In addition to Ziggy Ansah being drafted fifth overall by the Detroit Lions in this year’s NFL Draft, six former BYU football players also signed free agent contracts with NFL teams this week and will compete in training camp for final spots on their rosters for the upcoming season.
Linebacker Brandon Ogletree, who led the Cougars in tackles with 102, signed with the Miami Dolphins and will join a talented linebacking corps in South Beach, along with former Cougar John Denney, who plays longsnapper for the Dolphins.
Offensive tackle Braden Brown signed a deal with the St. Louis Rams, while fellow offensive guard Braden Hansen signed with the Oakland Raiders. Both have received numerous postseason awards during their tenure at BYU. Brown was on the All-Independent team during this past season, while Hansen was on the preseason All-American 2nd team, but his season was cut short with injuries.
Nose tackle Romney Fuga and linebacker Uona Kaveinga both signed with the Denver Broncos, becoming teammates again. Fuga had 42 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season for the Cougars, while Kaveinga added 49 tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery to the nation’s third-best defense.
Additionally, cornerback Preston Hadley was invited to participate in minicamp for the Seattle Seahawks to attempt to make the team. Hadley had 66 tackles, an interception and seven pass breakups for the Cougar secondary.
“I’m proud of each of these young men for earning these opportunities with the NFL,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said in a news release. “Each has contributed a great deal to our program, and I’m looking forward to following their continued success beyond BYU.”
