Which BYU players could be selected in the 2027 NFL draft?

Which BYU players could be drafted in 2027?

Clearly, Sitake has put an emphasis on putting BYU players into the NFL, which is one of the reasons why the Cougars put on one of the best pro days in the country, if not *the* best. Visiting scouts and NFL representatives again marveled at the setup and organization in March, after the Big 12 put on its own combine in 2025 and 2024. “I want to put as many of our guys into the league as possible,” Sitake said in March. “That is the dream of almost every football player who suits up. … We talk to a bunch of teams about all of our guys, all of the time.” Since Sitake took over for Bronco Mendenhall in 2016, BYU has had 16 players taken in the draft. Here’s a closer look at BYU’s best prospects in 2026, in no particular order:

LJ Martin, running back

In our opinion, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Martin is BYU’s best bet to have a running back drafted since Tyler Allgeier — now with the Arizona Cardinals — was picked in the fifth round by the Atlanta Falcons in 2022. A three-year starter, when he’s been healthy, Martin is coming off shoulder surgery that kept him out of the Pop-Tarts Bowl. However, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2025 should pick up where he left off last year. The El Paso, Texas, product said after spring camp ended in late March that he’s close to 100% recovered and should be cleared to return to contact by the end of April. Martin said he returned in 2026 because he wants to continue to be a part of the BYU culture. “Coming out of high school, I wanted my coach to be someone I could look to as my father figure away from home,” Martin said. “Having Kalani as that guy has been great for me. That’s kind of what kept me in Provo.”

Cade Uluave, linebacker

Faletau Satuala, safety

Andrew Gentry, right tackle

Isaiah Glasker, linebacker

Others who could be in the mix

A quick look at others who could move on to some NFL draft boards if they have standout seasons and, in some cases, elect to give up their final seasons of eligibility and turn pro:

• **Walker Lyons, tight end —** USC transfer has the measurables and pedigree, so he might have a big decision to make if he puts up Carsen Ryan-like numbers for the Cougars in 2026 because he will have one more year of eligibility remaining after this year.
• **Keanu Tanuvasa, defensive lineman —** Although he started in all 14 games and was an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick, the Utah transfer didn’t have as huge of a year statistically as some expected. However, he was a captain, his leadership qualities are off the charts, and a lot of what he does on the field — such as take up two blockers — is difficult to quantify.
• **Siale Esera, linebacker —** Former four-star recruit from Timpview High has yet to stay healthy for an entire season, but the talent and measurables are there; like Lyons and Satuala, he will be eligible to return to college football in 2027 if he so desires.
• **Bruce Mitchell, offensive lineman —** Converted defensive lineman was an All-Big 12 selection and has shown a lot of versatility as a guard and center at BYU. However, BYU doesn’t put a lot of interior offensive linemen into the NFL, for whatever reason.
• **Evan Johnson, cornerback —** Certainly has the NFL bloodlines, as his father, Ron, was an NFL wide receiver for Philadelphia Eagles; “Schmev” could be the first BYU cornerback drafted since Chris Wilcox in 2021.

How did we do last year?

How well do we do in these annual projections? Last year at this time, we projected Glasker, Tanuvasa, offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho and the aforementioned Kelly, Roberts and Ryan as the most likely to get drafted. Of course, Glasker and Tanuvasa elected to return to the program in 2026 and therefore weren’t in the mix to be drafted, while Lapuaho battled injuries for a third straight season and apparently never caught the eye of any NFL teams this past season.