BYU FB Pro Tracker: NFL Week 8, Big weekend for Cougs as Van Noy, Warner, Hill, and Williams all have big Games

Five Cougars saw action in Week 7 of the NFL’s regular season. Kyle Van Noy had eight tackles including one for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery, while Taysom Hill continued to do a little of everything (catch a pass, throw a pass, rush a few times, return kicks, defense on special teams), Fred Warner continued to be a tackle machine (8 more this week), and Jamaal Williams got his first TD of the season.

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 and the Chargers had a bye week. Season Totals: Seven games as a substitute; six solo tackles, two assisted tackles, one forced fumble.

John Denney (LS, Miami, No. 92).  Denny was the long snapper in Miami’s 42-23 loss to Houston. He played 10 snaps on special teams (29%) and recorded no stats. Season Totals: Eight games as a starter; one tackle, three assisted tackles

Taysom Hill (QB, New Orleans, No. 7).  Hill was actually listed as a starter at tight end (his first NFL start) in New Orlean’s 30-20 victory over Minnesota.  He continued to do a little bit of everything, recording -2 yards on three carries, one 44 yards pass that set up a touchdown, one five yard reception, and two kickoff returns for 50 yards. Hill played 18 snaps on offense (34%) and 18 on special teams (75%).  Season Totals: One game as starter, six games as a substitute; 21 rushes for 123 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, two-of-three passing for 54 yards, two receptions for 1 yards, nine kickoff returns for 220 yards, two solo tackles, one assisted tackle.

Kyle Van Noy (LB, New England, No. 53). Van Noy started at linebacker in New England’s 25-6 victory over Buffalo.  He had a monster game with seven solo tackles, one assisted tackle, one tackle for loss, two sacks, two quarterback hurries, and one forced fumble. Van Noy played 64 snaps on defense (100%) and eight more on special teams (29%). Season Totals: Eight games as starter; 31 solo tackles, 14 assisted tackles, one pass defended, three quarterback hurries, three tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, one touchdown on a blocked punt.

Fred Warner (LB, San Francisco, No. 48). Warner started at linebacker in San Francisco’s 18-15 loss to Arizona. He recorded six solo tackles, one assisted tackles, and had a fumble recovery.  Warner played all 66 snaps on defense (100%) and five snaps on special teams (19%).  He is now ranked no. 8 in the NFL in total tackles (65) and no. 7 in solo tackles (48).  Season Totals: Eight games as starter; 48 solo tackles, 17 assisted tackles, three tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, two passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery.

Jamaal Williams (RB, Green Bay, No. 30). Williams came in as a substitute in Green Bay’s 29-27 loss to the LA Rams.  He rushed four times for nine yards, including a five yard TD score.  Williams played 13 snaps on offense (25%) and four on special teams (12%). Season Totals: Five games as starter, one as substitute; 59 rushes for 234 yards, eight receptions for 57 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.  Season Totals: 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

  • Micah Hannemann (DB, L.A. Chargers, No. 35). It has been reported that Hannemann was signed to the Chargers practice squad on October 21. Preseason Totals: Four games, six solo tackles, one assisted tackle. He was waived by the Chargers on September 1st and then re-signed to the practice squad on October 21st.
  • Bronson Kaufusi (DE, New York Jets, 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.
  • 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).
  • 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 before being signed by New Orleans on September 27.
  • 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.
  • Tejan Koroma (C, Kansas City). After a promising summer was injured and waived prior to preseason.
  • ordan 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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