The Chicago Bears Select Former BYU DL Khyiris Tonga During Seventh Round Of 2021 NFL Draft
May 1, 2021, 4:32 PM | Updated: 5:07 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)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Chicago Bears selected former Granger High and BYU defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga with the No. 250 overall pick during the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
The seventh round of the NFL Draft took place in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, May 1.
BREAKING: With the No. 250 overall pick in the 2021 @NFLDraft, the @ChicagoBears select former @BYUfootball DL Khyiris Tonga (@khyiristonga). #LocalsInTheNFL #NFL #NFLDraft #BYU #GoCougs #BYUFOOTBALL pic.twitter.com/nQy0Y0ZWxU
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) May 1, 2021
Khyiris Tonga at Granger High
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Before his time at BYU, Tonga was a standout player for Granger High School.
He was rated as a two-star player in the class of 2017 by 247Sports.
Tonga signed with BYU in early 2017.
Khyiris Tonga at BYU
After his high school career, Tonga played for the Cougars from 2017-20.
Forever grateful for @khyiristonga!! 🤙💙 pic.twitter.com/BLUxDsMWep
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 30, 2020
He played in 13 games as freshman and finished his first season with 19 total tackles, nine solo tackles, two sacks, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and three pass breakups.
In his sophomore campaign, Tonga had 30 total tackles, 20 solo tackles, two sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and two pass breakups in 13 contests.
As a junior in 2019, he had 45 total tackles, 28 solo tackles, one sack, four tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, and two pass breakups in 13 games.
In 11 games played during his senior year, Tonga had 36 total tackles, 12 solo tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, three quarterback hits, and five pass breakups.
Khyiris Tonga just invented the nose tackle blitz. You might want to block that guy #ouch #BYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/n6pWSzzEOL
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) September 27, 2020
Tonga helped the Cougars to an 11-1 record in his final season in Provo.
The defensive lineman finished his college career with 130 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, five quarterback hits, and 12 pass breakups.
The 2021 NFL Draft
The 2021 NFL Draft takes place from April 29-May 1. Click here to learn more about how to watch, stream, or listen to coverage of the NFL Draft.
It’s officially @NFLDraft week!
Here are all of the ways you can watch or listen to the picks from Thursday to Saturday. 📺📻🖥📱⌚️#LocalsInTheNFL #YACPodcast #NFL #NFLDraft https://t.co/FJ69McAlRH
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 26, 2021
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
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