Fred Warner has a great NFL debut, Kyle Van Noy helps Patriots shut down Deshaun Watson

Fred Warner (48) wasted no time adding his name to the list of former BYU Cougars who are playmakers in the NFL (Hannah Foslien, Getty Images)


The number of former BYU Cougars in the NFL has declined this year from the 11 we saw suit up at least one game in 2017. As of now, Jordan Leslie, Harvey Langi, Bronson Kaufusi, and Kai Nacua are not on active rosters. That could change throughout the season. Last year, Michael Davis and Leslie were not on a week one roster.

Despite the diminished number, Cougar fans will still find plenty of reasons to stay tuned throughout the season. Kyle Van Noy, Ezekiel Ansah, Jamaal Williams, and rookie Fred Warner should see considerable playing time, and provide plenty of highlights. Taysom Hill is still with the New Orleans Saints, and coaches could call on him at any moment to do anything.

Former Cougars Andy Reid is still the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, and Steve Sarkisian is in his second season as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons.

Kyle Van Noy, New England Patriots (1-0), W Houston Texans 27-20

Van Noy and the New England defense kept the electric Deshaun Watson in check. His biggest play of the game was a seven yard tackle for loss on the first play of the second half when the Texans tried a reverse. He finished the game with three tackles, and played in 49 defensive plays (66%) and seven special teams plays (22%).

 Regular Season  Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 3
 0 
 0 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 3 
 0 
0
 1 
 0 
 0
 0
 0
0
 0
 0
 Career (5 Yr) 
 144
 7.5 
 44 
 8 
 5 
 1
 0
 0
 1 
 0
 0 

Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints (0-1), L Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48-40

Hill played one offensive snap (2%) at quarterback on the first series of the game. It resulted in the Saints first touchdown. He was in on 29 special teams plays (88%).

 Regular Season  Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
 Season 
0
0
0
0
 0 
 0 
 0 
0
 0 
 0 
 Career (2 Yr) 
4
 0 
0
0
 0  
 0  
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Daniel Sorensen, Kansas City Chiefs (1-0) W Los Angeles Chargers 38-28

Sorensen is on injured reserved right now. An August 11 report on Chiefs.com stated he was expected to miss at least six weeks. He had surgery to repair a tibia fracture and is also recovering from a torn MCL.

 Regular Season  Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 DNP 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (5 Yr) 
 182 
 3.5 
 29 
 9 
 13 
 4 
 51 
 1 
 2 
 3 
 0 

Ezekiel Ansah, Detroit Lions (0-1) L New York Jets 48-17

Ansah had an impressive sack in the first quarter. It came on a third down and forced a punt. Ansah left the game in the first half with a shoulder injury. He played just 19 downs on defense (32%) and two snaps on special teams (6%). He finished the game with four tackles.


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 4 
 1 
 8 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 4 
 1 
 8 
1
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (6 Yr) 
 211 
 45 
 334 
 29 
 2 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 10 
 3 
 0 

John Denney, Miami Dolphins (1-0) W Tennessee Titans 27-20
Denney was the Dolphins long snapper on nine special team plays (four punts, three extra points, two field goals).

Jamaal Williams, Green Bay Packers (1-0) W Chicago Bears 24-23

Williams was Green Bay's leading rusher, but it wasn't very pretty. He was in on 37 offensive downs (62%).


 Rush  Yards  Ave.  TD  Fum  Rec.  Yards  Ave.  TD  Fum  FR 
 Last Game 
 15 
 47 
 3.1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 15 
 47 
 3.1 
0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (2 Yr) 
168
603
 3.6 
4
 0 
 25 
 262 
 10.5 
 2 
 0 
 0 

 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 N/A 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0
 Season 
0
 0
 0 
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (2 Yr) 
3
 0
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Fred Warner, San Francisco 49ers (0-1) L Minnesota Vikings 24-16

Warner has brought BYU back to the Bay, and in game one, he did it in a big way. He led the team in tackles with 12. One was a tackle for loss. He also forced a fumble that the 49ers recovered, and got credit for a pass defense. It was a the first time in five years that a 49ers defender filled the stat sheet in such a way.


 Some highlights are below.



Here is a link to a brief post game interview. Not only does he sound like a pro, but a mature professional. Warner played in all 71 defensive plays for the 49ers, and 11 special teams snaps (39%).



 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 12
0
0
1
1000100
 Season 
 12 
 0 
0
1
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
12
0
0
1
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 1 
 0 
 0 

Michael Davis, Los Angeles Chargers (0-1) L Kansas City Chiefs 38-28

Davis played exclusively on special teams in the loss--18 plays (60%).


 Tackles  Sacks  Yards  TFL  PD  Int  Yds  TD  FF  FR  TD 
 Last Game 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Season 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0
  0  
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 Career (1 Yr) 
 18 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 1 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 
 0 

Kickoff returns: 2 for 36 yards (2017)


The Editor appreciates all feedback. He can be reached via email at bluecougarfootball@gmail.com

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