LOCALS IN THE NFL
Tyler Allgeier Puts Together Solid Performance In NFL Debut
Aug 12, 2022, 10:26 PM | Updated: 10:47 pm
Former BYU football running back Tyler Allgeier could emerge as the bell cow ball carrier in his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU running back Tyler Allgeier made his NFL debut on Friday night.
The fifth-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons was in his first pro action. He showed well.
BYU’s Tyler Allgeier showing the nation what he’s all about
— WestCoastCFB (@WestCoastCFB) August 13, 2022
In Atlanta’s 27-23 win over the Detroit Lions, Allgeier rushed the ball three times for 25 yards. One of his runs in the third quarter popped off for 15 yards. His other two carries were each worth five yards apiece.
But the play from Allgeier, which was his most impressive, came in the form of a block.
People are gonna talk about Desmond Ridder and Jared Bernhardt on this play (as they should), but HELLO TYLER ALLGEIER would like a word. https://t.co/5kP3634K0S
— Tori McElhaney (@tori_mcelhaney) August 13, 2022
On Atlanta’s game-winning touchdown pass, Allgeier stepped up and picked up a blitz. Allgeier picking up that block allowed his rookie teammate Desmond Ridder, a quarterback from Cincinnati, to extend the play and make a pass downfield. The pass landed in the hands of Jared Bernhardt.
The touchdown gave Atlanta the lead and ultimately the victory.
“Tyler’s a tough kid. …Absolutely, that’s why we drafted him,” said Falcons head coach Arthur Smith on Allgeier’s blitz pickup. “That’s the stuff we value. You don’t just magically happen on gameday and that’s the way we train. If you come out to one of our practices, you’ll see how these guys compete in practice. It’s good to see it show up. We know we have a lot of work. It’s a preseason game. But I like this team. I’m thankful every day I get to coach this team.”
Coming into Atlanta’s training camp, Allgeier was receiving buzz as a potential “bell cow” running back for the Falcons. Friday’s performance likely didn’t hurt that potential role for the rookie that set the single-season rushing record at BYU.
The next appearance for Allgeier and the Falcons will be against the New York Jets on August 22.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.
