Khyiris Tonga Announces He Is Returning To BYU For Senior Year
Dec 31, 2019, 5:40 PM | Updated: 7:21 pm
BYU defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga celebrates a sack on Hawaii Warriors quarterback Cole McDonald Saturday, Oct. 13, 2018. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – The good news keeps rolling in for BYU football. Defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga announced on New Year’s Eve that he would be returning to BYU for his senior season in 2020.
Tonga, a three-year starter for the Cougars, was mulling over a decision to forego his senior year and declare for the NFL Draft. Instead, he’s going to play one more year in Provo.
— Khyiris Tonga 🇹🇴 (@khyiristonga) January 1, 2020
“Trust the coaches. Trust the process. Trust family. I have decided to stay at BYU for my senior year. See you in 2020! Go Cougs,” said Tonga on his social media announcement.
In his first three seasons at BYU, Tonga has recorded 94 tackles and five sacks, along with two quarterback hurries and seven pass breakups.
Tonga’s decision comes on the heels of teammate Matt Bushman announcing that he would also be returning to BYU for his senior season instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.
A native of West Valley City, Utah, Tonga played tight end in high school and has excellent athleticism for a guy who’s 6’4″ and 321 pounds. Back in June, during BYU’s summer testing drills, Tonga ran a hand-timed 4.91 40-yard dash.
That speed and agility from Tonga will leave the NFL scouts waiting for at least one more year.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
