Evaluating BYU Prospects For 2026 NFL Draft

BYU's Jack Kelly breaks up a pass intended for Texas Tech's Cameron Dickey during the Big 12 Conference championship football game, Saturday, Nov. 6, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Now that the calendar has turned to April, football fans turn their attention to the NFL Draft. The draft occurs in Pittsburgh, PA this year, spanning three days from April 23 to April 25.

BYU has had a strong run of NFL prospects in recent years. Former Cougars like Puka Nacua, Taysom Hill, Fred Warner, Tyler Allgeier, and Kyle Van Noy among many others continue to make their mark in pro football.

Now, a new crop of Cougars look to make their NFL dreams come true. Let's take a look at those who played for BYU in 2025 and their outlook for possibly hearing their name called in the 2026 NFL Draft later this month.

Jack Kelly, LB

Frankly, there are not a lot of Cougars this year with much of a chance to actually get drafted within the seven rounds. Kelly seems like the likeliest. He certainly made an impression in his two seasons at BYU after transferring from Weber State, accumulating 106 tackles, 15 sacks, and 23.5 tackles for loss. He has the sideline-to-sideline range off-ball linebackers absolutely need in today's NFL.

NFL scouts are skeptical if Kelly can hold up in coverage and handle a down-to-down grind of an NFL season. However, his physical tools combined with him being a leader at BYU make him an attractive prospect. At worst, he could become an excellent special teamer and fill-in linebacker when needed.

Chase Roberts, WR

It would be somewhat surprising if Roberts actually gets drafted, but it would not be shocking if he signs quickly in the undrafted free agent frenzy. His initial 4.64 but he improved it to 4.51 at BYU's Pro Day. Still, he lacks high-end speed most NFL scouts want in their receivers.

However, being 6-foot-3 with good length and reliable hands, Roberts likely will earn favor with an NFL coach and get a good look during training camp. If he gets into the right system, with the right quarterback, it's not farfetched to believe Roberts can make a 53-man roster and produce during an NFL season.

Carsen Ryan, TE

If there was any other Cougar besides Kelly and Roberts that has a shot to get drafted, it's Ryan. He was productive in his lone season in Provo last year, hauling in 45 catches for 620 yards and three touchdowns, by far the best season of his career. He doesn't have elite traits but there's enough of everything to think that he could at least snag onto a practice squad spot and be a solid option at tight end for a needy team. He is a willing blocker who showed pass-catching chops last year, catching balls from Bear Bachmeier. While he won't grade out as elite in anything, he does enough different things well to garner a long look this summer.

Isaiah Jatta, OT

Jatta certainly has one thing working for him- he played significant snaps at BYU at both tackle spots. The coaches praise him for his football IQ. He was graded as one of the best run blocking tackles in the Big 12. He doesn't have the elite length that most coaches want in NFL tackles. However, given his experience, intelligence, and athletic profile, there's enough for an NFL team to take a flyer on him on a practice squad.

Will Ferrin, K

Ferrin won't get drafted, as only a select few kickers do. Still, there's a path for Ferrin to be an NFL kicker. Had he built on his stellar 2024 season, when he was First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 Co-Special Teams Player of the Year, he likely would be getting hype to be drafted. Unfortunately, 2025 was not as sharp. His field goal percentage dropped from 88.9% to 76.7%. Still, some of his late-game heroics and long-distance makes give NFL scouts cause for pause. He will likely get a shot to compete in an NFL camp somewhere with summer.

Mory Bamba, CB

Bamba is not getting much NFL hype. At least, that was until he posted a blistering 4.27 40-yard dash time at BYU's Pro Day. That would have been the fastest time at the NFL Combine among all cornerbacks. He did not garner an invite to the event, but he but his blazing speed on full display in Provo. He proved he can be explosive too, with a stellar 11-foot-1 broad jump, which is even better than corners who will likely get taken in the first few rounds of the draft like Brandon Cisse and Julian Neal. Bamba is exactly why Pro Days are so important. Perhaps an NFL team now has him on their radar that did not beforehand.