Brown receiver Ty Pezza has 'decided to go for' his NFL dream

That baseline ability turned some heads and Pezza has been able to market himself during the predraft process through a Brown connection. His agent is Joe Linta, father of former Bears quarterback TJ Linta and a veteran in the business who represents clients such as Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Flacco, San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk, Green Bay Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie and New England Patriots defensive back Dell Pettus.

“It was great that I got a guy like him,” Pezza said. “He has the experience of having a bunch of big guys who have done really well in the NFL — huge contracts. He’s also done a lot of stuff with guys like me — Ivy League, FCS — who have made it.”

Pezza has gained 10 pounds since the close of the season for an anticipated move to tight end or H-back. He’s been able to use former teammate Mark Mahoney as a resource, a bigger receiver in college who made the same transition as an undrafted free agent with the Kansas City Chiefs. Pezza also collected 10 tackles on special teams this season — that's a role he’d likely need to embrace at the next level.

Ty Pezza runs with the ball while playing for North Kingstown in 2021.

“If I have a chance early on to play, it’s most likely going to be special teams,” Pezza said. “I think that’s kind of boosted my stock. Pairing that with having pass-catching ability and some experience in the blocking game — tailoring my game now more toward that.”

Pezza has spoken with or worked out for multiple NFL teams to date — the 49ers, Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots and others have been in touch. He took part in an open workout on campus with fellow receiver Solomon Miller and defensive back Elias Archie before going to a regional pro day at Bryant in late March. Pezza doesn’t expect to hear his name called during a three-day draft that starts with Thursday night's first round, but there’s more than one route to landing on an NFL roster.

“There’s going to be a lot more than I’m going to have to learn, especially in the blocking game,” Pezza said. “But, again, I did some of that stuff, too. Hopefully, I won’t be going in too blind.”

Will other players with RI ties be drafted by NFL teams?

Pezza should have some company from the state in taking the next step. AJ Peña and Ayinde Johnson are among those worth monitoring from the Rams while Michael Otty and Elijah Elliott could be among the Bulldogs who receive some interest.

URI Rams linebacker A.J. Pena after beating Campbell 31-20 in a season opener Friday night.

Peña left URI as the program’s all-time leader in multiple defensive categories. He profiles as an edge rusher or outside linebacker in a 3-4 defensive scheme, collecting 72 tackles, 21 tackles for loss at 11 sacks in 2025. Johnson totaled 70 tackles, 13 pass breakups and two interceptions as a disruptive defensive back.

Otty moved past an injury-riddled 2024 season with an impressive 2025 campaign, dominating along the defensive line. He finished with 17 tackles for loss, five sacks and two forced fumbles while lining up inside. Elliott finished with nearly 1,200 scrimmage yards, 14 total touchdowns and 44 catches as a potential three-down running back.

bkoch@providencejournal.com

On X: @BillKoch25

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Brown receiver Ty Pezza hopes to sign with an NFL team