Early look at BYU football’s top prospects for 2027 NFL Draft
Apr 28, 2026, 3:56 PM | Updated: Apr 29, 2026, 11:11 am
PROVO, Utah – In the 16-team era of the Big 12 Conference, no team has won more games than BYU football.
Over the past two seasons, since the league expanded to 16 teams, BYU has won 23 games.
While the wins have been impressive, those victories haven’t led NFL front offices to rush to the podium at the NFL Draft to select BYU players.
In the past two drafts, BYU has produced two NFL Draft picks. Both of those selections were Day 3 draftees in the 2026 NFL Draft (EDGE Jack Kelly, Giants & TE Carsen Ryan, Browns).
Will that change in 2027 for BYU? It’s possible.
BYU football had many draft-eligible players this past winter who decided to “Run It Back” for one more season in Provo. The most noteworthy being reigning Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year LJ Martin at running back, defensive tackle Keanu Tanuvasa, and linebacker Isaiah Glasker.
All three of those players are back and have the talent and athletic profile to be drafted by an NFL team next season.
Still, is there a clear-cut Day 1 prospect from BYU for the 2027 draft class? As of now, probably not. But could someone experience a rise as former BYU quarterback Zach Wilson did five years ago? You never want to rule it out.
Past archive of early-look at top BYU football NFL Draft prospects: 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021
Then there are prospects such as Andrew Gentry, a starting right tackle for BYU, who has the prototype size to be an NFL lineman. If he continues to add on more quality film, watch for him to hear his name called.
Evan Johnson had a breakthrough season last year at cornerback. The former high school track and field star has carried that speed onto the football field, where he established himself as one of the Big 12’s best cornerbacks last season, recording five interceptions against BYU opponents in 2025.
To get a full breakdown of BYU’s top NFL Draft prospects in 2027, watch the Cougar Tracks Podcast episode at the top of the page.
BYU football players to watch for the 2027 NFL Draft
Listed alphabetically
- Andrew Gentry, OT | 6-8 | 315 lbs
- Isaiah Glasker, LB | 6-5 | 240 lbs
- Evan Johnson, CB | 6-0 | 185 lbs
- Walker Lyons, TE | 6-4 | 245 lbs
- LJ Martin, RB | 6-2 | 225 lbs
- Bruce Mitchell, IOL | 6-4 | 305 lbs
- Faletau Satuala, SAF | 6-4 | 215 lbs
- Keanu Tanuvasa, DT | 6-4 | 300 lbs
- Cade Uluave, LB | 6-1 | 235 lbs
Others considered: Roger Saleapaga (TE), Paki Finau (OL), Bodie Schoonover (DE), Raider Damuni (SAF).
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
