter spots that open up every year.
Kingsley Suamataia, OT, Kansas City Chiefs. The 2024 second round pick won the starting left tackle position on Andy Reid’s team and will protect Patrick Mahomes’ blindside. BYU fans are not surprised Kingsley will be a Day 1 starter.
Sinoe Takitaki, LB, New England Patriots. After a solid five-year run with the Cleveland Browns in which he recorded 268 tackles and four sacks, Takitaki joins the New England Patriots this year. He’ll begin the season on the PUP list with a knee issue.
Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Baltimore Ravens. Entering his 11th season, KVN is coming off a career-high nine sacks in just 13 games last year. He’s a perfect fit with the Ravens and should have another impactful year.
Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints. In 2022 Jamaal rushed for 1,066 yards and an NFL-leading 17 touchdowns with the Detroit Lions, then joined the Saints last season as a backup to Alvin Kamara. He will reprise his RB2 role in 2024.
The Second Stringers
Zayne Anderson, S, Green Bay Packers. Zayne enters his fourth NFL season having appeared in 17 career games but never having played a single defensive snap. Thus far he has five career tackles in 237 special teams snaps and will continue contributing on special teams in 2024.
Brady Christensen, OL, Carolina Panthers. After starting all 17 games in 2022, Christensen’s 2023 season was limited to one game due to injury. This offseason the Panthers gave massive contracts to guards Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, so Brady is relegated to a backup role.
Blake Freeland, T, Indianapolis Colts. Freeland started nine of 16 games in his rookie season last year with some up-and-down results. He’s penciled in as the backup to Bernhard Raimann at left tackle.
Khyiris Tonga, DT, Arizona Cardinals. The 2021 seventh round pick joins the Arizona Cardinals this season, his third team in four years. He should be a key rotational player looking to build on his 67 career tackles.
Zach Wilson, QB, Denver Broncos. No, he’s not starting, but Zach Wilson has finally escaped the toxic dysfunction of the New York Jets! Wilson had a solid preseason with the Broncos as he looks to rehabilitate his NFL career.
The Practice Squad
Jaren Hall, QB, Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings recently released Jaren the day after roster cutdowns just one year after drafting him in the fifth round (you’re dead to me now, Minnesota!). He landed on the Seahawks practice squad in what appears to be a good situation.
Kedon Slovis, QB, Houston Texans. The one-year BYU product signed as a UDFA rookie with the Indianapolis Colts, got waived as part of roster cutdowns, then signed with the Texans.
Free agents to keep an eye on: RB Chris Brooks, CB Kaleb Hayes, WR Dax Milne, WR Samson Nacua, TE Isaac Rex, RB Aiden Robbins, CB Chris Wilcox
Max Tooley, LB, Houston Texans. Max got a lot of preseason publicity as the UDFA most likely to make the 53-man roster, so it was a disappointment he ended up on the practice squad. He could easily crack the 53-man roster at some point this year.
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