The NFL preseason has come to a close with the first regular season game kicking off Sept. 9 between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (the defending Super Bowl champions).
Nearly 30 BYU players have been fighting for spots to make the final cut as teams trimmed their rosters to 53 yesterday. Each team is allowed to have 53 roster spots and 16 practice squad spots this year.
Former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson was obviously a lock as the No. 2 pick in the NFL Draft is expected to be the starter in the Jets’ opening game against the Carolina Panthers. While Wilson’s role was secure, the same couldn’t be said of other former BYU players such as Dax Milne and Khyiris Tonga who were both picked in the seventh round.
In fact, Milne was the second-to-last pick in the NFL Draft and faced long odds to make the final roster for Washington. However, just like he has his whole life, Milne — the former BYU walk-on — made the most of his moment and found himself on the 53-man roster.
Like Milne, Tonga was a long shot to make a roster spot in Chicago according to “experts,” but the defensive tackle proved his doubters wrong as he earned a spot on the 53-man roster for the Bears.
Below is a breakdown of every BYU player who made the 53-man roster:
Zach Wilson (QB, Jets): Preseason totals: 15-of-20 passing for 191 yards, two touchdowns, 0 sacks, 0 interceptions (2 games).
Kyle Van Noy (LB, Patriots): Preseason totals: Six tackles (3 games).
Fred Warner (OLB, 49ers): Held out of preseason games.
Jamaal Williams (RB, Lions): Preseason totals: Rushed nine times for 15 yards (1 game).
Ty’Son Williams (RB, Ravens): Preseason totals: 24 carries for 131 yards and one touchdown. Eight receptions for 36 yards (3 games).
Brady Christensen (OL, Panthers): Preseason totals: No stats (3 games).
Taysom Hill (QB, Saints): Preseason totals: 19-of-32 passing for 219 yards and one touchdown (2 games).
Dax Milne (WR, Washington): Preseason totals: Five receptions for 52 yards, one punt return for 19 yards (3 games).
Michael Davis (CB, Chargers): Preseason totals: Two tackles (2 games).
Harvey Langi (LB, Patriots): Preseason totals: 22 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack, one interception (3 games).
Khyiris Tonga (DT, Bears): Preseason totals: Two tackles, two QB hits (2 games).
Sione Takitaki (LB, Browns): Preseason totals: Two solo tackles. Suffered a hamstring injury after the first game.
Daniel Sorensen (S, Chiefs): Preseason totals: Two tackles (3 games).
Free Agents
Kai Nacua (S, 49ers). Preseason totals: Eight tackles, pass defended, one tackle for loss and one sack (2 games). Released by 49ers.
Zayne Anderson (CB, Chiefs). Preseason totals: 10 tackles (3 games). Waived by Chiefs.
Isaiah Kaufusi (LB, Colts). Preseason totals: 16 tackles (3 games), one pass breakup, one tackle for loss. Waived by Colts.
Matt Bushman (TE, Raiders). Preseason totals: Three receptions (3 games). Waived by Raiders.
Zac Dawe (DL, Falcons). Preseason totals: Four tackles (3 games). Waived by Falcons.
John Denney (LS, Saints). Didn’t play in any preseason games for the Saints.
Chandon Herring (OT, Titans). Preseason totals: No stats (3 games). Waived by Titans.
Ziggy Ansah (DE, 49ers). Hasn’t re-signed with the 49ers after tearing bicep last year.
Troy Warner (S, Rams). Preseason totals: Four tackles (3 games). Waived by Rams.
Chris Wilcox (DB, Buccaneers). Preseason totals: Six tackles (3 games). Waived by Bucs.
Aleva Hifo (WR, Cardinals). Did not play in any preseason games for the Cardinals.
Tristen Hoge (OT, Jets). Preseason totals: No stats (2 games). Waived by Jets.
Bronson Kaufusi (TE, Packers). Preseason totals: No stats (3 games). Waived by Packers.
Corbin Kaufusi (OT, 49ers). Preseason totals: No stats (3 games). Waived by 49ers.
Micah Simon (WR, Panthers). Preseason totals: 0 catches on two targets (2 games). Waived by Panthers.
Kavika Fonua (DB, Panthers). Cut after mini-camp invite.
Dayan Lake (S, Rams). Reached injury settlement after being placed on injured reserve.
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