With the NFL draft coming up from April 23-25, the hope for BYU fans is to hear at least a couple of former Cougars names called in this year‘s draft. Linebacker Jack Kelly should be selected. Two additional players, wide receiver Chase Roberts and tight end Carsen Ryan, may or may not be taken in the draft.
But before we look forward, let’s also look back at the last 10 players drafted from BYU and see how their careers have played out.
Kingsley Suamataia - 2025 second round
Expectations were high for Kingsley as a second round pick and Day 1 starter at left tackle for the Kansas City Chiefs. However, it was apparent early on in his rookie season that he wasn’t ready for that role. He moved to left guard last year and to his credit he thrived in his new position. He started every game in 2025 and graded out as the 36 of 81 guards by PFF.
Blake Freeland – 2023 fourth round
This upcoming season will be a make-or-break year for the 6-foot-7, 302-pound tackle. In his 2023 rookie season he started nine of 16 games for the Colts with some unsteady play. In 2024 he appeared in nine games but played just 23 offensive snaps and 36 on special teams. Then last year he missed the entire season due to injury.
Freeland has the potential to carve out a good NFL career, and his play in 2026 will determine if that happens.
Jaren Hall – 2023 fifth round
The odds are always stacked against fifth round quarterbacks, but Jaren Hall was oh-so-close to breaking through. He was pressed into service as a rookie but was derailed by some untimely injuries and one bad outing. He appeared in three games as a rookie for the Minnesota Vikings and completed 13-of-20 passes in his brief career.
Puka Nacua – 2023 fifth round
In three NFL seasons, Puka has two Pro Bowls and one All-Pro season under his belt. His 95.3 receiving yards per game is the most in NFL history. If he can keep his off-the-field life in order, Puka is on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
Tyler Allgeier – 2022 fifth round
In 2022 Tyler broke the Atlanta Falcons franchise rookie rushing record with 1,035 yards. He averaged an outstanding 4.9 yards per carry that year. But over the last three seasons Atlanta has force-fed Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson with Tyler sometimes just getting a few meager scraps for touches.
Allgeier recently signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals where he should see his carries significantly increase. The Cardinals didn't sign him to a two-year, $12.3 million contract to sit him on the bench. Look for another 1,000-plus yard season from Tyler in 2026.
Zach Wilson – 2021 first round
Oh, Zach. As the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 draft, he ended up in the absolute worst situation possible by playing for the dysfunctional New York Jets. After three seasons in New York he went on to spend time with the Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins. In his career he has thrown for 6,325 yards and 23 touchdowns along with 499 rushing yards and five more scores. He signed this off-season with the New Orleans Saints as he looks to reclaim a starting position.
Brady Christensen – 2021 third round
Through five seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Christensen has been a versatile and important piece to the Panthers offensive line. He has started 34 of 59 career games. He is currently a free agent and coming off a serious Achilles injury. Here's to hoping he finds a new home quickly.
Khyiris Tonga – 2021 seventh round
While most seventh round picks quickly flame out of the NFL, Tonga has thrived. He has started 15 of 67 games over the last five seasons and registered 113 tackles as an interior defensive lineman. He’s coming off the best season of his career as a key part of the New England Patriots that reached the Super Bowl. He just signed a three-year, $21 million contract with Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs.
Chris Wilcox – 2021 seventh round
As with most seventh round picks, Wilcox‘s career was an uphill battle. He was drafted in 2021 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was waived before the season began. Between 2021 and 2024 he spent time with five other teams, mostly on practice squads, but never played in a regular season game in his NFL career.
Dax Milne– 2021 seventh round
Rounding out the three former Cougars selected in the seventh round of the 2021 draft is wide receiver Dax Milne. He appeared in 28 games over two seasons for the Washington Commanders.
As a receiver, he registered 15 receptions for 120 yards and one touchdown. He also returned 40 punts and 15 kickoffs in his first two seasons. But Dax missed the entire 2023 season after being placed on injured reserve before the season began, was released after the season, and never saw the field again. He recently announced his retirement from football.
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