Former BYU Football Players Receive Jersey Numbers During NFL Rookie Camps
May 14, 2021, 3:41 PM | Updated: May 15, 2021, 1:20 am
BYU football defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga makes a play against Coastal Carolina (BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
(BYU Photo/Jaren Wilkey)
SALT LAKE CITY – The 2021 rookie class from the BYU football program is beginning their NFL careers at rookie minicamps. A total of 12 former BYU players were either drafted or signed undrafted free agent contracts with 11 different NFL franchises.
One of the rights of passage with reporting to rookie minicamps is receiving jersey numbers.
BYU Football: NFL Rookie class of 2021 jersey numbers
Here’s a list of the 12 BYU football rookies in 2021 and the jersey numbers they will be wearing this season.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets – #2
Now that Zach Wilson is officially going to wear No. 2, which #Jets jersey do you think looks the best? pic.twitter.com/HtIVlFnblf
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 13, 2021
Wilson caused quite a stir among New York Jets fans as to which number he would wear. Everyone assumed No. 1 would be the jersey he went with, but instead, he’s going with the No. 2, another single-digit, and the number coincides with where he was selected in the 2021 NFL draft.
Brady Christensen, Carolina Panthers – #70
Jersey numbers for rookie minicamp https://t.co/ZHvvqsOf3u
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) May 13, 2021
Christensen was the 70th pick in the 2021 draft; he will now rock the No. 70 with the Carolina Panthers, who are looking for him to provide an immediate impact at offensive tackle.
Khyiris Tonga, Chicago Bears – #95
BEAR DOWN! 😤@ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/x7w4wEtsUl
— Khyiris Tonga 🇹🇴 (@khyiristonga) May 14, 2021
Tonga maintains the same number he wore at BYU, No. 95. Tonga was seen in a group rookie photo with fellow Chicago Bear teammates that include QB Justin Fields.
Chris Wilcox, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – #29
Hey, rookies 👋 pic.twitter.com/MNZS3eCnTg
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) May 13, 2021
Wilcox goes from No. 32 at BYU to now No. 29 with the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dax Milne, Washington Football Team – #84
Rookie minicamp day 1️⃣ ✅ pic.twitter.com/0nvyiYBAzh
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) May 14, 2021
Milne wore No. 82 the first two seasons he played at BYU from 2018 to 2019. He switched to No. 5 his junior year. Now he goes to the 80’s with the WFT as no. 84.
Matt Bushman, Las Vegas Raiders – #84
Former #BYU TE Matt Bushman going through drills at day one of Las Vegas Raiders rookie minicamp.#RaiderNation @kslsports
📸: @Raiders pic.twitter.com/SYdMH2kaKw
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) May 8, 2021
84 is a great number for a tight end. Matt Bushman completed his rookie minicamp with the Raiders last weekend.
Tristen Hoge, New York Jets – #64
Cougars to Jets. @zachkapono1 and @HogeTristen are teammates again. pic.twitter.com/0kdi5tvUyM
— Woody Johnson (@woodyjohnson4) May 10, 2021
Hoge consistently wore No. 69 throughout his college career at Notre Dame and BYU. Now he will be at 64, as he competes to make the roster and have a role at the open spot at right guard along the Jets offensive line.
Isaiah Kaufusi, Indianapolis Colts – #41
The rookies are off and running. #ForTheShoe pic.twitter.com/epz3LzuZbh
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 14, 2021
Kaufusi was a mainstay with the No. 53 during his BYU career. As a member of the Colts, he will be rocking the number 41. The Colts wrapped up rookie minicamp last week.
Chandon Herring, Tennessee Titans – #68
Many, including @thorku at @NBCSports see @ChandonHerring of @BYUfootball as @Titans #1 UDFA signing. pic.twitter.com/C7jxpXRG1h
— Evan Brennan (@EvanTheAgent) May 14, 2021
Viewed as one of the top UDFA’s the Titans picked up, Herring lands the No. 68. Somewhere Kevin Mawae would be proud.
Troy Warner, Los Angeles Rams – #38
The next chapter 🔥 @RamsNFL pic.twitter.com/uImQl4GrdB
— Troy Warner (@TroWarner) May 14, 2021
Warner had some crisp numbers at BYU (11, 1, and 4). In the NFL as a rookie, you get what you can get. Number 38 it is.
Zac Dawe, Atlanta Falcons – #93
Highlights from day ☝️ at rookie minicamp 👀 pic.twitter.com/25csJE7JeB
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) May 14, 2021
The no. 93 probably frightens longtime Falcons fans because of former NFL draft bust and No. 1 overall pick Aundray Bruce. But hey, it’s a chance to rewrite the history of that number.
Zayne Anderson, Kansas City Chiefs – #6
Zayne Anderson is taking advantage of the NFL’s new uniform policy where defensive backs can wear single-digit uniform numbers.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12-3 pm) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
