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How increasing NFL Draft picks will impact BYU's recruiting

BYU Football: NFL Draft Tracker

Keeping you up to date on former Cougars in the NFL Draft.

Multiple former Cougars are expected to be selected in the NFL Draft this weekend. This article will be updated in real time as the selections come in.

Brady Christensen

NFL Draft Picks

  • The New York Jets selected Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
  • The Carolina Panthers selected Brady Christensen with the sixth pick in the third round (70th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft.
  • The Chicago Bears selected defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga with the 250th pick (seventh round) of the NFL Draft. 
  • The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected defensive back Chris Wilcox with the 251st pick (seventh) of the NFL Draft.
  • The Washington Football Team selected wide receiver Dax Milne with the 258th pick (seventh round) of the NFL Draft.

Milestones Reached

Zach Wilson

  • Wilson becomes the highest NFL Draft pick in the history of BYU football. Jim McMahon (1982 Chicago Bears) and Ezekial Ansah (2013 Detroit Lions) held the previous record as the highest draft picks out of BYU - both of them were taken fifth overall in the draft. Steve Young was taken first overall in the 1984 supplemental draft, but the supplemental draft is different from the annual NFL Draft.
  • Wilson is the first BYU player drafted since Sione Takitaki was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2019.
  • Wilson is the first BYU quarterback selected in the NFL Draft since John Beck was picked by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
  • Wilson is the first BYU quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since Jim McMahon in 1982.
  • Wilson is the first BYU player drafted in the first round since Ezekial Ansah in 2013.

Brady Christensen

  • Brady Christensen (Carolina Panthers - Round 3, Pick 6) is the first offensive lineman drafted out of BYU since Scott Young was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2005.

Khyiris Tonga

  • Khyiris Tonga is the first defensive tackle drafted out of BYU since Daren Yancey in 1999. Since 1999, six defensive ends (Bronson Kaufusi, Ezekial Ansah, Shaun Nua, Ryan Denney, Brett Keisel, Byron Frisch) have been drafted out of BYU, but no defensive tackles.

Chris Wilcox

  • Chris Wilcox is the first BYU defensive back taken in the NFL Draft since Derwin Gray was selected by the Indianapolis Colts in 1993.

Dax Milne

  • Dax Milne the first wide receiver drafted out of BYU since Austin Collie in 2009. He is only the third BYU wide receiver drafted since 1988 - Todd Watkins was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in 2006.

Multiple Draft Picks

  • With five players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, it is the most since Doug Jolley, Ryan Denney, Brandon Doman, Luke Staley, and Brett Keisel were drafted in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Number of draft picks by year (5)

UDFA Deals

  • BYU DB Zayne Anderson has signed a deal as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs according to a Chiefs beat writer Sam McDowell.
  • BYU LB Isaiah Kaufusi has signed a deal as an undrafted free agent with the Indianapolis Colts according to a Colts beat writer Joel Erickson.
  • BYU OL Chandon Herring has signed a deal as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans according to the United Athletes Sports Agency.
  • BYU TE Matt Bushman has signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders as an undrafted free agent.
  • BYU DB Troy Warner has signed with the LA Rams as an undrafted free agent.
  • BYU OL Tristen Hige has signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent.
  • BYU DL Zac Dawe has signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent.

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