The 2025 NFL Draft was anticlimactic for BYU fans as not a single Cougar was selected. But NFL dreams don't die just because a player's name isn't called on draft day. Shortly after the draft ends, hundreds of undrafted free agents (UDFAs) sign contracts with teams.
But the odds are stacked against UDFAs to ultimately stick on a roster or practice squad. Most of them are viewed as "camp bodies" to help teams get through training camp and the preseason and are then unceremoniously waived when teams are required to get rosters down to 53 players.
BYU rookies making NFL rosters
Four BYU UDFAs signed with teams after this year's draft: Wide receiver Darius Lassiter, tackle Caleb Etienne, defensive end Tyler Batty, and cornerback Jakob Robinson.
The good news with final roster cuts having happened earlier this week is that Etienne, Batty, and Robinson are all on NFL rosters. That's a major reason to celebrate!
The bad news? All three of them suffered injuries in their final preseason games.
Etienne was seen leaving his final preseason game on crutches, Batty injured his knee, and Robinson broke his forearm. Watching three talented rookie UDFAs from BYU get injured back-to-back-to-back on the same final preseason weekend was brutal.
The most promising situation belongs to Tyler Batty. He was put on the Minnesota Vikings injured reserve but was classified as "designated to return", which means he made the final 53-man roster, but will need to miss at least the first four games of his rookie season. This is an outstanding result for Tyler.
Vikings placed FB C.J. Ham and OLB Tyler Batty on Injured Reserve - Designated to Return to open the season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 26, 2025
Jakob Robinson was placed on the San Francisco 49ers injured reserve with his broken forearm and per CBS Sports "will ultimately force the undrafted rookie to miss the entire NFL season." This is extremely disheartening for Robinson as he had a terrific summer with the 49ers and was considered by many to have a legitimate shot at making the 53-man roster.
Caleb Etienne spent the preseason with the Cincinnati Bengals and saw plenty of reps at left tackle before his injury. He was waived with an injury designation on Tuesday but per Rotowire reverted to Cincy's injured reserve on Wednesday. This means he will either miss the entire 2025 season or he can reach an injury settlement with the Bengals and try to latch on to another team.
Heal up, fellas.
Cougar Nation is pulling for you from back in Provo.