Isaiah Kaufusi Makes Impressive Fourth Down Stop During Colts Debut
Aug 15, 2021, 2:51 PM | Updated: 2:51 pm
WESTFIELD, IN - JULY 30: Indianapolis Colts linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi (41) runs through a drill during the Indianapolis Colts training camp practice on July 30, 2021 at Grand Park Sports Complex in Westfield, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU star Isaiah Kaufusi is already making a name for himself with the Indianapolis Colts.
The undrafted free agent earned some praise for his play during his first preseason appearance in the NFL. Kaufusi forced a turnover on downs in the third quarter, recording a tackle for loss on Carolina Panthers rookie running back Spencer Brown.
It was a 4th & 2 and the Panthers were on the move in a tightly contested game.
Rookie Isaiah Kaufusi makes a huge stop and forces the turnover on downs 😤💪@isaiah_kaufusi | @Colts
📺: #CARvsIND on @NFLNetwork (or check local listings)
📱: https://t.co/ItciNYd3S4 pic.twitter.com/gccxqGXIRy— NFL (@NFL) August 15, 2021
Maybe the best part was the commentary for the announcers on the call. Former NFL player and coach Rick Venturi said, “Great play, short yardage, all of it. Kaufusi of the famous Kaufusi family from BYU.”
The Colts won the game 21-18 to cap off week one of the NFL preseason slate. Kaufusi made a great case for himself to earn a spot on Indianapolis’ 53-man roster. The Salt Lake City native recorded a team-high five tackles. Two of Kaufusi’s five tackles were solo plays.
Isaiah Kaufusi at BYU
During his four seasons at BYU, Kaufusi put up a total of 204 tackles, five sacks, five interceptions, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries in his career. Kaufusi’s former position coach at BYU, Ed Lamb, credited Kaufusi as one of the more remarkable stories in the program for his rise up the depth chart from seldomly used player to captain and leader of the defense.
Kaufusi and the Colts are back in action on Saturday, August 21, when they go on the road to face the Minnesota Vikings. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. (MT).
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.
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