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1. Khyiris Tonga, DT
Tonga and head coach Kalani Sitake have already stated Tonga’s hopes to leave BYU after this season and go to the NFL if feels that he will be a high enough draft pick. The junior to be played in all 13 games last season and caused havoc in both the running and passing game. Tonga has lost 20 pounds in the offseason, putting him at a slim 325 pounds now, in hopes of increasing his conditioning and motor. A big year could vault Tonga into a the top 3 rounds of the NFL Draft.
2. Matt Bushman, TE
Bushman has already been getting love as one of the nation’s top tight ends, as USA Today rated him the 4th best TE in the country and Mel Kiper put him as one of the top 5 underclassmen tight end prospects. Bushman has led BYU in receiving yards in each of the past seasons and could bolt early with a big year as a junior.
3. Dayan Ghanwoloku, DB
The first senior on this list, Dayan has been a staple in BYU’s secondary for years. Dayan has played both cornerback and safety at BYU, making his versatility one of his strengths. The first month of the season will be a big audition for him as BYU goes up against some talented WR units during the first four games of the year.
4. Tristen Hoge, OL
The top rated center in the class of 2015 will be looking to land on the radar of NFL scouts as a junior. Hoge performed well as a sophomore in 2018, but there were times when he was beat by linemen or had costly penalties. Hoge is a bit older for a junior due to his redshirt and the NCAA granting a waiver for an extra year of eligibility, so he’s also another one that could leave early if he lands on teams’ draft boards.
5. Ty’Son Williams, RB
Injuries and crowded backfields have limited Williams’ production during his time at South Carolina and North Carolina, but he’s shown that he’s a dynamic playmaker when given the chance. He’ll have every opportunity to be BYU’s lead back in 2018 ahead of Lopini Katoa and Emmanuel Esukpa. He’d likely need to get close to 1,000 yards to land on the radar of NFL scouts, but he has the ability to do so if he can separate himself from the other running backs early and stay healthy.
Others to Watch: Chris Wilcox, Zayne Anderson, Austin Lee, Troy Warner, Isaiah Kaufusi (JR)