NFL training camps are set to open soon, and unfortunately for BYU fans there are four former Cougars who haven't yet found their next team. These four NFL veterans - Taysom Hill, Kyle Van Noy, Sione Takitaki, and Michael Davis - could still get the call at any moment to continue their professional careers, but with every passing week the odds of that happening grow slimmer. Let's take a look back at the outstanding careers of each of these BYU legends.
Taysom Hill, QB/HB/TE
2025 stats: 13 games, 114 rush yards, 1 TD; 11 receptions, 91 yards; 57 passing yards, 1 TD
Career stats: 2,551 rush yards, 34 TDs; 110 receptions, 1,034 yards, 11 TDs; 2,426 passing yards, 12 TDs
If BYU fans were administered truth serum and were asked who their all-time favorite former Cougar in the NFL is, there might be a dead heat between Steve Young and Taysom Hill. Taysom's singular, versatile, remarkable career over the last nine years has been like nothing the NFL has seen before.
He is the only player in the Super Bowl era with over 1,000 rushing yards, passing yards, and receiving yards. Throw in some special teams magic along the way, and his career was unforgettable.
But his career has also seen its share of injuries, which isn't all that surprising given his physical, punishing rushing style. He tore his ACL in December 2024 and while he almost miraculously ended up playing in 13 games last year, his explosiveness looked sapped. He was the perfect player for the New Orleans Saints offense over the last nine years, but his run has likely come to an end.
Kyle Van Noy, edge
2025 stats: 15 games, 20 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, 1 interception
Career stats: 173 games, 561 tackles, 74 tackles for loss, 57 sacks
Kyle Van Noy's 12-year NFL career has been remarkable. As an overlooked second round pick who didn't fit the Detroit Lions defensive scheme, his NFL career got off to a slow start. But a trade to the New England Patriots during this third season vaulted him to the status of difference-making linebacker and edge rusher.
For most of his career he could be counted on for somewhere near 60 tackles and five sacks a year. Those were good numbers, but greatness would come later in his career.
In 2023, much like now, he didn't have a team through training camp and into the start of the regular season. The Baltimore Ravens came calling early in the year and he immediately made an impact with 30 tackles and nine sacks. Then, in his 2024 age-33 season, Van Noy had a fantastic campaign with 41 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks. He was rewarded with a Pro Bowl nod that year.
But last year was a down season for the veteran. He wasn't able to build on his double-digit sack totals from a season before. The Ravens have moved on from long-time coach Jim Harbaugh and have appeared to have moved on from Van Noy as well. Some smart team might pick him up yet, but for now it looks like his career might be wrapping up.
Sione Takitaki, linebacker
2025 stats: 3 games, 3 tackles
Career stats: 86 games, 292 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks
A third round pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2019, Takitaki excelled in his five seasons with Cleveland. As a rookie he had 21 tackles, but over the next four seasons the totals rose to 67, 44, 71, and 65. Through five seasons with the Browns he had 268 tackles and four sacks before leaving for the New England Patriots in 2024.
His career got derailed by injury shortly after arriving in New England. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason, and that led to him missing training camp and the first several games of the regular season. He didn't make his debut until Week 6 and never found his groove. He ended up with 21 tackles in 11 games.
Last season he joined the Minnesota Vikings, but as a member of the practice squad, which is a bit odd for a veteran. He ended up making the active roster and appeared in three games with three tackles.
Sione just turned 31, so he still has some gas left in the tank if any team needs a proven veteran. But the longer the offseason goes with him remaining a free agent, and given his recent injury history, the less like it becomes he'll get that call.
Michael Davis, cornerback
2025 stats: 11 games, 4 tackles
Career stats: 133 games, 76 starts, 367 tackles, 8 interceptions, 70 passes defended
Michael Davis's outstanding nine-year NFL career has largely flown under the radar of the BYU community, and that's a shame. The undrafted free agent had a solid career at BYU then signed with the Chargers. After playing sparingly as a rookie in 2017 with 18 tackles that year, he went on in 2018 to start nine of 16 games with 50 tackles and eight passes defended.
In seven seasons with the Chargers he started 74 of 107 games with 349 tackles and eight picks.
In 2024 he joined the Washington Commanders but struggled in pass coverage and his role diminished as the season went along, ultimately resulting in14 tackles in 15 games.
Last year he joined the New Orleans Saints as a special teams player and recorded four tackles in 11 games.
Here's to hoping a team will need a 6-foot-2, 196-pound experienced corner at some point this year, but the odds are growing increasingly slim.
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