BYU’s Single-Season Rushing Leader Tyler Allgeier Declares For 2022 NFL Draft
Dec 28, 2021, 10:29 AM | Updated: 10:37 am
Brigham Young Cougars running back Tyler Allgeier (25) smiles as he scores a touchdown as the BYU Cougars and Idaho State Bengals play at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)
PROVO, Utah – Tyler Allgeier has concluded his decorated BYU football career. The fourth-year sophomore made it official on Tuesday; he is declaring for the NFL Draft.
THANK YOU 💙#25Out pic.twitter.com/DEmONShMEB
— Ty (@tylerallgeier17) December 28, 2021
“I came to BYU in 2018 as a walk-on, ready to challenge the doubters and hungry to prove that I belonged. Four years later, after switching positions and earning my scholarship, I have achieved my football goals at BYU and believe that I am ready for the next challenge. After much thought, consideration and prayer, I will be declaring for the 2022 NFL Draft and pursuing my life-long dream of playing in the NFL,” wrote Allgeier in a social media post.
The 5-foot-11, 220-pound running back just concluded the best season by a ball carrier in BYU football history, rushing for 1,601 yards. That passed a 20-year record set by running back Luke Staley, who won the Doak Walker Award in 2001.
In four years at BYU, Allgeier rushed for 2,899 yards and 36 touchdowns. During the 2021 season, 23 of Allgeier’s career 36 scores this past fall.
Allgeier had the opportunity to return to BYU for another two seasons, thanks to the NCAA making last season a free year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This doesn’t come as a complete surprise as Allgeier was honored during BYU’s Senior Day festivities in the final home game at LaVell Edwards Stadium for the 2021 season back in November. Then the Fontana, California native put an exclamation mark on his career with a 192-yard, three-touchdown performance against UAB in the Independence Bowl.
“This was not an easy decision for me, primarily because of the wonderful people in Provo who have helped me along my journey. Thank you to my coaches – especially Coach Sitake, Coach Roderick, Coach Unga, Coach Lamb and Coach Tuiaki – for bringing me to Provo and believing in me. I was a long shot to make it as a walk-on, but you gave me this opportunity and I cannot thank you enough.”
Allgeier arrived at BYU as a preferred walk-on out of Kaiser High School in Fontana, California. During his prep career, he set area records that surpassed the likes of former BYU RB Jamaal Williams in high school with 5,086 rushing yards.
Tyler Allgeier is the third BYU football player to declare for the NFL draft. The others include OL James Empey and WR Neil Pau’u.
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 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
