Zach Wilson, Brady Christensen, Fred Warner, and Taysom Hill all had outstanding performances in week 17, but they weren’t alone in making an impact as former Cougs in the Pros.
BYU currently has 23 alumni in the NFL on either the active roster (15), injury reserve (2), or on a practice squad (6). Eight of the 15 active players started for their respective teams in week 17, including starts from three rookies (Wilson, Tonga, and Christensen).
Fred Warner surpassed last years tackle mark to make 2021 his most productive year so far. He had 15 tackles this week to move up to no. 13 in the NFL on the tackle charts with 129 total tackles.
Meanwhile, Jamaal Williams is also having his most productive NFL season. So far in 2021 he has 140 carries for a career high 558 yards and three touchdowns with 25 receptions for 148 yards.
In total there were eight former Cougs that got starts for their NFL teams (Christensen, Davis, Hill, Tonga, Van Noy, Fred Warner, Jamaal Williams, and Wilson), with another seven coming off the bench (Anderson, Leavitt, Milne, Nacua, Sorensen, Takitaki, and Ty’Son Williams), two out with injuries Bernard and Langi), and six on practice squads (Bushman, Hoge, Bronson Kaufusi, Corbin Kaufusi, Troy Warner, and Wilcox).
Below are the snap counts and statistics for each active player.
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Active Roster (15)
- Zayne Anderson (CB, Chiefs). Played 17 snaps on special teams (59%) and recorded no stats. Season totals: three games, one solo tackle
- Brady Christensen (OL, Panthers). Started and played all 61 offensive snaps (100%) and three snaps on special teams (11%). Season totals: 15 games, five starts, one solo tackle.
- Michael Davis (CB, Chargers). Started and played 59 defensive snaps (98%) and one snap on special teams (4%). Had six tackles (four solo). Season totals: 13 games, 13 starts, 49 tackles (38 solo), one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, two fumble recoveries for 36 yards, and an interception.
- Taysom Hill (QB, Saints). Started at QB and played all 58 offensive snaps (100%). Hill completed 17-of-28 passes for 222 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed 12 times for 45 yards. Season totals: 11 games, eight starts, 71-for-125 passing (56.8%) for 871 yards, three touchdowns, and five interceptions, four receptions for 52 yards, 65 rushes for 356 yards and five touchdowns, one tackle.
- Dallin Leavitt (DB, Raiders). Played 10 defensive snaps (17%) and 21 snaps on special teams (81%), two tackles (one solo). Season totals: 15 games, one start, 32 tackles (16 solo), two passes defended, two fumble recoveries (with 30 return yards).
- Dax Milne (WR, Washington). Played six offensive snaps (10%) and was targeted once and rushed once for one yard. Season totals: 12 games, one start, nine receptions for 83 yards, one rush for one yard
- Kai Nacua (S, 49ers/Jets). Played 17 snaps on special teams (65%) and recorded no stats. Season totals: three games, two solo tackles.
- Daniel Sorensen (S, Chiefs). Played 30 defensive snaps (43%) and 18 snaps on special teams (62%). Sorensen had three solo tackles. Season totals: 16 games, seven starts, 50 tackles (39 solo), three tackles for loss, one sack, three quarterback hits, eight passes defended, and two interceptions (with one returned 75 yards for a touchdown).
- Sione Takitaki (LB, Browns). Played 12 defensive snaps (15%) and 14 snaps on special teams (45%). Takitaki had three tackles (two solo) with a tackle for loss. Season totals: 15 games, eight starts, 44 tackles (21 solo), two quarterback hits, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
- Khyiris Tonga (DT, Bears). Started and played 21 defensive snaps (38%), eight snaps on special teams (35%), and one snap on offense where as fullback on the opening drive he blocked and opened a gap for David Montgomery to find the endzone. Tonga had two tackles (one solo) and a forced fumble. Season totals: 14 games, two starts, 21 tackles (10 solo), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
- Kyle Van Noy (LB, Patriots). Started and played 39 defensive snaps (83%), recorded four tackles (three solo). Season totals: 15 games, seven starts, 60 tackles (39 solo), four sacks, four tackles for loss, six quarterback hits, 10 passes defended, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception for a 35 yard touchdown.
- Fred Warner (OLB, 49ers). Started and played all 67 defensive snaps (100%). Warner had 15 tackles (seven solo) with one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. Season totals: 15 games, 15 starts, 129 tackles (74 solo), six tackles for loss, four passes defended, one forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. Warner is currently no. 13 in the NFL in total tackles.
- Jamaal Williams (RB, Lions). Started and played 20 offensive snaps (32%). Williams rushed 11 times for 22 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 22 yards. Season totals: 12 games, 11 starts, 140 carries for 558 yards and three touchdowns, 25 receptions for 148 yards.
- Ty’Son Williams (RB, Ravens). Played six snaps on special teams (26%) and recorded no stats. Season totals: 12 games, three starts, 34 rushes for 181 yards and one touchdown, nine receptions for 84 yards.
- Zach Wilson (QB, Jets). Started and played all 61 snaps on offense (100%). He went 19-for-33 for 234 yards and a touchdown, and rushed twice for 0 yards. Season totals: 12 games, 12 starts 206-for-363 passing (.567), 2247 yards, eight touchdowns, 11 interceptions. 27 rushes for 161 yards and four touchdowns. He has been sacked 36 times (3 sacks/game avg).
Inactive Roster (2)
- Francis Bernard (LB, Cowboys). Was on the COVID list and missed the week 17 game. Season totals: Eight games, four tackles (one solo).
- Harvey Langi (LB, Patriots). Langi suffered a sprained MCL and was placed on injured reserve October 26. He was not activated during his 21-day activation window and will sit out the remainder of the season. Season totals: Seven games, one start, three tackles (one solo).
Practice Squads (6)
- Matt Bushman (TE, Raiders). Season totals: two games, no stats. Added to Las Vegas practice squad September 1, 2021 but activated for games in weeks seven and 13.
- Tristen Hoge (OT, Browns/Broncos). Added to Denver practice squad as a guard December 28, 2021.
- Bronson Kaufusi (TE/DE, Packers). Added to Green Bay practice squad as tight end September 1, 2021.
- Corbin Kaufusi (OT, 49ers). Added to San Francisco’s practice squad on November 11, 2021.
- Troy Warner (S, Rams/Buccaneers). Waived by L.A. on August 30, 2021 and then added to the Tampa Bay practice squad September 2, 2021.
- Chris Wilcox (DB, Buccaneers/Colts). Drafted by the Buccaneers with the 251st pick of the 2021 NFL draft. Waived by Tampa Bay August 31, 2021 and signed by Indianapolis. Added to the practice squad on September 16, 2021.
Free Agents (10)
The follow players had an NFL contract at some point in 2021 but are not currently signed to an NFL team: Ziggy Ansah (DE, 49ers), Zac Dawe (DL, Falcons), John Denney (LS, Saints), Kavika Fonua (DB, Panthers), Chandon Herring (OT, Titans), Aleva Hifo (WR, Cardinals), Isaiah Kaufusi (LB, Colts), Dayan Lake (S, Rams), Micah Simon (WR, Panthers).
If you love our content, please support our sponsors. We can’t produce our show and articles without our sponsors. They are also an official sponsor of the BYU football team. This article is brought to you by Built Bar, built.com. Use “Criddle10” coupon code for 10% off your order.
