With the on-field success that BYU football has had over the last two years, the team has also added to its legacy as multiple former Cougars ply their trade in the professional game.
Many former Cougars are now making an impact on the gridiron on Sundays in the National Football League. Every young athlete who plays the game of football has a dream to be playing in the biggest stadiums in the world while being cheered on by thousands of adoring fans. These players have worked their way to being on that stage and having the opportunity to help their new teams get wins.
With the NFL in the midst of its preseason and the regular season just around the corner, let’s catch up with these former BYU athletes and see how their professional careers have progressed, and what could be next.
The preseason AP college football poll: Does it actually matter?
Offense
Zach Wilson, QB – New York Jets
2021 Season – In 13 games, Wilson threw for 2,334 yards with 9 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also rushed for 185 yards and 4 touchdowns.
The first year in New York was up and down for Wilson. The former second overall pick struggled early in the season, making the typical rookie mistakes that so many young signal callers make. However, after returning from an injury that sidelined him for 4 weeks, the rookie appeared much more poised in the pocket. In his final 5 games of the season, he did not throw an interception and made great strides that made the Jets excited for his future.
The 2022 season will be Wilson’s chance to prove why he was selected second overall in 2021. New York has used their resources during the offseason to build a stronger supporting cast around the quarterback. Now it’s on the shoulders of Wilson to help the Jets improve from their 4-13 record of last season. Wilson is the projected starter once he returns from an injury to his knee that he sustained during their first preseason game.
Jamaal Williams, RB – Detroit Lions
2021 Season – In 13 games, Williams rushed for 601 yards (a career-high) and 3 touchdowns. He also added 157 yards receiving.
Williams will look to continue to be a strong veteran presence in the Detroit locker room. The young Lions will be turning to him often as the second option in the backfield behind D’andre Swift.
Tyler Allgeier, RB – Atlanta Falcons
Allgeier is entering his debut NFL season.
After an incredible 2021 season with the Cougars, Allgeier was selected in the fifth round of the NFL Draft in April. The Falcons are looking forward to the contributions he can bring as they look to improve on their 7-10 record from last year. Currently, he is listed as the 3rd string running back on the depth chart, but with a youthful Atlanta team, he should have plenty of opportunities to showcase his skillset.
Taysom Hill, TE – New Orleans Saints
2021 Season – In 12 games, Hill threw for 978 yards with 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. He also rushed for 374 yards with 5 touchdowns on the ground.
Hill is known for being the swiss army knife, do-it-all, player for the Saints. Over the course of the last couple of seasons, he had the opportunity to start at quarterback for New Orleans because of injuries to starter Jameis Winston. For the upcoming season, Taysom is listed on the roster as a tight end and will likely return to being more of the all-around player that he has become famous for.
Dax Milne, WR – Washington Commanders
2021 Season – In 13 games, Milne recorded 83 yards on just 9 receptions.
Even with the limited minutes that Milne saw last season, he still managed to make the 53-man roster and provide depth for the Commanders’ wide receiver corps. This season he is listed as a backup slot receiver on the depth chart. This role may provide him with some more opportunities to play, and prove why he deserves to be on the field.
Brady Christensen, LT – Carolina Panthers
2021 Season – Christensen played in 16 of 17 games for the Panthers last season, starting six.
Christensen was a consistent presence on the Carolina offensive line in 2021. The Panthers will hope to have his consistent play carry into this season, as he is currently listed as the backup left tackle on the team. Offensive line depth is always on the minds of coaches in the league and he provides just that.
Defense
Fred Warner, MLB – San Francisco 49ers
2021 Season – Warner played in 16 games, tallying 137 tackles, – 79 solo – and a forced fumble.
A 2020 All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, Warner is still widely considered one of the top linebackers in all of football. After another solid season last year, Warner is looking to keep his success rolling heading into the start of the 2022 campaign. He is the leader of the defense for San Francisco and will look to try and help lead them back into the postseason this year.
Sione Takitaki, SLB – Cleveland Browns
2021 Season – Takitaki played in 15 games, totaling 44 tackles on the year (21 solo) and a forced fumble.
Takitaki has been a solid linebacker in the NFL win the Browns. Although his statistics don’t jump off the page or warrant a Pro Bowl appearance, Sione plays his part in a very solid Browns defense. He is listed as the starter at strongside linebacker once again this season, which will allow him to continue to make an impact on the Cleveland defense.
Khyiris Tonga, NT – Chicago Bears
2021 Season – Tonga played in 15 games during his rookie season, totaling 24 tackles (10 solo).
Tonga played well for the Bears during his rookie season when he was able to get on the field. He is listed as the second-string nose tackle on the Bears’ depth chart for the 2022 season, so he should be able to continue showcasing his talent on the turf this upcoming season as Chicago looks to improve.
Kyle Van Noy, OLB – Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Season – Van Noy played in 16 games last season with New England, tallying 66 tackles (42 solo). He also recorded five sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
A two-time Super Bowl champion, Van Noy was once again a solid force on defense for a Patriots team that made the playoffs last season. During the offseason, he made the decision to head West and join the Los Angeles Chargers. He is currently listed as the backup outside linebacker, where he will once again be able to showcase his ability to read opposing offenses.
Michael Davis, CB – Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Season – Davis played in 14 games, recording 54 tackles (42 solo) and an interception. He also finished tied for 20th in the NFL in passes defended with 12.
Michael Davis has been a very consistent presence in the Chargers’ cornerback room for some years now. He has been a solid piece in the Los Angeles defense and that does not appear to be changing anytime soon. The Chargers have him listed as the backup left cornerback, meaning he will continue to see a lot of playing time as LA looks to break into the playoffs after just missing out in 2021.
Reserve players and fighting for a roster spot
WR Neil Pau’u is listed at fourth-string for the Buffalo Bills
RG James Empey is listed at third-string for the Dallas Cowboys
WR Samson Nacua is listed at fourth-string for the Indianapolis Colts
CB Chris Wilcox is listed at third-string for the Indianapolis Colts
RB Ty’Son William is listed at fifth-string for the Indianapolis Colts
FS Zayne Anderson is listed at third-string for the Kansas City Chiefs
TE Matt Bushman is listed at fifth-string for the Kansas City Chiefs
ILB Harvey Langi is listed at third-string for the New England Patriots
SS Daniel Sorenson is listed at third-string for the New Orleans Saints
LB Kai Nacua is listed at third-string for the New York Jets
NFL season begins
The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 8, when the defending Super Bowl champion LA Rams host the Buffalo Bills at SoFi Stadium.
All stats referenced are via ESPN and are current as of the 2021 season. The depth chart information is via Ourlads.
