BYU FB Pro Tracker, NFL Week 4: Cougar alumni do a Little Bit of Everything

Six Cougars saw action in Week 3 of the NFL’s regular season, with five of those starting for their teams.  Fred Warner is no. 2 in the NFL in total tackles (43) as he again logged a double digit tackle outing.  Taysom Hill did everything again this week (rush, catch, throw, kick return).  Van Noy got a pretty exciting fumble recovery for that Pats.  And in one bizarre play two defensive players from BYU both had a tackle for two different teams.  It happened when L.A. kicked off to San Francisco in the 4th quarter Michael Davis tackled the kick returner and forced a fumble which was recovered by Dzubnar of L.A. Then, Fred Warner–who was playing special teams for the 49ers–tackled Dzubnar to end the play. Finally, Tomasi Laulile–who was cut from the Colts earlier this year–was signed to New Orlean’s practice squad this week.

Below are the summaries, statistics, and snap counts for each of the BYU alumni that played this week, as well as an update on the status of other unsigned players.

Michael Davis (CB, Los Angeles, No. 43). Davis came in as a substitute in L.A.’s 29-27 victory over San Francisco.  He recorded one special teams tackle and one forced fumble.  Davis played 20 special teams snaps (62%). Season Totals: Four games as a substitute; one tackle, one forced fumble.

John Denney (LS, Miami, No. 92).  Denny was the long snapper in Miami’s 38-7 loss to New England. He played eight snaps on special teams (32%) and recorded two assisted tackles. Season Totals: Four games as a starter, one tackle, two assisted tackles

Taysom Hill (QB, New Orleans, No. 7).  Hill again came in as a substitute in several different positions in New Orlean’s 33-18 victory over New York. He rushed four times for 28 yards (including on 19 yard scamper), completed 1-of-2 passes for ten yards (on a fake punt), caught one pass (for -4 yards), had a 16 yards kickoff return . Hill played 15 snaps on offense (21%) and 21 snaps on special teams (72%). Season Totals: Four games as a substitute; seven rushes for 67 yards, one-of-two passing for 10 yards, one reception for -4 yards, five kickoff returns for 127 yards, one assisted tackle

Kyle Van Noy (LB, New England, No. 53). Van Noy started at linebacker in New England’s 38-7 victory over Miami.  He recorded one solo tackle, two assisted tackles, one quarterback hurry, one fumble recovery, and one special teams tackle. Van Noy played 31 snaps on defense (63%) and six more on special teams (24%). Season Totals: Four games as starter; 11 solo tackles, nine assisted tackles, one pass defended, one quarterback hurry, one tackle for loss, one interception, one fumble recovery.

Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco, No. 48). Warner started again at linebacker in San Francisco’s 29-27 loss to the L.A. Chargers. He again recorded double digit tackles, with four solo tackles and six assisted tackles.  Warner played all 68 snaps on defense (100%) and 15 snaps on special teams (47%).  He ranks no. 2 in the NFL in solo tackles (32) and is also no. 2 in total tackles (43).  Season Totals: Four games as starter; 32 solo tackles, 11 assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, two passes defended, one forced fumble.

Jamaal Williams (RB, Green Bay, No. 30).  Williams was the starting running back in Green Bay’s 22-0 victory over Buffalo. He rushed 11 times for 27 yards.  Williams played 28 offensive snaps (37%). Season Totals: Four games as starter; 47 rushes for 162 yards, five receptions for 28 yards.

Injured Reserve

  • Ezekiel Ansah (DE, Detroit, No. 94). Ansah is still not active. He suffered a minor shoulder injury in Week one and has practiced on a limited basis.  SeasonTotals: One game as a starter, three solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hit, one sack
  • Daniel Sorensen (S, Kansas City, No. 49).  Sorensen suffered a tibial plateau fracture as an MCL injury and lateral meniscus tear in the knee during the preseason.  He underwent surgery in late August and will be re-evaluated at the end of September. Season Totals: No games, no stats

Practice Squads

  • Bronson Kaufusi (DE, Baltimore, No. 92). Preseason Totals: Five games, nine solo tackles, three assisted tackles, three tackle for loss, one pass deflection, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and one sack.  Kaufusi was waived by Baltimore on September 1st, and was picked up by the New York Jets the following week and added to their practice squad.
  • Tomasi Laulile (DT, New Orleans). Cut by Indianapolis in preseason but picked up by the Saints on September 27. Preseason Totals: Three games, three solo tackles, two assisted tackles, one tackle for loss, one quarterback hurry, one sack. Laulile was waived September 1st by the Colts, and worked out by Houston on September 4th but he is currently an unsigned free agent.

  • Dallin Leavitt (S, Oakland, No. 45). Preseason Totals: Four games, 16 solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one pass defended. Leavitt was waived by the Raiders on September 1st but added to their practice squad the next day.
  • Kai Nacua (S, Baltimore, No. 31). Preseason Totals: Four games, 12 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, one pass defended, one interception for a touchdown.  He was waived by the Ravens on August 31st but was resigned and added to the practice squad.
  • De’Ondre Wesley (OT, Buffalo, No. 74).  Preseason Totals: Three games, no stats.  Wesley was waived by the Bills on September 1st but re-signed the following day and added to the practice squad.

Cut Prior to the Regular Season.

  • Algie Brown (FB, Kansas City, No. 30). Preseason Totals: Two games, no stats.  Was waived by the Chiefs on September 1st and is currently an unsigned free agent.
  • Micah Hannemann (DB, L.A. Chargers, No. 35). Preseason Totals: Four games, six solo tackles, one assisted tackle. He was waived by the Chargers on September 1st and is an unsigned free agent.
  • Tejan Koroma (C, Kansas City). After a promising summer was injured and waived prior to preseason.
  • Harvey Langi (LB, New England, No. 48). Langi suffered an internal laceration after a hit in the first week of the preseason sat the remainder of the preseason due to concerns with his kidney.  He was waived by the Patriots on September 1st and is currently an unsigned free agent.  It has been reported that the Patriots plan to sign him to their practice squad if he clears waivers (and it was reported here that he was, but this is unconfirmed).
  • Jordan Leslie (WR, Denver, No. 19). Preseason Totals: Four games, nine receptions for 110 yards, one touchdown, two tackles.  Leslie was waived by the Broncos on September 1st and is currently an unsigned free agent.
  • Colby Pearson (WR, Atlanta, No. 84). Preseason Totals: Two games, no stats.  Pearson was waived by the Falcons on August 24th and is currently an unsigned free agent.
  • Jonah Trinnaman (WR, New York, No. 9). Preseason totals: One game, no stats. Trinnaman was waived by the Jets on August 30th and is currently an unsigned free agent.

For more information on each of these Pros, click on their names.  It will redirect you to their player profiles which include short summaries of their BYU and NFL careers.  During the season I will update these profiles with week-to-week game summaries and statistics. Note: Not all the profiles are up right now, but I’ll be adding most of them in the next week or two.

About Tyler Christensen 784 Articles
Tyler Christensen is a teacher, sports writer, speaker, and ultra-marathon runner. He is the founder of BYU Insider, D1 Recruiting, Virtual School Assembly, and After the Run. When he's not writing or speaking, he's spending time at home in southern Utah with his amazing wife and four children.
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