The business of professional football is not for the faint of heart.
NFL teams can carry 90 players through training camps and the preseason, but then the final day comes when the ax needs to fall and rosters need to be trimmed to 53. That day has come and gone, and many former Cougars are gone as well.
In all only 12 former Cougars made initial 53-man rosters:
Former Cougars who made 53-man rosters
Tyler Allgeier, RB, Arizona Cardinals. The fifth-year pro should carry a fairly heavy load as he joins his new team in Arizona this year.
Zayne Anderson, S, Miami Dolphins. Entering his sixth NFL season and first with the Dolphins, the career special teams ace is battling for a starting spot in his new home.
Chris Brooks, RB, Green Bay Packers. Now starting his fourth NFL season and third in Green Bay, Brooks is a reliable third down back for the Pack.
Brady Christensen, OL, Carolina Panthers. Now entering his sixth season with the Panthers, the versatile offensive lineman is quality depth and a spot starter when needed.
Jack Kelly, OLB, New York Giants. The sixth-round rookie has turned heads this summer with the Giants and could have a solid first NFL season.
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams. Puka will continue to dominate on the field, and we can only hope he stays quiet off it.
Ryan Rehkow, P, Cincinnati Bengals. Rehkow is entering his third season as the Bengals starting punter and is flashing Pro Bowl potential
Carsen Ryan, TE, Cleveland Browns. The seventh-round rookie survived roster cuts and will begin his NFL career on the Browns depth chart.
Kingsley Suamataia, OG, Kansas City Chiefs. After a bumpy rookie season in 2024 at left tackle, Kingsley moved to left guard last year and thrived in his new position. He reprises his role in 2026.
Khyiris Tonga, DT, Kansas City Chiefs. After a breakout campaign last year with the New England Patriots, the sixth-year pro will anchor the Chiefs defensive interior.
Fred Warner, LB, San Francisco 49ers. The best linebacker on the planet could have another All-Pro season.
Zach Wilson, QB, New Orleans Saints. It was dicey if Zach was going to make the Saints roster in his first year in New Orleans after battling Spencer Rattler for QB2, but the Saints decided to keep three quarterbacks.
While a dozen former Cougars are on Day 1 NFL rosters, the news wasn't so good for a host of other former BYU legends. Here's the unfortunate list of players who got waived at final roster cuts. The hope is they will end up signing elsewhere or at minimum make a practice squad somewhere.
Former Cougars who were waived/released
Mory Bamba, CB, New York Jets
Tyler Batty, DE, Minnesota Vikings (season-ending IL - torn ACL)
Michael Davis, CB, New Orleans Saints
Blake Freeland, OT, Indianapolis Colts
Isaiah Jatta, OT, Las Vegas Raiders
Chase Roberts, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (waived/injured)
Jakob Robinson, CB, San Francisco 49ers
Keon Slovis, QB, Arizona Cardinals
Tanner Wall, S, New York Jets
Add us as a preferred source on Google