CLEVELAND-Saturday, as the NFL Draft drew to a close, three BYU alums were drafted in the last nine selections of the 7th Round, the final round of the league’s annual collegiate draft.
At No. 250 overall, the Chicago Bears selected defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga. This past season, the Granger High product posted 3.5 sacks, a forced fumble and five passes defensed.
During his career with the Cougars, the 6-4 321-pound Tonga netted 130 tackles (68 solo stops), 16 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed and two forced fumbles.
With the 251st overall selection, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected former Cougars defensive back Chris Wilcox. In 2020, the 6-2 195-pound defensive back posted 18 tackles (12 solo stops) and one pass defensed. In his career with the Cougars, he had 84 tackles (64 solo stops) and eight passes defensed.
At No. 258 overall, the Washignotn Football Team selected receiver Dax Milne, a former Bingham High School star.
In 2020, Milne had 1,255 scrimmage yards (1,188 receving yards) and eight scoring receptions.
In his career at BYU, Milne netted 1,648 scrimmge yards and 11 net scores.
Additionally, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Zayne Anderson as an undrafted free agent. In his BYU career, Anderson, a linebacker/defensive end had three interceptions and three forced fumbles along with 162 tackles (105 solo stops).
Other Cougars to sign as undrafted free agents included linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi with the Indianapolis Colts (3 sacks, interception, 3 forced fumbles in 2020), tight end Matt Bushman with the Las Vegas Raiders (125 receptions, 1,719 yards, 9 TD’s in his BYU career) and offensive lineman Chandon Herring with the Tennessee Titans.
As the evening progressed, other Cougars signed as undrafted free agents. They include defensive back Troy Warner who signed with the Los Angeles Rams. Warner had two interceptions last season for BYU.
Additionally, offensive lineman Tristen Hoge signed with the New York Jets and defensive lineman Zac Dawe signed with the Atlanta Falcons. Dawe had 4.5 career sacks, 13.5 tackles for a loss and 81 tackles (40 solo stops) for the Cougars during his collegiate career. He is a product of Pleasant Grove High School.
The Carolina Panthers also added a pair of Cougars as undrafted free agents: cornerback Kavika Fonua and receiver Micah Simon.
In his career at BYU, Fonua posted 149 tackles (81 solo stops), 7 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. Fonua is a Syracuse High School product.
In 2020, Simon had 56 touches for 663 scrimmage yards and four net scores. During his career for the Cougars, Simon posted 1,163 scrimmage yards and seven scores.
