LOCALS IN THE NFL
Former BYU Standout Added To NFL Team’s Practice Squad
Sep 5, 2022, 11:09 AM
Khyiris Tonga #95 of the Chicago Bears celebrates after a fumble recovery in the third quarter of the game against the New York Giants at Soldier Field on January 02, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
(Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a member of their practice squad.
The Falcons announced the addition of Tonga on Monday, September 5.
“OFFICIAL: We have signed DL Khyiris Tonga to our practice squad,” the Falcons tweeted.
OFFICIAL: We have signed DL Khyiris Tonga to our practice squad.
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) September 5, 2022
Tonga was previously a member of the Chicago Bears, who cut the defensive lineman on August 31.
Tough news for a former BYU standout in Tonga. #LocalsInTheNFL @kslsports https://t.co/cdtLS3sXrf
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) August 31, 2022
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Tonga is joining a Falcons team that finished the 2021 season with a 7-10 record.
He became the second former BYU player on Atlanta’s roster, joining rookie running back Tyler Allgeier.
Prior to his time in the NFL, Tonga was a standout player at Granger High School and BYU. He played for the Cougars from 2017-20.
During his time at BYU, Tonga recorded 130 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, five sacks, two forced fumbles, and 12 pass breakup in 50 games played.
Khyiris Tonga just invented the nose tackle blitz. You might want to block that guy #ouch #BYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/n6pWSzzEOL
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) September 27, 2020
Following his college career, Tonga was selected by the Bears with the No. 250 overall pick during the seventh round in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In his rookie season with Chicago, Tonga posted 24 total tackles, 10 solo tackles, and one fumble recovery in 15 games. The Bears had a 6-11 record last season.
The young guys are BALLIN'. @trevisgipson on the strip sack & @khyiristonga with the recovery. #NYGvsCHI | #DaBears pic.twitter.com/lNWgwRAejq
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) January 2, 2022
Atlanta opens its 2022 season at home against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, September 11 at 11 a.m. (MDT). The game will be televised on FOX.
Click here to see the local NFL players on practice squads and active rosters ahead of the 2022 regular season.
Kyle Ireland is a Locals in the NFL Insider for KSLSports.com and host of the Yards After College Podcast. Follow him on Twitter (@kyleireland) and Instagram (@kyleirelandksl).
